Minister inaugurates survivors’ association

MUHANGA — The Minister of Youth, Protais Mitali, has urged youths to fight the Genocide ideology in order to restore the tainted image of the country. “The first option is to study. As intellectuals, students should be part of the struggle to change the history of this country. The government counts on the power of the youth today in changing the bad history-which characterised the youth in the past,” Mitali said. He made the remarks while inaugurating the Students Association of Genocide Survivors, at Kavumu College of Education (AERG-KCE) over the weekend. Mitali said that the government has embarked on training youth in order to empower them to manage the effects of Genocide- such as poverty, HIV/Aids. “The students can change a bad history…because they are able to distinguish between good and wrong,” he stated. The Minister asked the association to accommodate all willing members, saying this will strengthen them and foster unity. AERG-KCE student’s chairman, Emmanuel Sibomana, said the 30-member association, was formed partly to address issues of survivors. “We intend to uphold the primary objectives of AERG: to commemorate, prevent Genocide and design means of survival,” he said. Sibomana, revealed that a unity and reconciliation club will be launched soon, adding that accommodation remains the biggest challenge for some survivor students. Local leaders and school officials promised continued support and advocacy to the association. They also implored the students to be agents of change, development and be exemplary citizens. The function was also attended by MP Jean Thierry Karemera. Ends