GISAGARA- Hundreds of residents from the Sectors of Save and Kibirizi in Huye District, over the weekend, thronged Kinteko Primary school to mark children’s open day celebrations. The Day, organised by the African Evangelical Enterprise (AEE), brought together Nine Unity and Reconciliation Clubs, comprising children from the two Sectors with a message on Unity and Reconciliation to the older members of the community. Cases of genocide ideology have, in the past, been reported in the two Sectors. The setting up of the clubs was a move to curb the growing vice in the community. Betty Niragire, a Unity and Reconciliation club member from Save Sector in an interview with The New Times said that the clubs have contributed to behavior change among the residents. “We have testimonies of neighbors who have agreed to put the past behind them after listening to our message, this has given us the courage to continue with this campaign, “she said. Residents who attended the celebrations appreciated the initiative to involve the younger generation in Unity and Reconciliation campaigns. “Older people used to spread the genocide ideology to the youth, but with the emergence of these clubs it is now the reverse; the young are teaching their elders about unity and reconciliation,” said Patricia Musabyimana a mother of seven. Augustine Twagirukiza, a district official commended the Unity and Reconciliation clubs for their role in eliminating the genocide ideology in schools and villages. The best performing clubs shared a Rwf500, 0000 cash prize, courtesy of AEE which has been operating in the two Sectors since 2006. According to Augustine Gahamanyi, the coordinator of AEE in Butare, the organization is engaged in different development programmes but recently added a Peace and Unity segment where it helps the clubs get individuals to teach Rwanda’ history. Ends
