In a vibrant display of community and athleticism, the Rotary club of Kigali-Virunga hosted a Sports Festival on Saturday, June 21, during which they raised funds and an electric minivan for cancer patients at Bethania home care. The event, held at Kigali International, brought together youth and dignitaries, including British High Commissioner Alison Thorpe and Acting Nigerian High Commissioner Ibrahim Zanna, for a day of friendly competition in football, basketball, cricket, and pickle ball, all in the name of a noble cause. The new electric minivan will provide safe and comfortable transportation for over 250 patients receiving intensive cancer treatment, a critical need previously highlighted by the home's staff. The idea came after members of Kigali-Virunga Rotary Club visited the Kinyinya-based home care center, which is run by the Sisters of Our Lady Queen of Africa (SOLQA), to witness its impactful work firsthand. ALSO READ: LA 2028 Olympics: What does Umulinga bring on table? Sister Helena Katebera, the program coordinator at Bethania Home Care, emphasized the significance of the support. We often face different challenges, but the most pressing was transporting patients over 30km daily from our center in Kinyinya to the treatment facility in Kanombe, she explained. Our old ambulance could only carry one patient. Through the support raised from this sports festival, our charity journey will continue smoothly, and this van will be a tremendous relief. Established by the Rotary Club of Kigali in 2018, the center provides a lifeline for patients from across the country, offering not just accommodation and food but also crucial counseling services. According Rotarian Jacqueline Duniah, the president of the Rotary Kigali-Virunga Club, the initiative began after observing the struggles of underprivileged rural patients who had nowhere to stay while undergoing treatment in Kigali. The sports festival served as a powerful platform to raise awareness and funds, turning the spirit of competition into tangible support. We believed that through sport, the awareness of our cancer patients' needs could reach a wider audience. This is a continuation of our efforts, and we hope it inspires others to join us in providing solutions for our community,” said Duniah. For patients like Janet Manishimwe, a mother of two who was treated for skin cancer, the impact of the funds and the minivan raised by the Rotarians is deeply personal. This is my second year here, she said. It's amazing that people would think to help us in this way. To see everyone come together through sports to get this van for our daily transport is truly something special.
