Tourists can now enjoy riding on 11 different trails across the country. The trails, which are a combined distance of 760 Km gives cyclists a chance to discover Rwanda anew. These are found in every province in the country. The diverse trails cater for all skill levels, whether beginners or professionals.
To give cyclist a rewarding experience, RDB has ensured the maintenance of the different cycling trails, by designing and mounting clearly understandable signposts along the trails to guide cyclists. In addition, the RDB office has trained specialized guides and bicycle mechanics to ensure that that the cycle experience is seamless as possible with as many secure campsites and other accommodation options as possible on cycling trails.
The famous Congo-Nile Trail, borders the scenic Lake Kivu, now attracts over 5,000 tourists annually.
Commenting on the launch of mountain biking across the country, the Chief Tourism Officer from Rwanda Development Board, Belise Kariza commended the new tourism experience, saying that visitors will be able to engage and delight in Rwanda’s beauties.
“Rwanda is the best destination for adventurers seeking memorable, sustainable tourism experiences in Africa. We are happy to unveil mountain biking, our new tourism experience. Visitors can now experience the vibrancy and beauty of our country in a fresh way. Visit Rwanda and discover just why our country is the new cycling mecca of Africa”. She said
Events such as the Tour du Rwanda, Rwanda Cycling Cup and the Mountain Bike Race are positioning the country on the cyclist map. The Union Cycliste International (UCI) recently announced that Tour du Rwanda would become a 2.1 grade race in 2019; this new classification is expected to attract renowned cyclists to the country.
In order to further the growth of cycling as both a sport and a tourism experience, the Government of Rwanda has announced a 25% tax waiver on the importation of mountain and racing bicycles.
The event took place Saturday at the ceremony to commemorate the victims of 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rusizi.
Survivor, Vestine Utamuriza said that the remains of their families had been poorly buried as the rains and floods have been damaging them.
“We are pleased to see the remains of our beloved fallen families rested in safe place. Previously, they were buried in unsafe place where it used to rain on them,” she said.
It is anticipated that all remains of the genocide victims across Rusizi District will be moved to three District Genocide Memorial Centres which are Nyarushishi, Mibilizi and Kamembe.
Nyarushishi Genocide Memorial Centre is home to 4738 victims.
Speaking at the event, Senator Appolinaire Mushinzimana said that the memorial is well constructed so that more remains could be buried there.
According to Mushinzimana, the memorial is capable to receive remains of over 10,000.
Made-In-Rwanda’s best and brightest gathered at Onomo Hotel to receive awards in an event organized by East African Youth Development Agency in a bid to recognize individuals, companies and institutions that have contributed to the country’s economic growth by creating and promoting Rwanda’s domestic products, both locally and internationally.
The awards were given out in ten competitive categories, with five special recognition awards for Lifestyle, Fashion, and Innovation.
During the selection, 60% of votes were from the net while the remaining 40% were to be given by a special panel of judges. Another category was the people’s Choice, which involved a person who was voted most from the public.
Notable public figures from entertainment and media were found at the event. Yannick Mukunzi, a player from Rayon Sports was awarded as ‘Best Fashionable Male Celebrity, Songbird Knowless Butera was awarded as ‘Best Fashionable Female Celebrity’ while DJ Pius was awarded for making the ‘Fashionable music video of the year’.
Kamanzi Uwizera Gloria who spoke in the name of the organizers said that the event was organized in a way of encouraging the young & creative minds of Rwanda, and use the event as an opportunity to promote Rwanda’s products, both locally and internationally.
“The Made-in-Rwanda awards will be an annual event, as a way of expressing gratitude towards those who promote ‘Made-In-Rwanda’ products.” Kamanzi Uwizera Gloria said
{{2018 Made-in-Rwanda Awards winners
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Best Fashionable Female Celebrity: Knowless Butera
The International Day of the African Child, observed annually on 16 June, was established in memory of the young boys and girls killed during the 1976 Soweto Student Uprising, on this date. This international day therefore reminds us of the need to safeguard the sanctity of children’s lives and rights, while recognizing institutions and causes that make sure that African children are able to reach their full potential. Furthermore, it is a call for action for the world to engage itself in making sure that these initiatives are spread, and can impact even more African children.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “To leave no child behind for Africa’s Development”, in line with the objectives of Agenda 2030, and this can be established by promoting every child rights to education and health, as the starting points to children’s development.
{{Understanding our context
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Africa’s population is increasing at a fast rate.
