Rwanda National Police (RNP) peacekeepers serving as Individual Police Officers (IPOs) under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) donated an assortment of dormitory items and food stuff to orphans of the 2013 crisis.

In an exercise held at the orphanage home of Orthodox Mission of Byzantine of Bimbo on Saturday, the IPOs donated bedding including mattresses, bedsheets, bedcovers, mosquito nets and mats.

The donations, which were mainly meant for the orphans aged below five years, also include toys, basic hygienic items including basins, towels, shoes and soaps.

They also donated food stuff that included rice, cooking oil and biscuits.

In the event that also attracted top MINUSCA officials, including the Police Commissioner, Brig Gen. Roland Zamora, they also conducted Umuganda, communal work to clean up the compound of the center to ensure total hygiene for the children.

The support was procured from a financial contribution by each of the 36 IPOs currently serving in CAR as mentors and advisers. The exercise was also attended by the residents of Bimbo.

MINUSCA Police Commissioner, Brig. Gen. Zamora, while speaking at the event, lauded the initiative, and pointed out that "it’s a historical example that Rwandan peacekeepers have set for the whole peacekeeping component in CAR.”

Senior Superintendent of Police Andrew Ndoli, who spoke on behalf of the Rwandan peacekeepers, talked of tolerance, social cohesion and reconciliation as essential factors in the reconstruction and transformation of the country.

He also referred to the humanitarian activity as "Build a life of dignity for orphans by showing empathy.”

"This activity aims at helping the orphans of the Orthodox Mission of Byzantine of Bimbo to build a life of dignity by providing them with basic items for their dormitories and conducting cleaning activities in their compound as well as raising awareness amongst tutors and neighboring population on security, tolerance, nonviolence and reconciliation so as to ensure a peaceful environment for today’s children and tomorrow’sCAR citizens,” said SSP Ndoli.

The event was attended by the Governor of the Ombella-M’Poko, Pierre Claver Zinga and the Rwanda Formed Police Unit (FPU) Contingent Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Elias Mwesigye.

Rwanda also maintains three police contingents in CAR; two Formed Police Units and one Protection Support Unit (PSU), each composed of 140 officers.

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