Celebrities on Friday, March 4, gathered at Kimironko market, as they joined an awareness drive to support Rwandan farmers who do organic agriculture. The public event was organised by Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM) to celebrate and honor farmers as the key players in the country’s economic development. A host of celebrities who attended the movement include musicians Aline Gahongayire, Alyn Sano and Mani Martin, presenter and DJ Anita Pendo, and movie interpreter Marc Uwizeye, also known as Rocky. They all emphasized on the fact that everyone needs to consider protecting the environment and remember to eat organic products without chemical products for them to overcome risks to their health. Lise Chantal Dusabe, the CEO of ROAM, revealed that they used celebrities in the movement towards community outreach after which people will know the source of what they eat. “We engaged celebrities so that they can help us reach a big number of people in creating awareness and adjust the respect of farmers,” Dusabe told The New Times in an interview. Alyn Sano said she joined the movement together to play her part as an artist in securing the sustainability livelihoods of future generations. “Without the farmers, we can’t survive because we can’t get food and hence being part of this means a lot to me as an artiste,” she said. Like Sano, Aline Gahongayire echoed that the future of pure land, good health is in farmers’ hands as a result of consuming healthy nutrition. “Since we can reach out to many people, we mobilize as many people as we can to support this movement, our fellow farmers. We are also farmers! Whenever I use my voice in singing, that is my farming. I can’t have such an amazing voice without eating the right food from organic agriculture, “she said. Farmers from different parts of the country who joined the celebrations had a light moment with their favorite celebrities and were excited to see them join the movement. An ‘excited’ Aline Dukundimana, a farmer from Musanze District said, ‘We are glad that Rwandans understand and support us. We won’t stop to give them the best,” she said.
