Local leaders will use today’s discussions held after monthly community work to sensitise parents about the renewed campaign against malaria and the need to support the school feeding programme. Ladislas Ngendahimana, the communications expert at the Ministry for Local Government, said it is critical for parents to support feeding programme so that all students have a meal at school. He explained that parents need to cover the shortfall after government cut its contribution to the feeding programme. Government used to pay Rwf157 for every student per day, but this has been reduced to Rwf57 with Rwf100 now going to vulnerable students to enable them have lunch with other students. “The meeting after today’s Umuganda exercise will help provide details of the changes to the parents,” Ngendahimana explained. Local leaders will also use the occasion to sensitise residents on strategies to fight against malaria, promote proper hygiene in homes and upcoming local government elections. The country has recently registered a dramatic increase in malaria cases, from 514,173 in 2012 to 1,957,000 in 2015. Government, last week, announced a new contingency plan to fight the disease, which will involve awareness campaigns. Today’s community work will take place at the grassroots level. The community work today is scheduled to start at 7:00 am to 10:00 am to allow students return to schools and national team fans to go to support the team in the first CHAN quarter final match – against DR Congo – at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
