Category: News

{{The government is accessing the viability of a new 12 year Basic Education for Africa Program (BEAP), igihe.com has reliably learnt.}}

The education strategy was revealed at a three day international conference that brought together representatives of the United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and several Rwanda’s executives in education sector at Lemingo Hotel in Kigali.

The Conference that hosted UNESCO representatives from Senegal, Mali, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Niger evaluated the strategic planning of BEAP scheme as well as scrutinizing the challenges that hinder the progress on its implementation in Africa.

The UNESCO delegates unanimously observed that Rwanda had successfully undertaken this project with very positive results though there was still room for improvement.

Rwanda’s Director General at the Ministry of Education in charge of primary education Narcisse Musabyeyezu pointed out that: “The 9 year basic education program started in 2007 and was introduced because the six were not enough to eliminate the levels of illiteracy in the country”.

He emphatically stressed that the results have been positive with more than 80 per cent of pupils now completing primary school while prior to the implementation of the new program, not more than 5o per cent were able to proceed to secondary school.

“Despite that we are still facing some constraints in this program due to the need for more skilled human resources in terms of teachers and resources in the form of book supplies, especially in the upper secondary” Musabyeyezu pointed out.

He argued that due to the scheme, pupils’ passing their O’level exams and enrolling at the High school has doubled from 56,000 to 104,000 according to current statistics.

He, however, observed that the 12 year basic education scheme should not be implemented until 2017 when careful feasibility study will have been carried out in comparison with the current 9 year education program.

{{In several parts of the country a good number of once grass- thatched houses ‘Nyakatsi’ have been roofed with iron sheets, yet in some areas the program is taking a slow pace.}}

In Rubavu for instance, the June deadline has been postponed to September due to poor management.

The Rubavu district vice mayor in charge of social affairs Rachael Nyirasafari admitted and attributed the slow implementation to lack of adequate materials.

She urges there was an error made while indentifying those who are needy to be supported with construction materials.

Nyirasafari, noted that among those selected, there were some who had the means to roof their huts with iron sheets and that’s why a screening process was necessary to indentify once again those who were extremely poor.

Lack of materials and poor allocation of facilities are not the only problems, the Rubavu vice mayor further pointed out. She pointed out that some residents; especially those from Busasamana sector had wrong mindsets towards the changes.

“Some still are reluctant to adopt to iron sheets saying they are preserving culture, yet the grass thatched houses are so outdated ,” she remarked.

Three years ago, the Government embarked on a campaign to improve housing, which included the eradication of Nyakatsibut the program was accelerated this year.

The aim is to put an end to grass-thatched houses so that the vulnerable would have decent shelters equipped with modern and healthy infrastructure.

In 2009 the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) indentified 124,671 grass-thatched houses. The next phase consisted of sensitizing the concerned families on the importance of having decent housing.

In January this year the number of Nyakatsi was minimized down to 70,985.

It was expected that the operation, which has a budget of Frw 4 billion, to close by the end of May 2011, for all Nyakatsi-dwellers to have resettled, but in some areas the execution is slow.

{{The Institute of Youth Fellowship (IYF) initiated a campaign to sensitize Rwandan youth to avoid drug abuse and premature sex temptations that would spoil their future.}}

Talking to igihe.com the fellowship Director Rwandan Chapter Bongjin ko, notes that a good number of youth, especially those approaching 16 years get temptations through their peers.

He revealed that IYF has formed clubs in over five secondary schools and higher learning institutions such as Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and the national university of Rwanda to help the youngsters avoid in falling into the traps.

Bongjin further pointed out that the clubs help the youth to interact and discuss some of the challenges they face in their daily routine.

He observed that youngsters gather at the institute to hear the word of God from preachers who derive their teachings from the bible.

“The bible has interesting teachings which shapes one’s life, and the guidelines also apply to non-Christians that is why we accept everyone at our centre irrespective of their religious affiliations,” he stressed.

Empowering youth spiritually can’t work effectively without improving their literacy levels, and that is why IYF conducts special language courses including English, Swahili, Korean and Chinese say Bongjin, a Korean in his mid 30s.

