The Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali has, on June 30, donated Rwf 3.5 million to GAERG, the Alumni of Genocide Survivors’ Students Association, for their project named Nyunganira that aims to support Genocide widows around the country.
The event was held in Kinyinya Sector in Gasabo District. There, the staff of the complex met with Avega-Agahozo who lives in the area, and other members of the Genocide widows association.
According to Rob Kucera, General Manager of the complex, the Radisson Hotel Group’s philosophy is a responsible business.
He stated that while they are able to grow their business in a city, it is important that they support the community and help them grow.
That’s why through their management team, they decided to support the Genocide widows as 100 days of remembrance of the Genocide against the Tutsi are still ongoing, a moment he said brings a perfect opportunity for them to be their family and help them move forward.
“Our hospitality sector has been affected by COVID-19,but we believe that Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre will recover its contribution to the community as business resumes” he said.
He noted that it’s significant, particularly hearing testimonies from Genocide widows, for it comes more naturally.
“You read much information about Genocide, you go to Genocide memorial or hear other people speak about it, but it is natural when somebody is telling a testimony and then touches everybody from that point of view because that’s what they went through. They are the heroes of surviving and getting through, and the government has been supportive of them since 1994. We are just going to help with our part,” he said.
Fidele Nsengiyaremye (Executive Director of GAERG) thanked the complex and said that it was for Genocide widows in a Kinyinya Sector group called Icyizere that meets regularly for group therapy to combat the effects of Genocide, primarily in terms of mental health.
He stated that after having discussions, they realized that they weren’t enough and decided that Nyunganira Project would be started to raise funds to help Genocide widows. They want to have chicken farms so they can have employment, have a responsibility and earn money to help their basic needs.
He said that apart from that, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center has become a family and will continue to support its activities.
The Genocide widows of Kinyinya Sector will be able to obtain the chickens by December 2022.
Epiphanie Mukankubito is the President of the Association of Genocide Widows, Avega–Agahozo Kinyinya Sector. It consists of 54 members. She said that the chickens would help them get money and basic needs, and also provide the nutrients they need.
The Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center is preparing to welcome the widows at the complex for a tour and a memorable meal to be shared.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com
Source: rnewtimes