In 8 years, her population has gone from 1.04 billion to 1.28 billion people, and of these 1.28 billion, 580 million are children. Africa’s child population accounts for almost a quarter of the world child population and 42.9% of Rwanda’s population is under the age of 15. These exponential numbers already predict a continuous increase but also emphasize the need for these children to have even more access to quality health and education, to become the empowered and dignified people able to drive the sustainable development of this continent.
So to play its part in the realization of this vision, Imbuto Foundation, have built at the core of all socio-economic work, a holistic model following the growth of our citizens from childhood, to adolescence, youth and adulthood.
{{Healthy beginnings
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Imbuto Foundation’s first programme, Family Package, was launched in 2001 in response to the severe HIV and AIDS epidemic, heightened by mass rapes during the 1994 Genocide.
According to the National Centre for Biomedical Information, in 2001, the rate of mother to child transmission of HIV&AIDS Virus was 30.5%. Having observed these staggering statistics, Imbuto Foundation’s call for action through Family Package, was to engage these mothers in standard health care practices that would ensure that they are in good health, and for their children to be protected from infection.
Thus, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) services were made imperative in order to give these children a fair chance at life. Such initiatives have allowed Rwanda to spearhead the goal of reducing the rate of HIV prevalence among pregnant women to 0.8%. Other services offered in this programme include family planning, nutritional balance, psychosocial support and partner involvement.
To date, 26,647 HIV+ people are followed up the PMTCT component.
A nurtured and developed mind is important for a child to grow and compete within their environment. It has been widely recognized that children need this developmental stimulation at earlier stages of their childhood, in order to flourish in school. Having identified the need for a programme that would provide basic cognitive and language skills, Imbuto Foundation started the Early Childhood Development and Family (ECD&F) project in 2013. Currently implemented within 15 districts, this project supports children aged between 0-6 years with integrated health and nutrition services offered in ECD centres, but also through home visitations and home-based services. To date, 14,434 children and 12,856 parents have benefited from these integrated ECD services, and children like Kubaho Jabo from Rwamagana ECD centre are prime examples of the benefits of these integrated services.
Kubaho Jabo has since he completed this ECD programme, gone on to become top of his class in Primary 1, with an average of 90%. Thanks to the ludic interactions taught through these ECD services, it has been observed that children improve their social skills and have better communication with those around them.
{{Knowledge as a tool for empowerment
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According to the Statistical Yearbook 2017 published by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, the dropout and repetition rates are 18.4% and 5.7% respectively. One of the reasons for these dropout rates were students being discouraged by their poor performance.
To answer this challenge, Imbuto Foundation focused on the need to reduce these dropout rates and launched the “Twige Neza Dutsinde” project, which translates to “Let us study well and succeed”. This project, still in its pilot phase, aims at improving access to remedial learning services by pairing students into learning clubs with teacher-mentors. The focus of this initiative is to help students improve their numeracy and literacy skills, and is currently operating in 10 districts with 5 primary schools in each district.
It is important for a child to be raised and educated with values and a mindset that leads to success and self-actualization. It is even more important for these values to be instilled in them at a young age to protect them from anything that could put them at a disadvantage.
Adolescent girls in Rwanda face numerous issues related to their Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRH&R) because they sometimes lack adequate education on the notion. To ensure that these young girls are emancipated and allowed to evolve, Imbuto Foundation empowered them through the 12+ project, which equipped girls aged 10-12 years with Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH), financial fitness and leadership skills. These young girls also have mentors; young women aged 18-25 with whom they get to discuss the challenges they face, in a safe space.
{{Staging the course for a thriving future
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Africa has made tremendous efforts towards ending AIDS. According to UNAIDS, since 2010, there has been a 56% drop in new HIV infections among children. Though these numbers are promising, there is still a lot of work to be done. Empowering the youth with information on Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRH&R) as well as HIV&AIDS is the first step towards this continuous fight. Imbuto Foundation’s contribution and response is communicated through the Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRH&R) and Mountain Movers projects.
The Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights project was started in 2010 and it links in and out of school youth with their health centres in order to access youth-friendly services availed at their nearest health centres. Campaign and sensitization events are also used as an approach to communicate the importance of Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) in their lives and the need to communicate its importance to their peers.
The Mountain Movers project, equips the youth with knowledge on HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) prevention so that they can access the prevention and treatment services available at the health centres. Another component that is used in both these projects is the Parents-adolescents Communication (PAC) forums, which gather parents and their children to discuss SRH issues.
In an effort to facilitate the art of conversation between parent and child, a guide document in the format of a booklet, “Tuganire Mwana Wanjye” loosely translated to “Let us discuss together, my child”, was developed.
