Kwita Izina awareness campaign kicks off

As the annual naming of young gorillas (Kwita Izina), approaches charity activities leading up to the event, slated for next Saturday, have raised its momentum.Yesterday, children conducted a race for fun in Musanze district as sportsmen concurrently undertook a bicycle race all the way from Kigali to Rubavu district.Rica Rwigamba, the Head of Tourism and Conservation at Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said that the aim is to rally for support and create more awareness about the annual event.She pointed out that there was need to connect and inform as many people as possible so as to the give the day more meaning.“Each year our target is to have more people participate compared to the previous year, that is why we try to create enough awareness ahead of the day,” Rwigamba said.She explained that involving the youth and children is aimed at raising a generation which values the importance of tourism and environmental conservation.Alexis Muhayimana, one of the youths who participated in the race observed that the annual naming of young born gorillas is a very unique and important occasion that deserves enough attention from Rwandans.“I imagine that there is some revenue which is registered after successfully conducting this day. It is therefore our responsibility to make the world know more about it,” he said.A statement recently released by RDB says that over Rwf1.4 billion was spent during the past 8 years in support of community based projects like the provision of clean water, sanitation, schools and other social amenities and over 220 projects financed. According to the statement, the annual disbursement grew from an initial Rwf 41 million in 2005 to Rwf 256 million this year, as arrivals to Rwanda grew to 908,000 visitors in 2011, generating estimated gross revenue of $252 million.These schemes have turned out to be beneficial because poaching and encroachment of parks has significantly reduced as the communities now act as watch dogs to keep animals and national parks safe. Particularly in Akagera, the communities are now protected from straying animals by an electric fence which in the past not only raided farms, but also destroyed other property and caused injuries and loss of life.