MUHANGA – Residents in Muhanga district have been urged to respect the rights of the physically challenged.
The call was made by Léoncie Mukamwezi, the director of Handicap Rwandais Rehabilite Reintegre ses Driots (HRD), an organization championing the rights of the physically challenged, during the organisation’s 10th anniversary which was marked on Monday in Nyamabuye sector.

The event was marked with a 10km march through Gitarama town with the physically challenged children sensitising residents on the need to respect and support persons living with disabilities.

Mukamwezi said that the celebrations focused mainly on sensitising the local populace to undertake initiatives of supporting physically challenged persons.

"We need all residents to respect the rights of persons living with disabilities in our community. The role of parents is vital; such children should be brought to the attention of the institution,” Mukamwezi said.

Only 58 of the 275 children with various impairments in Muhanga district have been sent to HRD, according to sources.

HRD has so far registered over 250 children with various impairments, into its programmes, who are, in turn supported to live ordinary social lives.

Some of the achievements highlighted at the celebrations include: establishing special education programmes and enrolling children in ordinary schools, providing vocational skills, construction of new institution structures and awareness programmes.

Aloysie Mukandayisenga, an orphan who has spent 14 years at HRD, says that the institution has become her new home.

"I have found new life, good parental care and I have been supported to cope with challenges that come with life. This has enabled me to excel in school like any other child,” Mukandayisenga said.

District officials and donors also re-affirmed their continuous support to the organization and urged residents to rally behind the organization.

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