Clean up exercise for Genocide Memorial sites

KAYONZA – Genocide Memorial sites in Eastern province are getting a face lift ahead of the Genocide Commemoration week. The Association of Committed Teachers (ACT) in Rwanda, a group bringing together members of the teaching profession in the province unveiled the programme yesterday.

Tuesday, April 06, 2010
ACT members kicked off the clean up exercise yesterday. (Photo: V. Gafaranga)

KAYONZA – Genocide Memorial sites in Eastern province are getting a face lift ahead of the Genocide Commemoration week.

The Association of Committed Teachers (ACT) in Rwanda, a group bringing together members of the teaching profession in the province unveiled the programme yesterday.

Over 73 members of ACT joined residents of Mukarange sector in kicking off this exercise within the area’s memorial site.

Damien Nkurunziza ACT Vice Chairman said that they have started with the Mukarange site, but intend to go to many other sites during the country’s commemoration period.

Nkurunziza said that ACT’s mission has broad objectives. He said that the Association is also involved in efforts to forge unity, and reconciliation in Rwanda.

"Our primary objective is to cater for the needs of our teachers…but we go a mile further by trying to restore sanity in society. We for instance, encourage teachers who participated in the genocide to ask for forgiveness, hence paving the way for reconciliation,” he said.

Anonsiyata Kibukayire, a resident of the area thanked ACT officials for the commendable work they did on the site.
According to the Vice Chairman, ACT expects to continue the work in four other districts; Gatsibo, Bugesera, Nyagatare and Rwmagana.

Over 3,630 bodies of those who perished during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi were laid to rest at Mukarange memorial site in Kayonza district, officials confirmed.

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