The National Commission for Children (NCC) this week hosted orphans and vulnerable children for Christmas in Huye District, showering each with gifts.
The ceremony, held Tuesday, brought together at least 250 children and their guardians drawn from Gishamvu, Tumba and Ngoma sectors.
This year’s event was held with the objective of raising awareness about the importance of raising children in a family set-up and the promotion of children’s rights.
Aloys Ndagijimana, the acting Executive Secretary of NCC, said that every child should enjoy Christmas, adding that it was the responsibility of parents to care for the young.
The event was organised in partnership with FXB Rwanda, an NGO that promotes children’s rights.
Hundreds of children between pre-school age and 17 years celebrated Christmas, and were given gifts. Moise M. Bahati
FXB Rwanda operates in nine districts with different projects that seek the better conditions for children and their families.
FXB Huye representative, Nadine Mujawamariya, said that there was need to get closer to children, reminding the adults the value of talking to children.
"We have largely ignored the importance of talking to our children. Raising a child does not end with sending them to school or feeding them. We need to take care of the emotions of our children,” she added.
The Vice Mayor in charge for Social Affairs of Huye district Annonciatta Kankesha said that children have the right to grow up in a family and living a better life.
Kankesha commended the guardians for contributing to giving the children proper upbringing, adding that more people should follow this lead.
The children had leisure time.
Sarah Niyonizera is a 34-year-old parent who has adopted two children.
She says that celebrating Christmas with children, especially the vulnerable is important.
"This really shows that our effort to raise children in the family is appreciated. It is also an opportunity to express some of the challenges that we face,” she said.
In Huye District 80 guardians raise children of different categories including orphans, children living with disabilities. There are around 2,200 guardians in Rwanda.
Guardians were also at the Christmas celebration with children. There are 80 guardians in Huye district.
Since 2013, at least 3,151 children have been placed in family-based care, out of 3,323 living in orphanages, which was implemented in the "Tubarerere Mu Muryango”, a program run by government in partnership with UNICEF and different NGOs.