The plight of Genocide widows and orphans is everyone’s concern

The 100-day commemoration period for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi ended last Tuesday, with the Minister of Sports and Culture, Protais Mitali, promising to address issues faced by elderly Genocide widows. The national organisation of widows of the Genocide, Avega Agahozo, explained to the Minister that the widows, especially those over 70, had lost all hope and were unable to take care of themselves. This situation is extremely unfortunate. The welfare of the over 2,500 destitute widows living in various parts of the country shouldn’t only fall on the shoulders of the Government, Ibuka (survivors’ umbrella) and Avega Agahozo. Our culture demands that each and every Rwandan who can render some assistance should do so.Ibuka and Avega Agahozo should work with the Government to devise ways of involving the larger community.The Rwandan people have, in the past, shown a lot of generosity, though various initiatives such as the One Dollar Campaign, instituted by members of the Rwandan Diaspora. The Government doesn’t have to bear the burden alone. Our culture teaches us to take care of the elderly and it’s a stain on all of us that they are living their last years in abject poverty. We all have a role to play in improving this unfortunate situation.

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The plight of Genocide widows and orphans is everyone’s concern