In a noble gesture to recognise caregivers, Park Inn Hotel Kigali by Radisson Hotels has honoured the women who look after children in SOS Children’s Villages.

To show appreciation, the women were hosted to a gala dinner at the Kiyovu-based hotel on Friday night.

The activity was part of events to celebrate 40 years SOS Children’s Village has been operating in Rwanda.

Participants remarks by Bernard Theron, the General Manager of Park Inn by Radisson Kigali (Craish Bahizi)

Radisson Hotel Group became a global partner of SOS Children’s villages in 2018, engaging its 1,400 hotels to support the work of SOS.

Park Inn by Radisson Kigali, in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages strives to align both its missions to provide food, shelter and a better future to children across the country.

The objective of the gala dinner was to show appreciation to the women who dedicate their time and effort to take care of the children 365 days in a year.

The 70 women, who attended the event were from SOS Children’s Villages in Nyamagabe, Gicumbi and Kayonza districts, as well as Kigali.

Bernard Theron, the General Manager of Park Inn by Radisson Kigali, applauded the women’s work.

 "It has been a great pleasure working with SOS Children’s Villages. We are in partnership as one big family,” he said.

He said that celebrating with the mothers is part of the hotel’s commitment to give back to the community.

"We were invited to SOS Children’s Villages 40-year celebration as well,” he said adding that it is a great attachment of friendship.

Some of the activities organised by SOS Children’s villages include Christmas celebration in Kayonza, donation box in Park Inn lobby, house building with SOS Children’s village Kacyiru in Kigali, internships for graduates from SOS Children’s villages to help them build their careers.

"An event like this is one of our activities to support SOS Children’s Villages worldwide where our hotels are located. The activities are different. We are committed to help them improve vulnerable children’s lives. That is why we organise such occasions to meet and appreciate the mothers who take care of the children,” he said.

Women recognised some officials from Park Inn by Radisson Hotel as the hotel hosted the Gala Dinner (Craish Bahizi)

Theron said that under responsible business principles, the hotel caters for community’s lives.

Park Inn Hotel in Kigali inked partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda in different areas will benefit thousands of children.

The four agreements were signed in April 2019, with commitments of providing an annual sponsorship to SOS Children’s Villages, giving the youth at SOS Children’s Villages internship and job placements in the hotel when available.

The hotel also committed to organize and facilitate fundraising events whenever possible for SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda.

The agreements also include placing donation boxes at Park Inn by Radisson Blu for donations by the hotel’s generous clients.

Liberal Seburikoko, SOS Children’s Villages Country Director considers the mothers who take care of the children "unsung heroes”.

"We all work to make sure no child is left alone. These are usually children with problems, children who have trauma, others have disability, sickness and these mothers stick with them day and night. It is quite amazing.

Some of the Women in charge of chilcdren at SOS Children’s organisation  pose for a group photo during the event in Kigali (Craish Bahizi)

These are unsung heroes who often go unnoticed but they have great impact on lives. I’m very pleased that Park Inn hotel thought about them, recognized and honored them. It is truly something I am very much happy with” he said.

He applauded the mothers who catered for the children over the 40 year-period.

Anna Uwera, one of the recognised women, said the honoring event was an unusual day.

"We can’t forget about this recognition. It is unusual day for us. It is the first time we meet like these as mothers. We thank the management of Park Inn hotel for thinking about this great event. We thank our Country Director for the imitative,” she said.

The women offered Igisoro, a two-player game of the mancala family, to the Park Inn hotel’s General Manager, and urged him to play it with his children at home, as a symbol of family unity.