This year’s Mother Earth Day is celebrated under the theme “Restore Our Earth”.
The event was held in Huye District where the Ambassador of Israel in Rwanda, Dr. Ron Adam, visited the Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management.
The Center is in the National Herbarium of Rwanda in University of Rwanda (UR), and accommodates 17,000 species of plants.
The Ambassador was joined by the Director-General of Rwanda Environment and Management Authority (REMA), Juliet Kabera, officials from Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and University of Rwanda, and graduates from the university.
On the occasion, they launched a workshop to increase the capacity of young Rwandans to collect and identify plants hence contribute to the development of the National Herbarium of Rwanda and the country’s documentation of its rich botanical heritage.
In total, 30 individuals including MSc students, recent BSc graduates were trained.
The workshop was financed by the Israel Embassy in Rwanda.
According to Ambassador Adam, preserving biodiversity should be prioritized.
He said: “One of the key areas of concern is the preservation of biodiversity and of the biological ecosystem on Earth. Humanity needs to preserve biodiversity which became more challenging in the current age of climate change and global warming.”
“The embassy attaches great importance to the preservation of parks and nature in Rwanda,” He added.
Israel has dealt with the conservation of its nature since its inception by declaring more than one-third of its land under preservation. There are more than 150 national parks in Israel.
Meanwhile, Rwanda is also committed to preserving the environment, as explained by Kabera.
“The Green Growth and Climate Resilience strategy of 2011 as well as its updates NDCs of 2020 are examples of strategic documents that highlight priority interventions which Rwanda embarked on to mitigate and adapt to climate change,” she noted.
She added: “These interventions include but not limited to promoting the use of renewable energy, rainwater storage and efficient use, landscape restoration, and promoting e-mobility.”
{{Visiting Nyungwe National Park}}
In a bid to promote research and help graduates to better understand biodiversity, over 20 people composed of UR graduates and their lecturers were facilitated to visit the Nyungwe National Park on Wednesday, April 21.
They collected 30 plant species, which they assert will help them conduct further significant researches.
“I have learned a lot with my students, we discovered a lot of species and collected samples that were not at the National Herbarium of Rwanda. This will help us to monitor the evolution of plant species in relation to climate change,” said Prof. Elias Bizuru, a lecturer of Botany and related courses at UR College of Science and Technology.
Aime Sandrine Uwase, Coordinator of National Herbarium of Rwanda and a graduate in Botany and Conservation at UR, also hailed the visit.
“I enjoyed the trail, I got to learn new things. I was able to see with my eyes plant species we were taught in class. We thank the Israel Embassy in Rwanda for this opportunity given to us.”
One training program – the Mastercard Foundation Hanga Ahazaza initiative – works with several partners in Rwanda, such as the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business to provide professional development opportunities for managers and hospitality educators, through its Certificate in Hospitality Management program and its Professional Development Program (PDP). Cornell delivers this advanced training via its eCornell online courses, virtual events, executive education, and classes in its Kigali Heights facility.
“Our goal under Hanga Ahazaza is simple: to enable 30,000 young people to access dignified and fulfilling work in the tourism sector,” says Rica Rwigamba, Rwanda Country Head at the Mastercard Foundation.
“While the goal remains the same, we’re working with our partners to adapt programs to a pandemic and post-pandemic world by building resilience in the sector and adopting digital technology as an enabler of skills training.”
Since 2018, more than 100 businesses have participated in Cornell’s program and nearly 800 employees have benefited from this training. Participants in the Cornell program say courses like Service Excellence and Building High-Performance Teams provide essential skills and a broader understanding of their industry, which they emulate at work every day.
{{Program benefits: skills and broader understanding}}
Managers are reporting a significant improvement in their employees’ customer service performance. Vincent Nzigira, a Managing Director of Bourbon Coffee – a global chain founded in 2007 to create both a market for Rwandan coffee and jobs for Rwandan workers – was one of the first managers to work directly with the Cornell Hanga Ahazaza program in Kigali. The program provided resources and encouragement for his employees – 17 so far. “Customer service has no specific formula,” he says. “It’s about the details, but it’s also about common sense and accountability.” His staff is bringing more personality, creativity, and positivity to their work, and they require less supervision.
Jeanne Kayitesi, Human Resources Manager at One&Only Resorts, oversees a staff of about 200, and has sent 32 of her employees to the Cornell Hanga Ahazaza training. Kayitesi has also seen the positive effect of the program on her team, one of whom has been promoted to full-time manager. “The course has changed him,” she attested. “I have seen a huge shift in his leadership style from when he started.”
