SOUTHERN PROVINCE

Thousands of orphans and street children in Gitarama spent a week long paying tribute to the late Margrit Fuchs, a Swiss national who supported vulnerable people in former Gitarama Province.

The mourning week ended on August 2, and was dedicated to remembering the exemplary life of Margrit and her charity activities she offered to Rwandans. 

As part of the commemoration, the week was dedicated to taking care of orphans and patients, donating livestock and building houses for vulnerable families.

Margrit died July last year at 90 years, in a fatal motor accident while on her way to Butare to visit orphans supported by her charity organisation -the Social Bureau of Gitarama (BSG).

At the time of her death, the Social Bureau of Gitarama was supporting 370 street children and paying school fees for over 1,200 students in secondary and university education.

The closing function in Gitarama town was attended by Member of Parliament (MP) Thomas Habimana, hundreds of orphans, street children, parents, local and religious leaders.

Habimana and Fr. Josphat Hitimana, and the late Margrit founded the charity organisation back in 1989.  

Ferdinand Ntarwango, the coordinator of BSG, said the life of Margrit dwells in the memories of all the vulnerable people.

"Margrit loved Rwandans and she was more than an expatriate, but a daughter of Rwanda. She loved to help suffering people and always encouraged Rwandans to work hard,” Ntarwango said.

He also noted that the Margrit Charity Foundation has been established and some of the unfinished projects will be implemented.

He appealed to Rwandans to emulate the late Margrit in order to address issues of street children and orphans.

Beneficiaries of the Margrit’s foundation praised her life and activities through songs, poems and drama. Most of them prayed for her soul to rest in peace and let her light shine on.

A letter that Margrit reportedly wrote to God before she died, read in part, "… Bless what I did, protect those I loved, accomplish the things that I have desired to do, and complete what I have failed.” This letter was read to mourners.

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