Housing still a challenge, genocide widows say

HUYE - Genocide widows in the Southern Province, grouped under the association, AVEGA Agahozo, say shelter is still their biggest challenge. About 500 out of 8,800 members of AVEGA Agahozo in the province are lacking shelter . The widows, meeting in Huye district last Saturday, appealed to the government and well wishers for assistance. They lamented that some houses which were constructed for vulnerable genocide survivors were poorly built and have started collapsing. Josephine Murebwayire, the vice chairperson of AVEGA Agahozo, urged the participants not to despair, saying those without houses would get them. “We know there are many survivors who lack shelter. AVEGA in conjunction with the government is doing its best to see that everyone without means is supported,” Murebwayire said. However, she added, AVEGA will see to it that deterrence is instituted to stop those bent on selling off the houses they receive from the government. The Huye vice-Mayor in charge of Economic Affairs, Marie Claire Mukamusonera, reaffirmed the district’s commitment to helping survivors. “We assist vulnerable survivors the way we help other vulnerable people,” she said. Ends