Kayitesi says her employees who have been especially pro-active in the course have improved immensely – “how they respond to their possibilities and leadership has changed…now, they are eager to learn.” As an employer, One&Only sends a clear message of support to its enrolled employees, providing training space and equipment, and offering transportation to and from Cornell’s Kigali Heights classroom.
Kayitesi believes her colleagues are inspired to work harder because they have a clearer understanding of how business works. “I hope that other businesses will understand that if they support their staff in this way, they too can benefit from this opportunity.”
{{Side-by-side training}}
Managers who enrolled along with their employees say they appreciate the perspective gained from the coursework itself and from the shared experience with their team members. This past February, Shehzad Rajani, a financial controller at the Radisson Blu Kigali, completed Cornell’s Certificate in Hospitality Management, with a Specialization in Financial Management.
Rajani has worked in finance for years and was impressed to find the coursework challenging. Currently, he is overseeing general managers from different countries and during the COVID-19 lockdown, he found that participating in the Cornell Hanga Ahazaza certificate program together was “the most positive thing to do” in the middle of the crisis.
The Building High-Performance Teams course reinforced Rajani’s belief in team motivation, and he’s already putting principles from the classroom into practice, including formalizing his weekly catch-up sessions with his employees.
“I’ve become a better listener. I ask them for their goals, action plan, and development plan. They feel like they can approach me.” He also believes that constructive feedback is better received by his staff because he makes a point of encouraging them often. “In finance, we need to be transparent, to notice when people are confused, to help, to educate and inform them, and overall to be more involved with operational managers.”
Rajani has experience in project mentorship and he hopes to do more of it within his department. He wants to complete Cornell’s advanced General Management certification so that he can become a stronger coach and mentor. “You should always continue to grow and learn,” he says.
Eric Semuzima, HR Manager at Radisson Blu and Kigali Convention Center, also took part of the course with his employees. He wanted to be an encouraging role model for his staff. He appreciated “the way the content was communicated and managed, so that it can be easily understood and explained.” He was also impressed by the financial aspect of the program, focusing on statements of organization and revenue interpretation. “Before this, I thought these reports were not important,” he says.
But now, he uses the data to monitor his departmental expenses. Semuzima sees improvements in his employees too – when they refer to their lessons and exercises in resolving conflicts or reaching a shared understanding on how to optimize results. People are speaking up, bringing experience to their supervisors, and are more confident and better understand how the departments function. They’re showing initiative too: “They don’t need direction for every task,” she says. This broadened understanding of the business is now a requirement for employees wishing to advance. “In our future planning, any promotions will be contingent on staff completing this course.”
Semuzima’s own ambitions are fueled by the productivity around him. Combining his HR background and his burgeoning hospitality acumen, his goal is to become the GM of a branded hotel within the next 10 years.
Aline Rwubaka, Operations Manager of Primate Safari, has been in her current position since 2005. As a seasoned professional, she also saw value in enrolling in one of Cornell’s certificate programs. “Our industry has evolved, and this program was an excellent refresher on what’s going on in our industry.” Aline says her leadership skills were particularly tested during the pandemic, when the lockdowns and cancellations were creating additional pressure for everyone. During these times, she found herself relying on tools emphasized in her Building High Performing Teams class. Now, she says, “I listen to my colleagues even when I’m under pressure myself.”
{{Create the Future: Many possibilities}}
“There are two Henrys,” says Henry Hakundwumukiza. “Before and after Cornell’s Professional Development Program.” In 2018, the principal of Henry’s college nominated him to participate in the Cornell School of Hotel Administration’s Professional Development Program (PDP), and he has not looked back. “Henry had and has a vision for where he wanted PDP to take him; this is a big story for him,” says Kim Szpiro, Project Lead for the Cornell Hanga Ahazaza initiative.
After completing the program, Henry continued to work as a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) trainer and was also a writer of curriculum for one of the Hanga Ahazaza educational partners. He joined the Cornell Kigali staff in 2019 as In-Country Instructor and is part of the Cornell Hanga Ahazaza initiative, where he has been involved in curriculum redesign.