“These lessons also promote their communication skills, especially when interacting with other youth from foreign countries,” he noted.

He explained that the centre has curriculum activities such Tae Kwando, soccer, musical instruments amongst other activities that help Rwandan youth from various part of Rwanda to interact.

“This week for instance we had a soccer match with Green Hills Academy team, and after the game we settled down and discussed how to overcome temptations,” he said adding that the interactions will go do beyond Rwandan borders.

He revealed that on August 11, IYF will organize its third annual international fellowship which that will attract youth from the East African region. “We expecting over 1,500 participants and our talks will be highly focus on abstinence from drug abuse and sharing” says director.

Bongjin encourages the youth at the fellowships to share since it improves the welfare of those who are needy.

The Institute for Youth Fellowship which he said is ran by volunteers was founded by a South Korean pastor Ock Soo Park in 1990, to help mankind overcome some of the world’s temptation Challenges through strengthening their faith in God.

The Fellowship has been in Rwanda for the last five years and it has helped transform the lives of many, several drug addicts for instance have been changed to volunteers and are now assisting other drug abusers to abstain from the habit.

Blaze Nyiribakwe is a former drug addict and a volunteer at the centre says: “I first met the Koreans five years ago; it’s so funny that my intention was to learn taekwondo but I eventually committed my life to God after meeting with one of the mind control trainers.

“ I confessed to him about my marijuana addictiveness he counseled and now I’VE overcome the habit and I’m also counseling those who have similar problems,” Nyiribakwe confessed.

The IYF director echoed his words emphasizing that reading the bible often improved one’s self control: “During my early twenties I used to be a very angry person to an extent I even planned to kill my dad and this was not just a matter of killing but rather brutal murde.

“But through the word of God, I got saved and I’m not only in good terms with my Dad but I also help other people to overcome such anger” the director testified.

{{President Paul Kagame has encouraged citizens to maintain the hardworking spirit similar to that which enabled liberation of the country 17years ago and that has led to commendable progressive in the country.
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The president who was also the leader of the liberation struggle made the remarks while addressing tens of thousands of people at the 17th liberation ceremony held at the Amahoro national stadium.

Kagame, emphasized that liberation day reminds us of the progress made from the country’s poor history that should never be repeated, “We’re now on the right path and our future is more promising”.

“Indeed, liberation is also about one’s dignity and patriotism which should be reflected in every citizen, even those living abroad,” advised the president.

He further pointed out that one’s dignity “{Agaciro}” was among the driving force towards the country’s development.

“I thank all Rwandans for the role you’ve played ensuring steady transformation of our country and development. Achieving all this was not easy and the road ahead is tough that’s why we all need to be hard working, and it’s time we let our actions speak for themselves,” he said.

Kagame also encouraged citizens that have been misled into enemies of Rwandan, to return to their country and join the cause for transforming Rwanda into a better country, “once they’re here they should abide by the country’s vision,” he remarked.

The president emphasized on the need for a brave attitude while one is faced with challenges.It helps one to move on. “The same attitude was exhibited by our soldiers when they were fighting for freedom until they became victorious and those who lost their lives in the liberation war; let them know that their efforts didn’t go in vain”.

Currently the progress is evident in sectors including; the Health, Education and Economic growth. Faustin Rucyabiraro an exemplary farmer gave his testimony of how he was saved by the RPF soldiers in 1996 after hiding for three weeks in the Congo forests.

When he returned to Rwanda, the security atmosphere that encouraged him into farming fascinated him. Rucyabiraro started with 250 chickens in the year2000 but now has a hectare of land and three modern cattle.

“I encourage other farmers to seek credit from banks since that’s one of the ways that enhanced my progress, I’m now a trainer at Gakenke district and I’ve severally represented farmers in both local and regional meetings.”

