Rwandans and the world have ushered into a holiday season, during which tens of festivities are held to celebrate, among others, Christmas Day, and New Year. Christmas and New Year are the most popular festive holidays for Christians in particular who hold Christmas as the most religious festival on the calendar. However, a quick tour across hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools, nursing homes, and other places where vulnerable people live, Rwandans have prioritized acts of charity. During this festive season, charity centers are offering opportunities for the most vulnerable people to enjoy the holidays. As Boxing Day arrives, traditionally marked by the opening of gifts exchanged on Christmas, acts of charity are not only helping people to enjoy but are also bringing necessary support those in most need. While many are busy unwrapping presents, several organizations dedicated to charitable work are helping those in need experience the true spirit of Christmas. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Mothers’ bundles of joy, gratitude, on Christmas Day The charitable efforts have brought hope, comfort, and a sense of belonging to many struggling to meet their basic needs. Whether in hospitals, impoverished communities, or with vulnerable individuals, the focus this season has been on sharing and giving back. The Open Heart Team, a charity that works with vulnerable people, especially poor people in hospitals, emphasized the importance of their mission, especially during the festive season. The organisation said that many people in hospitals, particularly those with limited resources, find it challenging to afford necessities like food, medicine, and hygiene supplies. ALSO READ: IN PICTURES: How Christmas celebrations unfolded in Kigali Some patients can’t even afford basics like soap, and many are unable to purchase the medication they need to recover,” representatives of the Open Heart Team who preferred anonymity said. They added that in hospitals, parents are focused on paying bills, which prevents them from being able to care for Christmas. We buy them snacks, juices, and clothes for the mothers. During Christmas, we go the extra mile, providing additional support. This year, for instance, we bought milk for babies who don’t have access to breastfeeding, distributed biscuits, and shared festive meals to ensure everyone feels the joy of Christmas, they added. ALSO READ: Recollections of Christmases past: why I am sharing beef with a neighbour Inshuti Z’Abakene (Friends of the Poor), a local charity based in Gatenga Sector, continued its tradition of supporting the underprivileged, especially during Christmas. Felly Fine Mukarugwiza, the organization’s assistant chairman, highlighted this year’s efforts, saying, “On Christmas Day, we usually provide food packages to the people we support, but this year, we also shared meals with impoverished neighbors and street children who would have otherwise gone without it.” Mukarugwiza added, We delivered food to eight needy families, and on Christmas Eve, we handed out essentials like porridge flour, sugar, and rice. Our goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to celebrate Christmas. Inshuti Z’Abakene’s acts of charity aren’t limited to the festive season. The organization consistently supports children born HIV-positive in Busanza and elderly individuals with no one to care for them in Giticyinyoni. Our support doesn’t stop with Christmas, Mukarugwiza emphasized. We care for these individuals year-round, but during this time, we take extra steps to share festive meals and spread joy. Another notable effort came from the Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa (BCIEA) Inc., led by its founder, Philippa Kibugu Decuir. BCIEA has been actively involved in sharing meals and having meaningful conversations with individuals affected by breast cancer. As part of their efforts, they have also offered gifts related to cancer awareness, as highlighted by Kibugu Decuir. “We have gathered together, taken pictures, and brainstormed ideas for what we will do next year at the Pink Awareness House in Nyarugunga Sector, Kicukiro District,” said Kibugu Decuir. “Our focus is on making sure those affected by breast cancer feel supported and encouraged during this time of year.” In addition to their holiday activities, BCIEA is planning to visit Ruhengeri Hospital on Friday, where they will present prosthetic replacements to women who have lost their breasts due to cancer. “This visit will allow us to give prosthetic breast replacements to these women, which we hope will help them regain their confidence and feel whole again,” Kibugu Decuir added. BCIEA’s efforts also include their ongoing campaign, “Ikunde, Imenye, Isuzumishe,” which translates to Love Yourself, Know Yourself, Get Checked.
