Primus Guma Guma contestants excite Ndera patients

It was just a 20 minute visit by the Primus Guma Guma SuperStar season three (PGGSS 3) contestants, but it meant so much to the patients and staff of Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, CARAES Ndera. There was excitement as the patients undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at the hospital were called upon to identify the artistes. Although the few who were picked out could not identify all of them, it gave them delight and glow on their faces as they went back to their seats.As refreshments, courtesy of the competition organisers Bralirwa Ltd, were passed around, the artistes introduced themselves as the people cheered them on and called out their names. Some of the artistes gave an acapela and the patients shouted and sang along with them word to word. Humble Jizzo, a member of the boy group, Urban Boys, said they came to the institution to see what is happening so that they can act as the ambassadors of the hospital. He said that he didn’t know what to expect when coming to this place but he was pleased that the patients he met, were happy and had a lot of hope. “I call upon society to help all these patients to get out of the bad situation they are going through at the moment because one day they will be better and could be of help to others,” the group front man said. “We should not isolate our people who go through mental and psychological problems. It worsens their plight. It is our duty to encourage and support them through the healing process,” he saidAs Humble Jizzo held the dummy cheque of Rwf500, 000, the other artistes joined him to present it to the staff. FelisMusafili, the quality coordinator at the hospital said that this money will come in handy to buy items that will help them in ensuring the proper hygiene of the patients.He explained that usually law enforcement agencies bring in patients from the outside. Upon arrival at the hospital, they don’t have what to use and the hospital has to provide. He said they would use the money to buy items like shoes, clothes, soap, among others. Musafili said, “We could also pick a little amount and make a party for the patients just to lighten their mood.” At the end of the visit, Jean Michel Iyamuremye, the Director of Nursing, thanked the stars and told them how much this means to their community. He also asked them to spare sometime and come back to entertain the patients who had shown them some love. According to Patrick Samputu, the head of Promotions and Events at Bralirwa Ltd, the visit to the hospital was part of the Corporate Social Responsibilities in line with Primus GumaGuma Superstar Season III the company has planned before the competition fully kicks off next month.“We are planning several other activities before the roadshows start. There will be a charity football game this weekend between the stars and journalists. But the reason we came here is to show that Bralirwa does believe that these patients can be rehabilitated,”“We believe that it is a phase of life they are going through and the society needs to support them as a whole. We should not isolate them,” Samputu said.There was joy as the stars mixed and mingled with the patients with some of the artistes giving out their accessories as souvenirs to the patients. The artistes then took group photos with the patients and staff before departing. The eleven contestants, who include Fireman, Bull Dog, Eric Senderi, Christopher, Danny Nanone, Dream Boys, Urban Boys, Mico, Riderman, Kamichi and Knowless, will battle out for honours when the countrywide road shows kick off.The grand finale is expected in July.

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Primus Guma Guma contestants excite Ndera patients