Rotaract Club of Kigali has launched a car wash campaign to fundraise for Rwanda Diabetes Association in Rwamagana District.The one-day campaign involved free testing for diabetes and washing cars to raise funds for children in the association.The association caters for more than 700 people with diabetes, including children.The Rotaract Club Kigali Director of Communications, Habba Batamuriza, said they saw it vital to help such people and the easiest way to raise funds was through washing cars. “We wanted to find a way on how we can raise money for the daily medications of patients mainly the youth under 25 years, because they need daily injection, including food, we saw car washing as the solution the club could raise funds for people,” Batamuriza said.She thanks the public for responding to the call, saying some people overlooked cheaper options elsewhere just for that day. Cars were washed at fares ranging between Rwf15,000, and Rwf20,000, although ‘special cases’ went for Rwf100,000.“Children always leave the association after three months and return to their homes. However, some parents cannot afford the daily medications for such them,” Batamuriza said.Francois Gishoma, the director of Rwanda Diabetes Association, said the initiative was a social care for the needy.Among the challenges of diabetic patients, he said, include expensive treatment. Diabetes treatment can cost about Rwf60,000 per month in the country.Gishoma urged the public to test for diabetes because it is now on the increase, especially among youths. “The number of youths suffering from the disease is still high which makes me fear that it might increase,” he said.Diabetes is classified into three types, including type one, which is common in children; type 2 for adults; and gestational diabetes, common in some pregnant mothers and can be cured. The disease can lead to blindness, impotence, kidney failure and liver malfunction. In order to reduce excessive sugars and fats which catalyse the diabetic condition of patients, physical exercises are recommended.
