American organisation constructs $16m school for orphans

EASTERN PROVINCE RWAMAGANA — An American Jewish international organisation, Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is constructing a school worth $16 million [about Frw8.65] for genocide orphans in Rubona sector, Rwamagana district. The school for skills-development called Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) will benefit over 500 orphans of the 1994 Genocide. Sifa Nsengimana, the executive director of ASYV, while touring the site on Thursday observed that Agahozo is a home away from home. He said the project is in line with JDC’s non-sectarian efforts towards restoring hope to Rwandan orphans; by providing a protected residential and a rehabilitating environment. He said: It will protect children from abuse and exploitation, and act as a springboard to model future cadres of educated and motivated Rwandans prepared to shape their country’s future. Some of the services to be provided include; innovative educational programmes, sports, a health clinic, and psychological services. The first phase of construction is expected to be completed by the end of this year, while mid next year is proposed as tentative date of opening. Nsengimana further said the school will offer scholarships to orphans to help them further their education, in order to develop Rwanda’s development ambitions. During the same tour, Judge Ellen M. Heller, the JDC president noted that it was absurd to see the young suffer from errors which are not of their own making. Therefore, our efforts are built in partnership with American, Israel, and Rwandan communities to provide children with a holistic and protective environment, thus helping them to overcome trauma and abandonment. Heller said the center built on 58 acres of land seeks to provide a comprehensive and targeted response to the problem of orphans in the country through the establishment of a multi-faceted youth village. She said they (JDC) expect beneficiaries to in future help and train other Rwandans and hopefully even open-up another centre. Alphonsine Murekatete, the district vice Mayor for social affairs observed that orphans remain a big challenge in the district. She appreciated the efforts of JDC towards constructing the school, saying it will leave a great impact in the lives of orphans, community and the country at large. JDC began their humanitarian efforts in 1994 by providing medical care in refugee camps in DR Congo town of Goma. It later started providing scholarships to some Rwandan refugees to encourage survivors of the 1994 genocide pursue their future through education. Today, JDC’s efforts are focused on mobilising resources and invaluable expertise from America, Israel, and Rwanda to empower ASYV to help orphans of the genocide across Rwanda.Ends