President Kagame says no challenge is too big to overcome

President Paul Kagame yesterday said with the will of the people, no challenge is insurmountable. He was speaking to a section of leaders from Israeli private and public sectors, on the second day of his three-day visit to the country with whom he shared Rwanda's journey of recovery.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013
President Kagame with Rwandan students benefiting from agriculture training in Israel and Belaynesh Zevadia, Israeli ambassador to Ethiopia and Rwanda, as well as Hezi Bezalel, Rwanda's Honorary Consul to Israel yesterday. The New Times/Village Urugwiro

President Paul Kagame yesterday said with the will of the people, no challenge is insurmountable. He was speaking to a section of leaders from Israeli private and public sectors, on the second day of his three-day visit to the country with whom he shared Rwanda's journey of recovery. "Rwanda’s story is about more than just a socio-economic process. It is about rebuilding a society that had been shattered. We have seen that it is possible, with the will of the people, no challenge is insurmountable,” the President said."We have seen how far people have come in Rwanda and with partnerships this process can only be accelerated.” Over a five-year period, Rwanda reduced poverty levels by about 13 per cent and raised one million people out of poverty. This was possible through initiatives like performance contracts (imihigo) which spur competitiveness and social protection and poverty eradication mechanisms such as Girinka. On the same day, President Kagame met with thirty Rwanda students undergoing training offered through the ongoing partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture of Rwanda and Israel. The President encouraged the students to make the most of their training in Israel. "Your mission here is to build relationships that will be a foundation that links people of both our nations and to gain the kind of knowledge that will lead to results and transformation in your field,” he said.Strengthening tiesThe students, represented by Ernest Nshimiyimana, thanked President Kagame for his leadership and shared their common vision to implement what they have learned by establishing an irrigation project on returning to Rwanda at the end of their studies. Earlier, the Head of State was a guest of honour at an event hosted by Anne Heyman, the founder of Agahozo Shalom, alongside Yosef Abramowitz, the founder of Energiya Global, who have partnered to provide renewable energy to Agahozo Shalom Youth Village in the Eastern Province.  Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin welcomed President Kagame to Israel and expressed his country’s interest in finding additional ways to strengthen bilateral ties and share solutions to common challenges.  The President and First Lady ended the second day of their visit at a reception held in honour of President Shimon Peres’ 90th Birthday.