KIE reaches out to Genocide widows

KAMONYI - Staff and members of the Student Genocide Survivors Association (AERG) at the Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) over the weekend rallied round Genocide widows grouped under their organization, GIRIMPUHWE, to develop kitchen gardens in Kamonyi District, Southern Province. During the visit, ten kitchen gardens were set up next to houses belonging to the widows. A beneficiary, Pélagie Kantengwa, told The New Times that such gardens would not only enrich their every day diet, but also boost their income generation. “We will sell vegetables harvested in case of surplus. The money will push the activities of the association further,” said Kantengwa. Speaking during the visit, KIE Rector Prof. George Njoroge, said that the visit was geared towards improving Genocide survivors’ welfare. “Developing kitchen gardens has strong ties with this year’s theme since no one can preserve his or her dignity while living in poverty,” he said, adding that the visit was in line with one of KIE’s core objectives of having close attachment to the community. This year’s theme is ‘Upholding the truth, preserving our dignity’. The Coordinator of AERG at the National level, Egide Gatari, urged members of the association to join efforts to defeat hunger, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and other problems that hinder development. Besides a donation of Rwf 433,000 to the association, AERG provided seeds and offered guidance on maintenance of kitchen gardens to ensure abundant yields. Ends