“Henry’s a Renaissance man,” Szpiro adds. Henry is a student, instructor, mentor, and entrepreneur. His passion for teaching and learning about hospitality come through on his YouTube cooking channel (Gourmet School of Culinary Arts) and textbook, both created in English, which he considers a priority for future hospitality professionals. Henry has also completed a training course through one of the other Hanga Ahazaza partners and is pursuing a master’s degree – all while raising a family.
“Henry understands our program and its impact on him, but (he also knows) the other partners and how they fit into the bigger picture,” Kim Szpiro adds. Henry’s commitment to professional education is a testament to what Hanga Ahazaza can bring out in students. Cornell’s Hanga Ahazaza students are working professionals, often shouldering extra duties to keep their under-staffed workplaces running while trying to pursue and enhance their career development at the same time. Henry has taken excellent advantage of this experience and encourages his students to do the same.
{{Next strengths to build for Hospitality & Tourism success in Rwanda}}
Hospitality managers are pleased with their employees’ progress, but they’re still concerned about staffing challenges. Rwanda’s emerging economy will no doubt continue to grow after the pandemic, with prominent conferences like the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and tourism re-emerging soon. Because the hospitality industry is still new in Rwanda, staff need focused training in business writing, English proficiency, interview techniques, service etiquette, and career development.
Rwubaka has a passion for tourism and hospitality and says that Rwanda needs more institutions that offer Bachelor and master’s degrees in this field. “It will support the development of the country because it’s a very good industry in which to work, and if more people know about it, then that would be helpful.”
Hanga Ahazaza works to increase Rwanda’s youth employment opportunities and to nurture its tourism industry. Cornell Hanga Ahazaza continues to support this effort, recently launching a new on-demand program for individuals to improve their customer-service skills in reception, housekeeping, food and beverage service, tour guiding, and more. These education units can be completed in about a month.
Kim Szpiro explains that Cornell Hanga Ahazaza is one part of a wider initiative. “As an organization, we are actively promoting other partners within the initiative to provide comprehensive support for the hospitality and tourism industry.”
Vincent Nizigira is hopeful. “Rwanda is investing in its people,” he says. “High quality education will help us to improve and grow.”
Cornell Hanga Ahazaza is currently accepting applications. To learn more, please [{{click here.}}->https://business.cornell.edu/hanga-ahazaza/]
{{About the Mastercard Foundation Hanga Ahazaza Initiative}}
The Mastercard Foundation Hanga Ahazaza initiative is a $50 million, five-year program focused on increasing employment opportunities for young people while expanding the tourism and hospitality sector in Rwanda. Hanga Ahazaza is a consortium of partners from the education, development, and private sectors, working together to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in the tourism and hospitality sector through increased access to financial services and training, and by connecting them to young people with the skills needed to be successful employees.
{{Cornell Hanga Ahazaza}}
•Started in 2018 to increase the numbers of youth in Rwanda’s hospitality and tourism industry.
•310 professional students have completed Cornell’s certificate program.
•What our students are doing now: In our March 2021 post-completion survey, we found that despite the impact of the pandemic 71% had an increase in responsibility, 28% received a promotion, and 14% had started a business. Thirty-nine percent had an increase in salary, 94% agreed or strongly agreed that the program helped them do their job better, and 93% agreed or strongly agreed that it helped them be a better manager or mentor.
{{Managers participating in Cornell Hanga Ahazaza’s certificate program earn three credentials:}}
1.Recognition of Achievement
2.Certificate in Hospitality Management
3. Specialization Certificate (six options)
Gen. Mutasem made the call on April 21, while concluding his two-day visit to the camp of Rwanda Formed Police Unit One (RWAFPU-1) operating in Malakal, Upper Nile State.
Rwanda FPU-1 of 240 officers commanded by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Faustin Kalimba was deployed under the rotation exercise.
Gen. Mutasen was accompanied by UNMISS FPU Coordinator, Andrew Kudoro as well as Field Office Police Coordinator in Malakal, Monique Mosekiemang.
On his first day of the visit, on April 20, the Deputy Police Commissioner and his delegation were given a presentation on RWAFPU-1 operations in line with its mandate.
He also met, separately, with the unit’s commissioned and female officers.
The DPC formerly welcomed the new Rwandan contingent and expressed trust in their professionalism as exhibited by other Rwandan peacekeepers.
“We appreciate the role played by Rwanda FPU-1 here in Malakal especially in providing security for civilians,” Gen. Mutasen said.
