Invaluable innovations acting as magnet for investment

You will realize that roads from all over the world, are leading to Rwanda. However, this has been hard earned following a favorable atmosphere created by the current government, through stepping up of various sectors like security, tourism and infrastructure. This has earned the country a good mark abroad, said Vincent Karega, minister of state for industry and investment promotion. “Among other crucial factors, that highly determine foreigner’s coming into any country, is security, and one cant fail to recognize how Rwanda has been upfront as far as this issue is concerned,” adds Karega in an interview recently. A multiplicity of foreigners, have flocked Rwanda, from different destinations, some have come in groups, while others have come on individual basis. They have all come with unique pursuits; some have come with investment motives, religious missionaries while others have come on humanitarian grounds, thus helping the disadvantaged groups in our society. More have come as expatriates in different capacities. What is central to most of them, is that they come in the name of prudence, with new positive things to the country, which indeed have impacted on our country in one way or another. There are other church-based undertakings, which have been pioneered and engineered by foreigners, in collaboration with the domestic people. Home of hope, a Canadian based Christian organization is one of many such organizations empowering Rwandans in getting relevant skills to start income generating projects. Recently, they marked one year of existence in Rwanda. According to Krist Howard, one of the organization coordinators, more projects aimed at addressing poverty are in pipeline. For them to come to Rwanda, Pastor Brian Thomson, who is the organization founder, heard about the tragedy that befell the country in 1994 and decided to come to Rwanda and extend a hand of compassion to many survivors of the Genocide. The first thing that struck him about the country, is the fact that it is one of the country with the largest population of children raising children in the whole world, with 101,00 children as heads of their households. ‘‘We were so heartbroken to realize that over 613,000 orphans, are as victims of innocent killings and HIV/AIDS are somewhere suffering. We decided to come, and offer at least a shoulder to lean on and a trace of hope,’’ said Kristi. Home of hope came to Rwanda in September 2006, by constructing a church in January 2007, in Karuruma, Gasabo district. This kick-started their activities in Rwanda. They have gone a head to buy 11 acres of land, on which they are planning to construct schools, a medical clinic, a church and duplexes for widows and children. The Home of hope, is currently sponsoring 350 children in Rwanda, 50 in desperate need, and 308 children are total orphans. They have also introduced other self-help projects, which include vocational skills provision like a sewing class, which has absorbed girls ranging from 14-18 years, most of which are orphans of genocide. Others are music classes which include drum lessons, guitar, and key board, plus singing, using the newly bought music facilities. Among other projects they have in place, are literacy classes, teaching English language, and local languages. Kristi, further revealed, that in their fight against malaria, they have donated 50 mosquito nets to various families. This comes as the one of their implemented plans to fight against malaria. Pastor Stephen Nshmimana is one of the beneficiaries of their projects, who is also a pastor and caretaker. He said with the coming of those friends from Canada to Jabana; a lot has changed, and have been an inspiration to all kinds of people. ‘‘Our disadvantaged people, mostly orphans and widows have been greatly helped and given hope for a better present and future,’’ remarked a visibly grateful pastor. Micro loans have been given to some people, as a strategy of curbing poverty from their beneficiaries. Home of hope, has now embarked on selecting people to support in undertaking poultry farming and vegetable growing, such that, they can market the products on the domestic, or foreign markets, Canada being the first, since they have an upper hand there. Widows were given one hundred dollars each, to trade in various businesses, like eggs, but this was after giving them some business management skills. Of recent, the Ministry of Health, allowed them to start a medical clinic, and urged them to involve the community, something they have considered significantly, in their undertakings. Home of hope has also supported genocide survivors, and they have pledged substantial support to the electrification initiative, in Jabana village, said Pastor Nshimimana. Rwanda is the first African country; Home of hope has been to and introduced projects, central to community development and welfare of the vulnerable groups. I reached their field offices in Jabana, shortly after their founder pastor Thomson, had traveled back to Canada on an urgent mission, but the people I found there, expressed sheer enthusiasm and high regard for Rwanda. Ends