Challenges Rwanda Commemorates the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi with Survivors of Gacyamo Cell
As part of our Challenges tradition to honour and remember over one million Tutsis massacred in the 1994 Genocide and assist in building our communities, Challenges Rwanda organized an event to help the families who are survivors. In the past, Challenges partnered with a coffee cooperative to identify a survivor who is in a vulnerable position hence receiving support. This year was special since as a company we wanted to extend our hand by reaching many survivors using the available resources. This is why we organized a commemoration activity in which the main purpose was to pay medical insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) for 273 people from 64 families. Challenges’ role as a community partner is vital in helping these families wade through this difficult period of their lives.
In partnership with Grown to Help, a local youth organization based in Nyarugenge District that aims at transforming the lives of children from vulnerable families and helping their parents to develop self-reliance, we were able to identify those families within the Gitega sector, Gacyamo cell. We believe that every citizen should have easy access to health services and essential medicines as to why helping families in vulnerable situations was critical. After the Genocide, the government and local institutions’ focus was on rebuilding the nation. Today’s focus is on eradicating poverty and resolving existing social issues in which health equity is being put forward. Therefore, this was an opportunity to emphasize the role of having health insurance in Rwanda and being part of the Ejo Heza program, a long-term saving scheme reserved for all people in Rwanda. This event took place on 27th May in this sector and the local leaders present reminded people of the importance of community health insurance, as it is a basic need for everyone.
People coming together for the event helped to emphasize with the survivors, remember what happened, and promote togetherness. It also served as a channel to engage the community in terms of knowing what Challenges Rwanda does and our role in building resilient economies.
Emmanuel Kwizera, Challenges Rwanda’s Senior Associate on behalf of the company, highlighted the importance of remembrance and facilitating the survivors by making sure the future of others is secured. He also stated that health should always come first. The reason why we decided to commemorate is by also ensuring health is served first. Later, the Sector’s executive secretary in his speech focused on the role of availing affordable medical facilities as a way to ensure citizens’ wellbeing, and continue building the country.
As a generation, we must keep this culture of helping each other. The event was opened to other citizens of the cell who also paid insurance for their neighbours. We were so thrilled to see people pledging to pay for more people in that community and inspiring others to do so. As a company, we remember what happened and we are together with the survivors. Most importantly, we are doing our role to build a strong country.
