Forty-four babies were born in six hospitals in Kigali, according to information that was availed to The New Times. According to a mini-survey, twelve babies were born in Kacyiru police hospital, fifteen in Muhima maternity hospital, seven in Hôpital La Croix Du Sud, four at King Faisal hospital, six at Kibagabaga hospital while Polyclinique La Medicale had no newborn by press time. When The New Times visited a number of hospitals, it was all joy for the mothers who had delivered on Christmas day, which is celebrated all around the world as the day of the birth of the saviour. Noella Joyeuse Arahirwa is one of the mothers who had given birth to a baby girl on the exact same date when she was born. “I don’t know how to say it, but I am overjoyed. I am thankful to God; it is a miracle that does not happen to anyone. My daughter is having the same birthday as Jesus, I believe she will become someone that the world will know because of that”, she noted. Her mother and grandmother of the newborn, Marie Claire Kantarama, also said that Christmas day is a special day in their family, but said that it is now turning from good to better. Another lady we found at Muhima hospital is Elizabeth Ugirumubyara, who says that she had not expected that, but asserts that her heart is filled with joy. “I was not expecting to give birth on Christmas Day, I came the day before yesterday and spent two days here, but I delivered my baby on Christmas night”, she recalls. “So the thing is, when Christmas was approaching and I was late to deliver, I prayed and asked God that my baby can have the same birthday as Christ my savior, but God answered my prayers and I am now very excited for that”, she adds. She named her boy Ishimwe Ganza Arthur. Augustin Mugiraneza, a father of a baby born on Christmas was happy that his bundle of joy will bring a sense of spiritual mood to the family. “This demonstrates that our baby is following Jesus and our home will be full of blessings and prayers”, explains the resident of Nyamagabe district, citing that she wants to name her Noellah. Doctor Victorien Ndacyayisenga, an obstetrician and gynecologist, says that giving birth on this day is sentimental for parents. “It is very emotional to give birth during this festive season, many parents are proud of that and you can observe how glamorous they are when they deliver this time”, he commented. The same views are echoed by Mathilde Uwimbabazi, the head of Maternity services at Muhima hospital who says that delivering babies on this special day creates strong feelings for mothers. “They are really excited for that, parents often consider it as a great joy to usher into the festive season with a newborn, it is a great achievement for them”, she explains. Observed on December 25 by billions of people around the world as a religious and cultural celebration, Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
