Miss Rwanda 2014, Colombe Akiwacu, has handed over two new homes to four Genocide survivors in Rwamagana District, Eastern Province, as she unveiled her project that she has been working on since 2014.

It has been five years since Akiwacu started the construction works of the four-roomed structure and has spent over Rwf18 million to complete it. The house contains washrooms and kitchen plus well-furnished beds and sofa.

Located in Bwiza Cell, Kigabiro Sector, the two-in-one housing unit will be home to four Genocide survivors identified as Collette Twagiramariya, Euphrasie Nyirabega, 80, Didacinne Dusabimana, 35, and Grace Kagoyire,30.

The view of the new home for the Genocide survivors.

Akiwacu worked with Avega Agahozo- Rwamagana to identify genocide widows who were in need of new homes, before she could raise funds to implement her construction project.

She revealed she had to use her Miss Rwanda title to knock on the sponsors’ doors looking for support, and was excited by their reception and their willingness to support her.

 "It has taken me so long to build this house but, finally, I am happy that I achieved what I started. I would like to thank all my sponsors without whom I would not have accomplished anything by myself,” she said.

Miss Akiwacu speaks during the handover of the new homes.

She told The New Times, that it was not easy to do it all by herself, because she could not follow up on the construction works of the house as she was busy with her studies in France.

Her father, however, did all the coordination during the construction until it was completed.

It was not easy but I am the kind who never gives up, I had to do my best until it’s done. I’m grateful to my dad who followed up all the construction works in my absence and I am also grateful with the way the district and the province administration collaborated with me in this journey. I hope this is just the beginning as we can do more together in people’s interests,” she said.

It was a moment of joy as former Rwanda Akiwacu and different officials in Eastern Province were joined by residents at the event.

"We are thankful for Akiwacu’s support. She is young and had nothing but a willing heart to help. She used her name to achieve what she started, and many can now look up to her. We ought to think of what we can do for our country and play a part in finding solutions to problems that exist in our communities,” said Fred Mufulukye, the Governor of Eastern Province.

Collette Twagiramariya, 68, one of the beneficiaries, said: "I don’t have a lot to say because I do not know how I can thank her for what she did for us. We would like to thank her...may God bless her,” she said.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com