KICUKIRO - The Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) Monday unveiled a Rfw2.5 billion housing estate of 176 shelters for ex-combatants with disabilities. The 176 units that were constructed in Nyarugunga in Kicukiro District, were yesterday handed over to the beneficiaries who are severely disabled in the 90 percent and above category of disability. During an interview with The New Times, the RDRC Chairman, Jean Sayinzoga, commended all the stakeholders in this project, especially the World Bank, for being mindful about the plight of the ex-combatants.
KICUKIRO - The Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) Monday unveiled a Rfw2.5 billion housing estate of 176 shelters for ex-combatants with disabilities.
The 176 units that were constructed in Nyarugunga in Kicukiro District, were yesterday handed over to the beneficiaries who are severely disabled in the 90 percent and above category of disability.
During an interview with The New Times, the RDRC Chairman, Jean Sayinzoga, commended all the stakeholders in this project, especially the World Bank, for being mindful about the plight of the ex-combatants.
‘‘We felt it was a necessity to construct houses for the disabled ex-combatants because, just like the rest of the citizens, they needed to live a normal and decent life and this means a lot in our mission of empowering theses people,’’ said Sayinzoga.
He further disclosed that ensuring that they get shelter is just one of the many initiatives his commission is involved in, adding that they have also embarked on training them in vocational skills such as repairing electronics like TV’s and radio.
Sayinzoga said that the prospective beneficiaries of the houses were selected by a commission of medical personnel which screened those to get the houses and the types of houses they would get depending on the extent of their disabilities.
The beneficiaries decided locations of their liking and that’s where their houses were constructed, and according to Sayinzoga, all this was done to ensure that they live a desirable life in a motivating environment.
During an interview with Sam Ruhorahoza, one of the beneficiaries, he could not hide the excitement of being given a fully furnished house
‘‘I am so gratified by the compassionate offer our government has made to us, for sure we needed places of our own to call home, during the conception of this idea, I couldn’t believe that this would come to reality, but finally here it is,”,said the visibly ecstatic Ruhorahoza.
He also commended the government for the self-help skills it has started passing on to them and also called upon the government to continue being near them for guidance and support.
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