KIGALI - Students from Green Hills Academy yesterday handed over a cheque worth Rwf1m to Haiti children following the catastrophic earthquake that claimed thousands of lives and left millions homeless.

According to Ran Wallace, the Head teacher of the school, the fundraising was a students’ initiative aimed at helping the needy Haitians.

Presenting the cheque on behalf of the students, Juliet Musabeyezu said that the fundraising was part of their efforts to reach out to their fellow children in Haiti who are suffering consequences of the earthquake.

"We are extending our sincere condolences and solidarity of strength to the people of Haiti, especially the children, affected by a catastrophic quake. We as Rwandans fully understand their situation given similar difficult times we went through,” said Musabeyezu.

Receiving the cheque, Didi Farmer, a Haitian national working in Rwanda for the Partners in Health, said she is profoundly touched by the sympathetic gesture by the young Rwandans.

"We are not much thankful for the amount we are receiving, but rather strongly impressed by such kind hearts of not only these students, but of the entire Rwandan society,” noted Farmer.

Green Hills support follows the recent donation of Rwf 56m by the government.

The massive earthquake struck Haiti on January 12 leaving the biggest part of Port-au-Prince, the capital, in rubble.
A preliminary assessment from Haiti’s government put the number of victims at 150,000.

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