These forums help break down barriers between these two generations, and allow a safe environment for conversation. Initiatives like these do play a fundamental role in helping children access their rights to quality health and education, for a brighter future.
Thanks to various catalyzing collaborations, Imbuto Foundation continues its journey to fulfill its vision of a nation made of empowered and dignified Rwandans, starting with the protection and promotion of children’s rights, while observing every year, the International Day of the African Child, as a reminder that we all have a role to play in advocating for policies and programmes leaving no child behind.
Niyigena Jean de Dieu, one of the Orphans living in Niboyi Peace Village thanked Rwanda Patriotic Army that saved them from the hands of the killers. They also congratulated the Rwanda Military Hospital for its endless support in either medication or other various support, but mostly in its long-lasting comfort that gives them hope to live.
“We are very thankful for all what you did, your support when we were too young requesting for every needs but now we have become responsible, we can help others” Niyigena said.
The Commandant of Rwanda Military Hospital, Col Dr Jean Paul BITEGA promised an unwavering and continued support to the orphans in their long journey of rebuilding their lives. He reiterated that fighting the genocide and its ideology requires concerted efforts by maintaining what has been so far achieved. “Rwandan youth should be ready to contribute and support the visionary Rwandan leadership”, Col Bitega told the Niboye Peace Village Genocide Survivors before handing to the village the collected military hospital’s support to the orphans.
Every year, Rwanda Military Hospitals spares time to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and comforts Niboye Peace Village Orphans, as a sign of showing them love, comfort and solidarity.
He does his business from Kirehe District of the Eastern Province.
The head of Real Green Gold Company got his idea back in 2016 after completing university studies.
He says he conceived the business idea of exporting ripe bananas to the European market but found no way out.
“I challenged myself and wondered that if people in Europe consume ripe bananas from South-America, why Rwandans having such quantity of bananas do not export them? I had no farm for banana plantation and had no investment,” he says.
Nshimiyimana has started selling ripe bananas and different varieties of banana on the local market.
Nshimiyimana attributes his achievements to the support by an international non-profit organization, These Numbers Have Faces.
At the beginning, besides having the business idea, Nshimiyimana had no capital, mentor nor advisor on the ways to implement his business idea.
“After pitching my business idea to These Numbers Have Faces, they validated it and supported me in all ways towards implementation. At the beginning (in April 2016), they gave me starting capital of $500 non-refundable which facilitated me to rent a farm and planted new banana plantation. At this point, I had proved that the business was possible,” he says.
“In October, 2016 they gave me refundable investment of $1,000 which I successfully used and refunded,” he said adding that he targets to acquire new funding which would facilitate him to export ripe bananas to the European market.
“Recently, I was speaking to Rwandans living in Europe; they told me that bananas are expensive. As we have RwandAir flying Europe, I need to use such advantage and start exportation in the near future,” he explained.
Currently, Nshimiyimana employs five permanent workers and plans to start training 300 neighbors on modern banana plantation growing practices.
Like Nshimiyimana, Jeannette Umutoniwase, the head of Inzira Dreams Network, a handicraft business making clothes, bags and jewelries was also facilitated by the organisation.
The Nyarugenge based businesswoman was trained in making trendy objects.
“I joined this organization in November last year. My business was to recycle plastic bottles and make earrings; I was trained in making productive objects and currently, I am making bags, clothes and shoes,” she said.
According to Umutoniwase, the project has become successful in terms of financial income.
“At the beginning I used to earn Rwf20,000 per month, but last month only, I earned Rwf244,000 free from other expenses,” she said adding that she employs two workers.
The youth were sharing their business experiences Friday in Kigali at the graduation ceremony of 30 youth who were supported and mentored by These Numbers Have Faces through their Accelerate Academy.
According to the Director of Accelerate Academy, Olivier Habumugisha the programme supports youth with finances and materials to implement their projects.
“They are working in different sectors of the economy of the country; we support them in all ways so that they develop themselves and contribute to the country’s development,” he explained.
The Executive Director of These Numbers Have Faces, Jim Pressenell, said that the youth businesses are contributing to the development of communities.
“Young entrepreneurs are identifying a problem and creating solutions to that problem. They are making a difference in all kinds of lives in Rwanda,” he said.
He says that the biggest challenge they face is many entrepreneurs seeking to join the programme.
The Programme has graduated 82 business people since it was launched back in 2015.
