“It’s a pity youth have sex at an early age” — Alphonse Murangwa

Alphonse Murangwa is the Executive Secretary of the Rwanda National Youth Council (RNYC). The RNYC is a government institution which started in February 1998 from the General Assembly of Rwandan Youth Organization and acts as a task force responsible for setting up a youth council draft law, preparing and organizing youth council grass root elections and setting up a joint task force for a youth strategic plan on HIV/AIDS. Born in 1975 in Rwamagana district, Eastern Province, Murangwa attended Janjagiro Primary School, IFAK Secondary School and finally graduated from the National University of Rwanda (NUR), with a Bachelor in Education. Murangwa is currently pursuing a masters’ degree in Business Administration at the India Gandhi National Opening University (IGNOU), in a distance learning programme at Kigali Institute of Education. He talks largely about the role of the RNYC in educating the youth about the alarming outbreak of premature sex and cross-generation sexuality. “It’s a pity youth have sex at an early age,” he said. Adding that, the RNYC is doing their best to enforce sensitizations, to educate the youth about the risks of premature sex, as well as the dangers of HIV/AIDS. The RNYC organises workshops across the country to educate the youth about the dangers of premature sex. “We also plan to establish Youth Friendly Centres, which will be operating in different parts of the country,” he adds. Murangwa says the National Youth Council has initiated various campaigns, including ‘Senigurisha’—(I’m not for sell). He adds that the company is aimed at fighting against sexual behaviours between inter-generation sexuality, (sugar mums and dads), who use the youth to satisfy their sexual needs. “Old men and women seduce the youth using money and other material stuffs to satisfy their sexual desires,” Murangwa says. The Sinigurisha’ company is in two phases, ‘Hakanira’—(Say No) to sugar dads and mums and ‘Amagana’—(denounce).The RNYC sensitises youth on productive activities and other activities aimed at developing them and the nation, support and monitor the functioning of cooperatives, associations and other youth organisations. They advocate for the youth at all levels, be it in science and technology, the environment and job creation lindaonly@yahoo.com His favourites: Dish: Cassava flour (ugali) accompanied with meat and vegetables. He loves fruits and soft drinks (tea and juice). Music: Country music and the local traditional music. Artists: Local Meddy Sports: Football—his favourite local team is Rayon Sports FC, Chelsea (England) and Real Madrid (Spain). Car: A jeep Personality: Charming and down to earth. Quote: “All things therefore whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them.”— Matthew 7: 12. Ends