Before the end of her reign, Miss Rwanda 2014, Colombe Akiwacu, embarked on a project that would see the construction of two houses in 2015 for widowed survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. But she was unable to complete them due to financial constraints. Akiwacu, in partnership with the Rwandan Diaspora in France (CFR), will host a charity gala to mobilise funds that will see the completion of construction. The charity gala will be hosted on July 7, 2018, at the American Church in Paris. Proceeds from the gala will go towards completing the houses that require about 10,000 euros (roughly Rwf10m). “The houses require finishing to make them habitable,” Akiwacu said in an email, adding: “Money from this charity event will be spent on completing the houses. A timely construction is imperative because shelters where those families live are dilapidated and susceptible to collapse any time.” The beneficiaries of the project were selected by the Association of Widows of the Genocide Agahozo (AVEGA), an association that helps widowed survivors of the Genocide. Akiwacu, now based in France and pursuing a modelling career, was born a few months after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi ended, and like many Rwandans, she lost members of her family and suffered the consequences of trauma after the Genocide. The Miss Rwanda crown in 2014 was the start of the realisation of her dreams, and Akiwacu is determined to help the needy. “The reason I came up with this idea is that I believe we can do much more with the Miss Rwanda title, because having the crown is one of the most motivating parts of this initiative.” I’ve always helped people in need but I wanted to do something sustainable to help generations. I believe that as an ambassador of youth, people will open doors easily,” Akiwacu said in a past interview with The New Times. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
