Regional insurance services giant, Britam Holdings’ Rwanda subsidiary, Britam Rwanda on Friday handed over houses it had renovated for widows of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The houses, which were five in number, were in bad shape prior to the renovation given that they had wooden doors and windows that thieves would use to break into the widows’ homes and steal the widows’ belongings almost on a daily basis.

As narrated by the widows during the handover ceremony that took place in Rwangara Parish, Ntarama Sector in Bugesera District, on top of the theft problem they faced, they lived in constant fear that the houses would collapse anytime soon given that they were built more than 20 years ago, soon after the genocide.

"You can imagine the state of a mud-house that was built in 1997. This is why we felt that as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility we need to engage in sustainable projects such as these. Handing the widows money or food items wouldn’t have been enough,” Reuben Kibiru, the Britam Insurance Rwanda Chief Executive Officer told reporters shortly after touring the renovated houses with his staff.

"The ladies can now sleep in comfortable houses that are safe from break-ins and durable. We are definitely looking at renovating more houses as the government leadership will advise us,” he noted.

There are 122 families staying in Rwangara, 76 of whom are genocide widows living with their families.

One of the widows, Julian Nyirababeruka, told journalists how thieves could steal everything from her house including food, water in jerry cans and chairs simply by pushing the doors down.

"I am happy that I am going to be staying in a house that is well-locked and safe. The tranquility given by the glass windows and metal doors will enable me to live a comfortable and healthy life,” she said.

When asked about the total cost, the CEO said we need to appreciate the bigger value, improving the lives of our elderly parents

He also pledged medical support for Ms Nyirababeruka who had an untreated wound on her left palm.

About Britam Holdings Limited

Britam is a diversified financial services group, listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The group has interests across the Eastern and Southern Africa region, with offices in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Mozambique and Malawi.The group offers a wide range of financial products and services in Insurance, Asset management, Banking and Property. The product range includes:life, health and general insurance, pensions, unit trusts, investment planning, wealth management, off-shore investments, retirement planning, discretionary portfolio management, Property development and private Equity.

For more information please visit http://www.britam.com