KAMONYI — Orphans of the 1994 Genocide living in Runda Sector, Kamonyi district last Sunday received food items and clothes worth Frw2.5 million donated by staff and students of the Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA).

This initiative was initiated by Genocide survivor students at the university under their association called A.E.R.G. The association brings together about 450 students. They reportedly organise similar initiatives every month to help orphans countrywide.

The items included, cooking oil, rice, sugar, soap, and clothes given to 140 orphans living in 43 families. While receiving the donation on behalf of his fellow orphans Sixbert Ibyishaka said that it was long overdue. He said food shortages and lack of clothes have always contributed to their despair.

He noted that due to misery six of the 60 children had conceived unplanned pregnancies, while the other two girls recently married at a tender age.

Dr. Jozsef Szilvas, the university rector observed that helping orphans especially those whose parents were brutally killed during genocide should be every body’s responsibility.

"These are children who lost their parents at a tender age. They never get any parental care. But every one should strive to make them live a happy life," he said.

He explained that the items aimed at rekindling the lost hope of the children such that they could also feel like others. The rector advised the children not to succumb to despair and always pray hard for God to fulfill their ambitions.

Dr. Szilvasi appealed to the children to always remember their lost relatives by focusing on unity and reconciliation. He promised more assistance to improve their livelihood.

Innocent Gakuba, the President of A.E.R.G, promised to remain close to the orphans in order to offer them necessary advice.

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