Rwanda Scouts Association says it is embarking on activities to rally the youth on development through embracing government programmes.

The pledge was made at the launch of the Scouts Week in Huye District, Southern Province, where scouts from various parts of the country are gathered.

The week will run under the theme, "Scout, be the catalyst in promoting civic education among the youth.”

During the launch, over 600 eucalyptus and cyprus trees were planted in Butare Cell in Ngoma Sector, which the association say is in the line with government’s policy on climate change.

The Scouts Week, that started at the weekend, runs until March 1.

"Our purpose is to sensitise the youth to feel ownership of and implement the government policies and make scouts the pace-setters for the other youth to work hard in building the country,” Fidèle Gakuba, the general-commissioner of Rwanda Scouts Association, said.

The scouts will engage in activities like planting of trees, building and rehabilitating houses for the vulnerable and clearing Genocide memorial sites.

Gakuba said, so far, they had identified about 10 houses from Rusizi and Gasabo districts, which will be rehabilitated.

"We want to also involve the scouts in fighting all the vices that are detrimental to development. These include HIV/Aids, drug abuse, gender-based violence and human trafficking especially for girls. We work closely with police and the National Youth Council to ensure these issues are addressed,” Gakuba said.

Norbert Mbabazi, the head of scouts in Huye District, said they will also give clothing and feed vulnerable patients in various hospitals.

All the activities are in the framework of what they call ‘Good Turn.

The activities will be held across the country and the closing of the Scouts Week will be held in Nyandungu, Kicukiro District.

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