Minister visits children with disabilities

SOUTHERN PROVINCE MUHANGA — The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Jean d’Arc Mujawamariya has urged Rwandans to support children living with disabilities, saying they have equal rights like other children. The Minister made the remarks on Wednesday while visiting over 200 children living with disabilities at Handicapé Rwandais, Réhabilité Réintégré dans des Driots (HRD) center in the Muhanga District. Mujawamariya hailed students of Ecole Belge de Kigali for donating farm equipment worth Rwf1.2m to the centre, which she said was a good exemplary gesture. “Handicapped children have equal rights like other children and they need care and love, so as to develop their potential, brain and talent,” she said. The government’s policy recognises the rights of children living with disabilities, she said, calling on Rwandans to do the same in order to help these children acquire education and social welfare. During the same occasion Herinyange a female artiste- launched her debut song “Abana Nk’abandi” on children’s rights. The minister inspected activities of HRD; which include: a modern cyber café and saloon, a special needs school, arts and crafts workshop, and farmland. HRD officials attributed the success of their activities to continued support from the government and donors. Léoncia Mukamwezi, the HRD coordinator revealed that they have empowered their teachers to give children special education needs and the performance is commendable. She pointed out housing and means of transport as among the challenges facing them. The Minister promised to lead a campaign aimed at raising money to construct new houses at the HRD center and appealed to Rwandans to generously donate to the center. She also offered an undisclosed amount of financial support towards the centre’s electricity and water needs. Ends