Atlanta bristles with patriotic Rwandans

Rwandans and friends of Rwanda in different parts of North America, together with others from Rwanda, will today gather in US city of Atlanta, Georgia, for the sixth edition of Rwanda Day, an event expected to attract more than 3,000 participants. The event, to be held under the theme, “Agaciro: Our Choice,” will be a celebration of the country’s 20 years of liberation as well as an opportunity to help forge new partnerships to fast-track development. Speaking to Saturday Times from Atlanta City, yesterday, Martin Musinguzi, a US businessman and a friend of Rwanda, said there was a patriotic mood among Rwandans in anticipation for the day. “There is a lot of excitement as Rwandans prepare to meet their compatriots. Arrangements have been made to ferry Rwandans from all cities across North America to bring them to Atlanta for the day,” Musinguzi said. He said Rwandans in various parts of the country (USA) began arriving as early as Thursday in preparation for the day and commended the Rwandan embassy in the US for the assistance rendered. “Between 3,000 and 4,000 people are expected to attend the event,” he said. He added that the event will also attract several businesses and professionals as it will be an opportunity for them to interact at a professional level. According to the event’s programme, the two main topics to be discussed at the event are; ‘the Youth Employment Challenge in the country and the Global Struggle for Dignity in terms of equal rights and equal opportunity.’ A job fair and an investment exhibition were also scheduled to take place. The fair was to bring together Rwandans living in Diaspora and employers from Rwanda to network and begin the recruitment process. The event will seek to showcase Rwandan products as well as opportunities to invest in key sectors such as mining, tourism, tea and coffee, real estate, construction service, among others. In the build up to the event, organisers employed a social media campaign trending on the hashtag #Twahisemo, loosely translates to “We have chosen”. The campaign required users of the various social media platforms to post pictures of placards with the word Twahisemo imprinted on it followed by choices that they figure will be their positive contributions to the country’s ambitions. The campaign was inspired by President Paul Kagame’s speech during the 20th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi on April 7, where he pointed out that what has led to the country’s continued progress was the choice of the Rwandan people. The event is taking place at Georgia International Convention Centre. Ladislas Ngendahimana, a communication expert at the Ministry of Local Government described the mood as more than exciting. “The enthusiasm is great, there is a great deal of anticipation and excitement,” he said. The event is expected to be broadcast live on RTV and Radio Rwanda. The website www.rwandaday.org is also expected give live updates of the function The first Rwanda Day was held in June 2011 in Chicago, US, while similar events have since been held in London, Boston, Paris, Toronto and Chicago.

News

Atlanta bristles with patriotic Rwandans