By:Randa Rugangazi

{{Today, the 17th annual liberation day celebrations were held at the Amahoro National Stadium. This year’s theme is continued economic liberation from poverty. The day is also a time commemorate the Rwandan Armed Forces that led a liberation struggle 17 years ago.}}

Previously, the liberation day marked the liberation struggle that toppled Habyarimana’s government and stopped the 1994 genocide. In recent years, the liberation day is more inclusive to the general citizenry’s economic and social achievements.

The citizenry’s achievements were given in the accounts of a former refugee who fled to neighbouring to DR Congo in 1994. He thanked his friends who had convinced him to return home. He also expressed gratitude for government programs that offered him with opportunities to improve on his agricultural skills.

President Paul Kagame in a brief speech emphasized that Rwandans need to continue their hard work; in their course to improve their livelihood and achieving goals, they have set for themselves.

“Our mission is to fulfil the goals we started 17 years ago. Let us not have those who sacrificed their lives for the liberation struggle remain in vain.” said President Kagame, “As Rwandan citizens, we are the only ones who know where we want our country to go. It is only us who can give our country the value it deserves.”

In his conclusive remarks, President Kagame thanked all Rwandan citizens for their commitment to rebuilding the country and poverty eradication, “I want to thank you for your continued hard work and sacrifice in building our country”.

{{Gasabo’s vice mayor in charge of economy and development Jean-Claude Munara has encouraged residents to assist orphans who are independently surviving on their own.
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He made the remarks while officially launching 12 houses constructed by Rwanda’s Red-Cross to orphans of its former employees killed during the genocide.

The plan is to construct 30 houses to shelter over 25 orphans situated in Bumbogo sector. The Red-Cross team donated 23 piglets to assist the beneficiaries in generating income.

Red-Cross secretary general Appolonaire Karamaga emphasized that empowering orphans economically would drastically improve their welfare. He also urged well-off people to join in the cause of alleviating poverty as well as enhancing the economy.

Prior to Bumbogo visit, the delegation launched a monument containing names of Red-Cross staff killed and children during the 1994 war.

“This should be a symbol to remind us the holocaust that happened to our country in order to avoid a repeat of the same,” Karamagi remarked adding that, “even foreigners visiting our institution will be shown the monument so that they fully understand the tragedy we faced because some don’t have the time to visit genocide memorial sites and might be mislead by genocide deniers.”

The gravestones are also in line with National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG) campaign to encourage institutions to create monuments for their employees killed in the genocide war.

CNLG executive secretary Jean-de-Dieu Mucyo has on several occasions emphasized that with the truth (monuments) laid in several institutions compounds, the gesture would restrict the spread of genocide ideology.

{{The Media High Council executive secretary Patrice Mulama has said that investigations to the brutal attack on Jean Gaulbert Burasa a journalist and an editor of Rushyashya newspaper is underway.}}

“Right now we can’t conclude anything because we’ve not talked to the accused ‘Paul Ruhamyambuga’ and we’re yet to go to the scene to gather more information,” he remarked.

Mulama further explained that, attack to journalists is condemnable especially while their on duty. “Normally we conduct our own investigations and once we find that the journalist was assaulted we not only condemn the act but also assist relevant institutions like the police and courts to bring justice.”

In Rwanda cases of attacks aganist journalist are minimal though many go unreported. “We’re aware that some journalists have been denied entrance and sometimes their tools such as cameras and recorders have been confiscated,” he remarked adding that, “we’re sensitizing the public how to cooperate with the press since it facilitates their delivery as watchdogs and mouth piece to the public,” he encouraged.

Currently MHC is encouraging judicial personnel to put tough sentences to those found guilty of assaulting journalists.

According to Burasa he was attacked by Paul Ruhamyambuga well known for his City Plaza building at bar nearby Cardilac night club. He claims that he was accused of writing articles exposing the collaboration of Kayumba Nyamwasa a renegade with Tribert Rujugiro a Rwandan tycoon who also happens to be Ruhamyambuga best friend.

In a telephone interview conducted by our reporter Shaba Erick Bil, Burasa disclosed that the businessman called him for a meeting at bar nearby Cadillac and since he was attending a Bralirwa’s function at the night club’s gardens he decided to meet the businessman who had on several occasions invited him for a somewhat private talk.

