They are young people from Burundi who are part of the ROTARACT organization of the Rotary Club International, when they cooperated with their colleagues from the countries of the East African Community (EAC) and those from Liberia in the operation to help the teenagers who were born in the District of Ribs.
It was an event that took place in the Rugerero Sector on Saturday, March 30, 2024, when the youth welcomed about 38 young people who gave birth to their families and gave them tools to help them in their careers at the Rugerero Youth Center.
Odiley Iradukunda, one of the Burundian members of the ROTARACT Organization and the head of that group in Burundi, emphasized that as Burundians they are proud to be involved in the development of a teenager who was born in Rwanda.
He says, “In Rotary we have a way to get help where we live, we came to improve relations and unite as people living in different countries. We are proud to have crossed the political boundaries between our countries and to improve relations and cooperation as young people.”
Regarding the bad political atmosphere between the neighboring countries that have strong historical relations, Iradukunda said that it has a great impact on the people because after closing the borders the people live together.
He asked the administration to prioritize programs that strengthen unity and friendship.
He also asked the leaders to prioritize security, stop closing the borders, and move towards dialogue.
These young people have done this annual event through the REACT project, which unites all of them every year with the aim of doing charity work.
Mihigo Felix, the representative of ROTARACT in Rwanda, said that after seeing that in Rubavu there is a problem of teenage pregnancies, they felt that they should do something to help them develop professionally after the knowledge they got in the professions.
She said: “A teenage child who is pregnant has a lot of life-threatening consequences. We decided to come here to Rubavu to help them learn, they are already learning trades but they told us that they did not have enough equipment. If they learn the profession well, their children will live well and their lives will change. We urge you to make the most of the opportunities you have been given.”
Umuhoza Francine, one of the girls who gave birth at the age of 17, praised the support she received because it is going to help them develop.
He continued: “I have a dream that after I finish my studies, I will start working to live well with my child in the next few days. It was difficult for us to find learning materials, but now we are going to sharpen our skills, we appreciate those who supported us.”
Pastor Ndolimana Emmanuel, Head of the Rugerero Parish Baptist Church and President of the Kivu Rotary Club operating in Rubavu District, thanked the young people who came to support what their elders would do.
He says that in two years they have carried out environmental conservation activities in Rubavu, they have donated 18 million Rwandan francs to help those affected by the disaster and have already done a project of more than 60 million Rwandan francs to irrigate the people in junction of Rubavu and Rutsiro.
He said, “These young people have joined us in the work we are doing to change the lives of the people. We have been doing a lot of work for the past few days and we are going to help the students get books, in the program to improve nutrition and other things. We are grateful to the Community and the members.”
The Mayor of Rubavu Mulindwa Prosper, also appreciated the activities of these young people and the invaluable contribution that the Rotary Club continues to make in changing the lives and development of the people of Rubavu District and the country as a whole.
He said, “They have done a lot of work that we appreciate, if you look at it, it is from what they have earned and sacrificed so that our people’s lives can be changed. We hope to continue working together, and with Rotary’s senior leadership we will have discussions that will result in sustainable projects.”
Currently, about 200 young people are registered in seven ROTARACT groups in Rwanda.
Helping young people who have been living in Rubavu is studying at the University of Tourism and Hotels (UTB) Rubavu branch.
