Girls in the country should not take things for granted but set future goals in the early stages of their lives, a cabinet minister has said.Venantie Tugireyezu, the Minister in the Office of the President, who was presiding over an Imbuto Foundation awards ceremony in Kirehe District at the weekend, said such a virtuous living would benefit the country in the long-run.“You must live a meaningful life with goals. Take nothing for granted. We want a bright future for Rwandan children,” Tugireyezu told students at the function.At the ceremony, attended by parents, students and various government officials, Imbuto Foundation awarded certificates and prizes to the best performing school girls and cows to Guardian Angels (Malayika Murinzi) in Ngoma, Kirehe and Kayonza districts.The awards to best performers were meant to encourage girls to work hard at their studies.Guardian Angels refers to people who offer a helping hand in the community by taking care of children, especially orphans without relatives.The awards are an initiative of the Imbuto Foundation, for which First Lady Jeannette Kagame is founder and patron.Commendable workTugireyezu said the Guardian Angels were doing commendable work, adding that Imbuto Foundation’s recognition encouraged communal spirit where parents took care of each child as their very own.“Imbuto Foundation is committed to promoting girls’ education. They [girls] should take up the opportunity to pursue education availed to them,” she said.Tugireyezu advised the students to work hard and be exemplary in the different communities they come from.One of the six Guardian Angels that were rewarded said the recognition took him by surprise.“My wife and I accepted to take care of a two-month-old orphan. The baby is now two-and-a-half years old. We did all this with no hope of recognition from anybody, absolutely nothing. That we are given prizes and a cow makes us happy and willing to help even more,” said the Guardian Angel recognition winner.