As usual Burasa had ignored his meetings since his instincts warned him of something dangerous, but he decided any way to meet Ruhamyambuga with accompaniment of his fellow journalists who also doubted the nature of the invitation.

Upon their arrival at the bar, two of the journalists accompanying Burasa were heavily rebuked by the City Plaza boss who was seated with several men. “What are you doing here you good for nothing journalists, I only called Burasa not you, or you think your reckless newspapers are so professional, get the hell out of here,” he remarked.

The admonished journalists had no choice but to leave their dear Burasa in the arms of men whom they didn’t trust their intentions. After his colleagues went the Rushyashya editor claims that he was not given a chance to order a drink before one of the Ruhamyambuga’s men started criticizing his writings especially on Kayumba and his political clique.

With no time the group started throwing harsh words to sole Burasa who stood by his grounds in defending his professionalism, this seemed to have annoyed one of the men who couldn’t take it and jumped towards Burasa and strangled his neck almost taking his breath away.

Burasa who’s skinny and has a height of about 1.85 couldn’t struggle more with the man who was slightly bigger than him. “I was taken to a nearby building which was unfinished and no one was there to hear me cry for help, he only let me go after I nearly lost all my strength,” he remarked.

So far Burasa has filed a complaint to the police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the MHC. Police spokesman Theos Badege affirmed that investigations were still on progress.

Up to now Ruhamyambuga has refused to comment on the matter.

By: Supreetha Gubbala

{{Rwanda Men’s Resource Center (RWAMREC) has urged Rwanda males to play role in eradicating any gender-related violence to women in the country.}}

The call was made Thursday at a workshop organized by RWAMREC at Hotel Milles Collines to disseminate and discuss the findings of September 2010 study conducted by the organization.

The study based on perception and experience men and women involved 1311 women and 2301 men.

Eduoard Munyamaliza, the Executive Secretary told Igihe.com that most significant results on perceptions are culturally-based and are impediments to gender promotion as well as prevention GBV in Rwanda.

He said the findings of the survey revealed that some negative attitudes are still existent on the grassroots level among couples.

Over all, the study revealed that more than half (57.2%) of the women in the study have experienced GBV by their partner, with 39% of men admitting to be the aggressors.

The highest type of violence reported by women was forced sex, topping the charts at 32.4%, while only 4% of men ever admitted to committing this type of violence.

Munyamaliza noted that the reported numbers may even be lower than they should be because men are uncomfortable with admitting their specific acts.

Despite initial fears of admittances, he noted: “We have discussed the results with men in all the districts, and most agreed this is the situation that prevails.

“Fortunately, most of them were committed to do something to change this understanding.” He said adding that the overall gender attitudes of men also proved to be particularly discouraging with 57.4% of men believing that men have to dominate women while 62% agreed that women have to be submissive.

The study attributed the prevalence of GBV to a various exposures to violence in peoples environments, but the greatest common experience of violence amongst men and women was the genocide.

“80.4% of males and 79.1% of female respondents have witnessed genocide horrors and this may have caused trauma that could affect their control over emotions,” states in part.

UNDP representative Marie Francoise said that the findings of the research will be the backbone for implementation of future policy preventing GBV and that the results will not only help RWAMREC, but all actors in preventing gender-based violence.

After the launching of the findings, Munyamaliza urged young men and women to uphold cultural values that are positive and discard those that are negative because the negative ones are the basis of gender based violence.

“It does not matter whether you are rich or poor because when you adhere to gender quality values you promote a healthy family and ultimately contribute effectively to the development of the entire nation.” He stressed.

{{On Friday July 1, President Paul Kagame was awarded the Chello Foundation Humanitarian Award 2011 for his outstanding leadership of the Republic of Rwanda since 1994.}}

The Chairman of the Chello Foundation, Shane O’Neill, in his remarks during the event that attracted over a hundred people, said that under Kagame’s leadership, Rwanda has become a nation globally recognized for its rapid socio-economic development as exemplified by its remarkable strides in providing equal access to quality education and health coverage to all Rwandans.

