One Dollar Campaign complex nears completion

The construction of the One Dollar Campaign complex in Kagugu, Gasabo District, is scheduled to be complete by the end of next month, according to the Project Manager of the multi-million complex.The building whose construction was funded by proceeds from a campaign initiated by Rwandans in the Diaspora, aimed at providing shelter to needy orphans of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “The construction started in January last year and is now 95 percent complete. We are now working on the final touches,” Eng. Nkongori Sayinzoga told The New Times yesterday.He noted that upon completion, the hostel will accommodate192 orphans adding that an ad hoc committee was set up to select the beneficiaries.According to Sayinzoga, the hostel once complete, will have cost over Rwf 800 million but added that after its completion, they intend to construct two similar blocks, a football field and a shopping mall at the same site, all at an estimated cost of Rwf5 billion.When The New Times visited the site, the tiling had just been completed, ceiling and wardrobes in all the rooms fixed and what remained was painting and fixing window panes.“The construction of this building will give hope to vulnerable genocide orphans and the zeal exhibited by Rwandans during the One Dollar Campaign is indication that in harmony, many challenges can be internally solved by Rwandans,” Sayinzoga said.The complex is being constructed by a local construction firm, Murenzi Supply Company and supervised by GMK Architectures Limited, according to Sayinzoga.He said that apart from providing accommodation services to the beneficiaries, the project will also provide other supportive programmes to the students like psychological and mental health counselling facilities.Sayinzoga also noted that they want to make the project a centre of excellence where students will be given various trainings which he will help them to acquire employable skills that are needed on the labour market.A campaign dubbed One Dollar Campaign targeting the collection of Frw1.5 billion was officially launched on April 4 2009 as an initiative by the Rwanda Diaspora Global Network, but was later embraced by all Rwandans. Government institutions, non government organizations, the private sector, religious bodies, civil society, students, individuals and friends of Rwanda contributed towards the campaign.According to Constantin Rukundo, the National Coordinator of the Student Genocide Survivors’ Association, there are 1,792 Genocide orphans with no permanent homes.