He reminded the officers on the UN mandate which is now in transition from Protection of Civilian (PoC) to capacity building.
“Rwanda FPUs are known for their disciplined personnel; maintain that character,” Gen Mutasen observed, urging them to work hand-in-hand with other peacekeepers.
While meeting the female officers, the DPC urged them to feel inspired and motivated for their role as women in restoring peace and security.
Southern Province has been identified as the major hotspot for new infections where 112 of new cases were found.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 24262 have been tested positive of whom 22 649 have recovered, 1285 are active cases, 6 are critically ill while 328 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 349, 702 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide vaccination program on 5th March 2020.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
Of the US$30 million, $15 million is a grant while $15 million is a credit to be repaid within 38 years.
The financing agreement was signed on Thursday 22nd April 2021 between Rwanda and the World Bank. Rwanda was represented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana and World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda, Rolande Pryce.
The financing will enhance development effectiveness by addressing emerging needs, such as improving access to oxygen therapy, screening for underlying chronic conditions and protecting essential health services.
It will also bolster the capacity of the routine immunization system through investments in human resources, vaccine safety and monitoring as well as outreach activities and communications to sustain vaccine acceptance and uptake.
Minister Ndagijimana has said that the funds will help the Government of Rwanda to cover 60% targeted to be vaccinated by 2022.
“The Government of Rwanda has established integrated system to mitigate COVID-19 effects on the economy of livelihoods of Rwandans. We need to vaccinate at least 60% of the population to fully recover the economy and bring the situation to normal. The funding is a great contribution to achieve this goal,” he said.
This is the second additional financing for the Rwanda COVID-19 Emergency Response Project, bringing a total of $45.19 million in World Bank contributions to the country’s national COVID-19 health response and vaccination campaign.
Rolande Pryce has said that the World Bank is pleased to partner with the Government of Rwanda in COVID-19 vaccination rollout highlighting that it is the foundation for the Government’s program to save people’s lives and fully resume economic activities towards sustainable and inclusive development.
“Since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic the Government of Rwanda has acted swiftly and decisively to save lives and mitigate the economic impact of the crisis with strong results on the ground. The World Bank is pleased to support the government, in collaboration with other development partners, to undertake one of the boldest public health campaigns of our times that aims to vaccinate 60 percent of the population by 2022,” she said.
“The vaccination program is a central piece of the government’s comprehensive plan to save lives and facilitate full reopening of the economy, putting the country back on a path towards more inclusive and sustainable growth. We are privileged to partner in this effort,” added Rolande Pryce.
Rwanda began countrywide vaccination program on 5th March 2021 after receiving 392, 000 vaccine doses through COVAX initiative and donation from India. Since then, over 349,000 people have been vaccinated.
The vaccines were rolled out starting from people whose lien of duties puts them at risks of catching Coronavirus including health workers, security personnel, and journalists as well as people with chronic diseases.
These prosecutors include 2 national prosecutors, 6 prosecutors at intermediate level as well as 15 prosecutors at primary level.
After receiving their oaths, Prime Minister wished them all the best in their duties.
He reminded them of the importance of their work and significant role in ensuring the law enforcement and justice for all. He urged them to uphold professionalism in fulfilling their duties.
Premier also called on the prosecutors to use well the powers conferred on them to conduct in-depth investigations and ensure that cases are well prepared before filing them in courts.
He also assured the Prosecution that the Government of Rwanda will continue to provide all necessary support to help the Prosecutors better fulfill their responsibilities.
These remains were buried decently yesterday during a ceremony to commemorate Tutsi killed in Gishubi sector for the 27th time.
Some genocide survivors have revealed that burying their relatives decently soothes their hearts.
“We had buried these remains in 2002 in different graves. Burying them in a decent memorial at district level appeases our hearts because we are assured that relatives have received the honor their deserve,” said Innocent Rugayi.
Despite dark moments they went through, Genocide survivors in Gisagara district attest that they have become resilient people who continue to soldier on along the development journey.
“We have attained a remarkable progress along the resilience journey. President of the Republic has introduced inclusive policies promoting education that our children study easily at schools closer to our homes. The Government supports our development, has given us cows milked for children. Our livelihoods have improved,” Janvière Karugara.
The President of IBUKA, organization umbrella of genocide survivors in Gisagara district, Jérome Mbonirema has said that they continue to mobilize people to reveal whereabouts more genocide victims were dumped to begiven decent burial.