“The African continent occupies a deep passionate place in my heart. When I see the development, huge energy, and vitality that have come into Rwanda, I realize that Kagame’s leadership has made that difference. He is an inspirational leader and it is my pleasure and privilege to have worked with him. I cannot think of anyone better for The Chello Foundation to give this Award to,” he said.

While introducing President Kagame, Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair described Kagame as an inspirational leader in Africa and for people around the world.

“I know in terms of what he’s done for his country’s economic development, but also what he’s done to try to bring the country together after the extraordinary, divisive and terrible time Rwanda went through in the 1994 Tutsi Genocide, it’s been a remarkable achievement,” Blair said.

Accepting the award, President Kagame expressed what continues to drive Rwanda’s success, the belief in the kind of support that goes beyond sympathy and compassion and leads to self reliance.

“Every child – regardless of geography, history or nationality – should receive the best support they need to help shape their country’s development and take control of their destiny. Let me say, however, that Africa cannot rely on goodwill from elsewhere forever. Nor should it want to,” Kagame said.

“We must work together to ensure that the support we provide now is well utilized and sustainable. That way the people of Africa will be fully empowered to continue making choices that spur prosperity and contribute fully to their collective well being”.

The Chello Foundation Humanitarian Award was established by the Trustees of the Chello Foundation in 2007. The award is given to an individual who has made a significant impact in improving the lives and outcomes of those most in need.

It focuses on the education of orphans and vulnerable children impacted by the HIV epidemic in sub Saharan Africa; it is currently paying for 3500 Primary and Secondary children to go to school; the Chello Foundation is also established in Ireland and the US. It aims to have 5,000 orphans and vulnerable children in school by 2012.

Today in Rwanda, 96% of girls and boys are enrolled under the universal primary education program, health coverage is at 91%, and intensified prevention and treatment programs for HIV/AIDS has led to a drop in prevalence from 11.2% to 3%.

By: MUTASA Stephen

The Joint Action Development Forum (JADF), a local NGO that inspires people for accountability and development yesterday visited the genocide memorial center at Murambi, gikongoro nyamagabe.

The JADF president Mutwarasibo Cyprien,also the vice mayor of Huye district told {Igihe.com} that the initiative was to visit the memorial site and donating to Orphans of genocide as the best way to commemorate the 17th anniversary.

“We chose to visit the site as a way to have a different outlook for all the members and continue being change agents in the country,” He stressed. He led a delegation of the NGO’s employees from their head office at Butare town, Huye District.

He pointed out that Murambi depicted an ideology that ought to be done away with in our society. All the members laid a wreath on the graves of the victims.

They also took group prayers in honour of the 848 bodies still preserved at the site and donated 100,000 Frw to the genocide site.

After the Murambi trip, the group proceeded to Tumba to visit the children orphaned by 1994 genocide atrocities.

They donated frw555,000 to help the orphans as well as 300kg of beans and 90liters of cooking oil.

Mr. Mutwarasibo advised the children not to lose hope and stand firm by having big dreams for they stand together with the organization and the community at large.

According to Mutwarasibo, the organization started in 2010 under the National Decentralization Secretariat in conjunction with Holland, though the Huye district chapter had been in place.

Mutwarangabo explained that JADF seeks to promote government programs through mobilization of its partners including Churches, the District and both local and foreign NGOs.

Mr. Kayitare Leon Pierrepermanent secretary JADF added that on top of being change agents, they hoped to cultivate a culture of learning by practice to improve provision of services around the country through exhibitions and other activities.

“we should remember the bad times as we struggle to build a better world” Kayitare stressed..

The Sponsorship Facilitator at World Vision only identified as Olive, noted that this is a good initiative that helps people get to places they never would have on their own.

She suggested that It is only through meeting with people that reconciliation can be achieved. “Let us all stand together and say NEVER AGAIN TO GENOCIDE” She emphasized.