National and International Voluntary organizations in Rwanda yesterday joined efforts to contribute to the 9-Year Basic Education as part of celebrations to mark the Internatinal Volunteers Day.

Under the local theme "I am Rwanda’s volunteer for Rwanda’s development”, organizations made their contribution at Akumunigo Primary School, Rugarama in Nyamirambo, Nyarugenge district.

Over 600 men and women took part in the ongoing construction of seven classrooms at the school.

Voluntary organizations that participated included Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), U.S Peace Corps Rwanda, Lov-Rwanda and Scouts, among others.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Bonaventure Manirakiza, the president of Lov-Rwanda, a national network of volunteering organizations, said contributing to the 9-Year Basic Education was a priority.

"There is urgent need for constructing classes to make the 9-Year Basic Education a success and this makes it a priority, to make our contribution in marking today’s celebrations,” Manirakiza said.  

He explained that there is always need for people to recognize and engage in urgent programs, to foster national development.

Jean Rene Shema, the National Volunteering Programme Manager, said the partnership between government and voluntary organizations, calls for collective efforts in implementing national policies.

"Voluntary organizations have had good partnership with the government. It is therefore relevant to collectively fight towards achieving a common goal,” Shema said.

He urged and encouraged the society to consider volunteerism as one of the routes towards achieving national development.

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