Rwanda

The International Volunteer Day celebrated in Rwanda

Kigali, 05 December 2005: Organized by the United Nations System in Rwanda, the local volunteer organizations and the Municipality of Kibuye, the International Volunteer Day for 2005 was celebrated in Kibuye province. Hundreds of UN Volunteers, international and national, local volunteers associations including scouts, the guides of Rwanda, the National Youth Council, VSO young Christian associations, young women Christians associations, the Red Cross members and the local population joined hands in celebrating the day.

The participants started by a march to raise awareness around the role of Volunteers worldwide. The march was shortly followed by a community work (umuganda) characterized by the planting of trees on Ruhira Mountain in Nyagahinga Cell. This activity was in the framework of ensuring environment sustainability, one of the Millennium Development Goals. Around 10,000 trees that were planted will not only serve to protect the soil against erosion, but also as land fertilizers and food for domestic animals. The equipment used in planting trees was later donated to the Municipality of Kibuye to help them in future endeavors in preserving their environment. “These equipment are of utmost importance for our town in our efforts to ensure environment sustainability” said Mr. Vianney Nkurunziza, Vice-mayor in charge of Economic Affairs in the City of Kibuye. The equipment donated was made of hoes, machetes, shovels and wheelbarrows are worth 1,500,000 Rwandan francs.

This activity was followed by the distribution of goats to widows and children heads of household associations to help them improve their standards of living through animal husbandry. Ten goats were given to each group, one goat per family under promise that the first offspring will be given to one of the other families that didn’t receive a goat.

On the same day, the UN Volunteers visited and supported the Hospital of Kibuye with food items to be distributed to the in-patients that dearly need of assistance. According to reports, the hospital of Kibuye receive each week between 30 and 50 patients who cannot not afford to pay for all that is required and who need to be cared for. The food donation was made of sugar, rice, maize and wheat flour, cooking oil, soaps and beans worth 2,000,000 Rwandan francs.

The youth was one of the targeted audiences on that international volunteer day. A visit to the Youth center of Rubengera, a project supported by UNFPA and the Ministry of Youth Culture and Sport, was organized and the youth trained in reproductive health and HIV/AIDS.

“The international volunteer day is a good opportunity for people in all regions to consider the great work done by UN volunteers and their contribution to the attainment of the Millennium development Goals”, says Jean de Dieu Kayiranga, representing the UN Resident Coordinator at this event. He invited the governments, private sector, civil society, media and others stakeholders to support this work. Volunteers from all nationalities, ethnicities and beliefs are taking on various challenges in their communities, volunteering to make a difference. “They remain the true champions of our work towards the Millennium Development Goals”, said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

The province and district authorities praised the work done by UN volunteers. “We shall start from what you did, whether in protecting the environment or in helping others”, said the representative of the Kibuye Province, Mr. Rutamunuga Obalde, thanking the UN Volunteers and local volunteers organizations for choosing Kibuye as the venue for the Commemoration of the International Volunteer day for 2005.

That day saw the official launch of a “League of volunteers Associations in Rwanda”, set up a week ago with technical and financial support from the UN Volunteers. The league will lead local volunteers organizations in their efforts towards the Millennium Development Goals.