WESTERN PROVINCE RUSIZI — Officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Rusizi District officials last Thursday inaugurated a playground at Rusayo orphanage centre, in Gashonga Sector. The volley and basket ball pitch were constructed at a cost of Rwf7million, according to an engineer from the ICRC. During the same occasion,they donated to the centre assorted items that included 100 mattresses, 60 litres of soap, 320 pairs of school shoes, insecticide sprays and cans of cooking oil. They also constructed two modern energy-saving cooking stoves at the centre worth Rwf800, 000. While addressing residents and children, the Mayor, Fabian Sindayiheba thanked the ICRC for constructing a play ground and for the donated items, saying the pitch would facilitate children’s co-curricular activities. Cautioning orphans against indiscipline, the Mayor advised them to strive for excellence in their academic endeavours. “On behalf of our district management I thank the ICRC for providing various home materials and constructinga play ground at this Orphanage centre. I am sure this would improve the living standards of orphans here because this is a humanitarian gesture,” Sindayiheba said. Olivier Chow, the protection coordinator with ICRC, urged the children care takers to ensure proper handling of the play ground and items they donated to them. Adrian Nyirabarima, the director and founder of the centre, appealed to ICRC for continued support, saying orphanages have more varying needs. “The children at this orphanage have been facing a problem of isolation due to lack of where to play from and I am happy that ICRC has solved it….I also call upon you to continue the collaboration you have with us because we still have a long way to go,” Nyirabarima said. According to Nyirabarima, Rusayo centre currently has 327 orphans. Ends
