Western Province The Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) recently commissioned houses for ex-combatants living with disabilities in Karongi District. “We have come to know that we are also human beings who can contribute a lot to the society. I never expected to live in such a modern house like this. This is a great service the commission has offered us,” says Moses Kabera, one of the beneficiaries of the ‘special’ houses in Bwishyura Sector. Since June last year, the commission has built 17 houses for ex-combatants with physical impairment in the Western province. The houses, according to RDRC chairman, John Sayinzoga, are grouped into two types depending on ones’ state of disability. Among 17 houses built in the province, 10 are categorised as ‘standard’ each valued at Rwf.11 million, while seven houses are categorised as ‘special’ each valued at Rwf13 million. The RDRC officials contend that the activity centered around this sort of support is in line with the implementation of the law No. 02/2007 protecting war veterans who were injured while at the battle fronts. Consequently the houses are built in a style bearing the veterans’ state of disability. Special houses A special house, according to Sayinzoga, is built for an ex-combatant with category one disability, especially those moving in wheel chairs mainly amputees. Each special house is built in a modern standard with a sitting room, two bed rooms, a store, a kitchen, toilet and birth room, and a water tank is installed. Kabera told The New Times that the offer by the commission to construct shelter for them was beyond their expectations. “They have helped us greatly. Beyond providing houses, the commission even provides us with various other necessities for those with very special needs like us…it is just amazing,” he explains with a beaming face. Standard houses A Standard house is built for those who have disability but can at least manage to walk. They include those with visual impairment, those who lost arms, and those with mental disability. The war veterans say that the commission’s gesture is an indication that they have a vital role to play in the society. The war veterans added that the commission builds houses in the beneficiary’s place of choice. “They first asked us to choose places where we will be comfortable to stay. No one was given a house outside his place of choice. The government has really showed the confidence it has in us,’ Eliezer Sahabo, 36, another beneficiary from Nyarusazi cell said. Sahabo received a ‘special’ house which he says is a dream come true for him. “This house suits my life situation. It has wide doors to allow free movement of my wheel chair to the bedroom and every other room,” he says. Antoine Ngomukubwire, another beneficiary of the standard house in Rubengera Sector, says he was lost for words ever since he moved into his new home. “When I became impaired, I though it was end of the road for me. This is a surprise from the government. I don’t know how to express my gratitude,” he said. While commissioning the houses, Sayinzoga, warned area leaders against discriminating people with disabilities, saying they are resourceful citizens. “These people have a lot of experience in different fields. They can contribute a lot to develop their respective areas, leaders should not neglect them but rather seek advice from them when needed,” he said. Sayinzoga urged the ex-combatants to initiate income generating activities, promising that the commission will continue to support them. Ends