Ni Nyampinga Sakwe, a hugely popular radio Soap Opera follows the lives of its seven young characters with the challenges and friendships they face along the way. The song Iyo Wishimye – meaning ‘When We Are Happy’ – marks the end of season 2 and it is a celebration of friendship and creativity.
The drama was the first initiative by Ni Nyampinga brand – set up by Girl Effect Rwanda – to allow the topic of platonic friendships to be explored through the story lines.
Emma Roscoe, Country Director of Girl Effect Rwanda, voiced her enthusiasm for the way the audience had warmed up to the radio drama.
“We’ve been so pleased to hear back from our audience how much they enjoyed series 2. As the young characters continue to explore the challenges and opportunities of being teenagers we are pleased to know our audience are relating to their storylines and both enjoying and learning from their lives.”
At the end of series 1, the five girls in the cast came together to form a band and released a song. However, by the end of series 2, the boys have also become part of the band too – Iyo Wishimye is a powerful celebration of the positivity of young people coming together.
“We know from the release of our first single, Uri Njye how popular the music element of Ni Nyampinga Sakwe is.” Emma Roscoe continued, “Our audience has been asking us for another song and we are really happy to be sharing Iyo Wishimye with them. Music is such a powerful way of connecting with our audience and helping us to build on the key messages both in the drama and also in our other Ni Nyampinga platforms like the magazine, website, talk radio shows and clubs.”
Ni Nyampingai Nyampinga is Girl Effect’s flagship brand—a creative non-profit that uses media and mobile technology to empower girls, in Rwanda. Made by girls, for girls Ni Nyampinga wants to create a world in which girls are educated, healthy, safe and economically empowered. We believe that when girls do well, everyone benefits. Together with girls across Rwanda, we want all girls to feel empowered to make decisions about their own lives and act on them.
Every year the day is celebrated by Olympians across the world on 23 June, to rejoice the founding of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the modern Olympic Movement by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894.
RNOSC First Vice President, Madam Felicite Rwemalika who was present said that to mark the day, the Olympic week celebrations kicked off Wednesday with mini football competitions like this one taking place at Kamena Huye stadium.
“The Olympic week celebration is aimed at ensuring that the positive values of the Olympic Movement, excellence, respect and friendship, are promoted among the children, “She revealed.
In his message, Thomas Bach, the IOC President has reminded the National Olympic Committees that the Olympic day is an excellent way to encourage all people to lead healthy and active lives, while promoting the role of sport in society.
Currently 206 classrooms are under construction across the country and some of them reached the final stage in different districts such as Kayonza, Gatsibo in Eastern Province. Classrooms are about to be finished in Gasabo and Kamonyi Districts.
Habanabashaka J Baptist, Director at Groupe Scolaire Kagugu in Gasabo District, told the Press that the joint initiative by RDF and citizens to construct classrooms was very timely. He said that GS Kagugu has 80 students per class and used morning and afternoon shifts to deal with the high number of students.
Currently 12 modern classrooms are under construction at the School.
“This will reduce overcrowded classrooms and impact on quality of our education. RDF is doing us good because the development commences with these young students,” he said.
At Groupe Scolaire Mbati in Kamonyi District, classrooms accommodate from 60 to 70 students. To address this, 7 classrooms are currently under construction and this will reduce the classroom congestion down to 50 students.
The standard and target classroom occupation is 45 students per class in the near future according to School Authorities.
The event has been dubbed ‘Rwanda Cultural Night’ and is expected to be an opportunity to celebrate Rwanda’s unique culture and its role in transforming the country. It will be part of many cultural shows that will serve to spread and celebrate Rwanda’s culture throughout the world.
According to Kagabo Jacques, the Director of Rwanda Updates and organizer of this event, his innate desire is for Rwandans living abroad to put Rwandan cultural values at the centre of their lives and not be taken with Foreign Cultures.
Kagabo Jacques added that these shows will link Rwandans living abroad, give them an opportunity to celebrate the successes of their country, and reflect on their cultural values.
Among those who will be performing at the event, features Knowless Butera, who recently hinted that she would be performing in Mozambique and Zambia; King James, Masamba Intore, Impala Orchestre and Mr Bow, a Mozambican who will be performing at the event.
Speaking with IGIHE, Louis Baziga, a Rwandan living in Mozambique, said that the Rwandan Diaspora was impatiently awaiting for the performers and the show in general.
“Our Culture is what makes us who we are. It is of immense value and pride to have Rwandans united here in Mozambique, as it is a time to put a limelight on what glues us together, and it is none other than our culture,” he said
Baziga added that the show will be a great opportunity to uphold Rwandan Cultural values.