The Vice mayor for social affairs in Gisagara district, Clemence Gasengayire has explained that discussions are continued with genocide survivors so that remains of victims laid in old graves can be relocated to the district’s memorial.
Kabuye memorial is home to 50,000 remains of genocide victims including recently relocated ones.
Residents from Mwogo in Bugesera district are among witnesses with stories of transformations considering how kitchen village has improved their children’s livelihoods following cooking demonstrations during which they are acquainted with best practices that drove down malnutrition and eliminated stunting are among children.
These parents have been assisted by community health workers trained by the Ministry of Health through Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC).
Angelique Ahishakiye, a resident of Rukira village, Rugunga cell in Mwogo sector has said that her child had stunting issues and weighed 2 kilograms at the age of two.
Since she joined the village kitchen, her child’s health conditions has significantly improved that he is leading normal life.
“I used to poorly feed my child before coming here. I would mix sweet potatoes and beans thinking they are useful for my child’s growth. When community health workers visited me, my child had already developed malnutrition problems. I was not even aware that there are vegetables rich in nutrients that improve child’s growth,” she said.
“At the kitchen village, we are equipped with best cooking techniques. Before joining the village, I was careless that I couldn’t even wake up to prepare porridge for my child before going to work. I would feed him with cold sweet potatoes cooked last night. The situation has changed today. I prepare porridge in the morning and carry takeaways to feed my child with hot meal in the garden. The child’s conditions have significantly improved that he weighs eight kilograms,” added Ahishakiye.
Josephine Mukandayisenga residing in Gisaso village, Gitaba cell has also revealed that her child was underweight with 5 kilograms when she was aged one year and half.
“My child’s health conditions were deteriorating due to poverty and lack of skills to prepare balanced diet. I have learnt that it does not take huge amounts of money to balance diet. With Rwf 500, I can properly feed my child. I have learnt a lot from cooking demonstrations within the past few days since I joined the kitchen village. As a result, my child has significantly improved, increased weight that I will do whatever it takes to keep the pace,” noted Mukandayisenga.
Drocella Mukarwego, a community health worker in Misatsi village of Gataba cell has said that 68 children in Mwogo sector had malnutrition problems before the program started last year but mothers have been helped that the number reduced to 10.
“We have instruments helping us to detect if children have malnutrition issues or are underweight. It facilitates us to identify children in need of special attention. We bring parents at the village kitchen where they learn from demonstrations to prepare balanced diet. I also tell them nutrients contained in foods we are preparing so that they emulate practices at home being fully aware of what they are doing,” she explained.
The Acting Executive Secretary of Mwogo sector, Jean Muhoza has emphasized that kitchen village and early childhood development centers play key role in fighting malnutrition in the sector.
He also stressed that the sector closely follows up children to identify root causes of malnutrition or stunting to seek a durable solution.
Rwanda is among countries that have ambitious target to reduce malnutrition among children from 33% to 19% by 2024. The goal is expected to be achieved through continuously teaching parents to prepare balanced diet and take good care of their children.
The visit is part of community outreach programs to inspect implementation of development projects pledged under performance contracts and hear from citizens’ concerns.
During the visit held on Tuesday, Habitegeko was accompanied by officials from Western Province, Karongi district and security officers.
They also toured 2-kilometer road under construction in Karongi town.
The road is expected to facilitate movements along peripheries of Lake Kivu and connect hotels surrounding the lake.
Speaking to IGIHE, Habitegeko has revealed hat the visit was meant to witness the current progress of infrastructures being developed and seek ways to fast track implementation.
“We have been inspecting infrastructures as they are considered the foundation for investment in towns. Besides investment, residents also need basic infrastructures like roads and others,” he said.
The Governor also toured Karongi cross border market under construction in Ruganda. The market will be used by traders from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
As he visited Rugabano model village, residents appealed for support to get fodder for their cattle.
The village is home to over 328 families comprised of 1000 residents.
“These residents have voiced appreciation to President of the Republic Paul Kagame who settled them in decent shelters. They are living in beautiful houses that some of them dwell in split level homes,” said Habitegeko.
“They however have some problems including lack of pasture. There are investors who provided land on which they can grow fodder but we are making arrangements so that we can find fodder to feed these cows donated by President of the Republic,” he added.
Among others, Governor Habitegeko visited hillside irrigation projects in the surroundings of Ndaba Rock and Rugabano tea plant.
