The Ministry of Health through Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) is organising a blood donation drive that will coincide with a pop up fresh produce market. The event will take place on February 3, at Brioche Bread and Pastries in Kacyiru. It is jointly organised by the National Center for Blood Tranfusion, and the Kigali Farmers’ And Artisans Market (KFAAM). Initiated in June last year, the Kigali Farmers and Artisans Market is a monthly gathering, where local farmers and artisans meet to sell their fresh farm produce, art and craft pieces, in an interactive outdoor setting. “The purpose of the blood drive is to support and show love to one’s community by encouraging the population to donate blood in order to save a life and educate the public and demystify misconceptions on blood donation,” reads a press statement from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre. “The farmers’ and artisans’ market will also continue to play its role in promoting community unity by ensuring that RBC is able to drive their agenda effectively. The market is open to all and blood collection shall start at 1pm to 6pm. This will mark the first of several partnerships between Kigali Farmers’ And Artisans’ Market and RBC to engage the community in this important exercise and further drive the reason why Rwanda Transfusion Services has attained recognition as a national programme of excellence,” the statement added. Florence Mwashimba, the founder of the Kigali Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market noted that the blood drive would go a long way in raising awareness on the importance of blood donation and social cohesion in general: “Markets are vital community meeting places that contribute to the economic success of the country, as well as the health and wellbeing of its citizens. This is why for our next market, we have teamed up with the Ministry of Health through its Rwanda Biomedical Centre to facilitate a blood drive. Blood donation is an important aspect of community support and love, as a drop of blood can mean the world to another person.” editorial@newtimes.co.rw
