Tigo Rwanda, in partnership with the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG) and Rukumberi Sector, officially closed it’s yearly ‘100 Days of Love’ campaign on Friday in Iyantende Village, Rukumberi Sector, Ngoma District, Eastern Province.
In support of the genocide survivors in Iyantende Village, the Telecom renovated two dilapidated homesteads and installed electricity in 25 homes. It also provided 100 Mutuelle des Sante (health insurance) cards to vulnerable survivors.
One of the survivors whose home was renovated, Marcel Rwamihigo, said that it was a dream come true for his family.
“I am so happy and thankful. I used to like Tigo but now I love Tigo. My house was built in 1997 and it was getting extremely dilapidated, but I refused support to get it renovated because, as the chairman of Ibuka genocide survivors’ organization, I realized I couldn’t ask for support while other survivors were in worse conditions,” he said.
“When I was visited by Tigo representatives, they saw the state of my house and decided to renovate it because they believed that a community leader needed to live in a good home,” he said and added that, “I am going to tell people of the great things Tigo Rwanda has done for my family,” expressed the 51 year-old married father of six.
Speaking on behalf of CNLG, Michel Nshimyumukiza, the organization’s representative in Ngoma and Kirehe District, lauded Tigo saying “Tigo has shown that remembering isn’t only about the 100 days of commemoration from April to July but rarher a continuous process. That is why we have come here on the 7th. I want to thank Tigo for what they have done in this community of genocide survivors”.
Philip Amoateng, Tigo Chief Executive Officer, who attended the event said that the donations were proof of Tigo’s close relationship with Rwandans.
“Tigo is a company that strives to remain close to the community. We are part of Rwanda and this year we are here with you in Rukumberi Sector. The core objective of our donation isn’t about money but rather love. When we start loving each other, genocide ideology dies. Let us continue to show our love for each other and make sure that never again is there genocide in Rwanda”.
The chief guest, the Governor of the Eastern Province, Judith Kazaire, expressed gratitude to Tigo for its community initiative.
“I would like to thank Tigo for being a good partner with the Government of Rwanda in bringing back hope to genocide survivors. While we are remembering those we lost we are also looking at the future with hope.”
She said that although Tigo has given out a lot of financial and material support but that’s not all that they see. “What we also see is the good wishes and love that Tigo has for our local communities. It is a good thing when a multinational like Tigo helps the community,” she said.
Meanwhile, as part of the 100 Days of Love, June 8, Tigo provided Mutuelles de Sante cards for 665 Bugesera District residents who were unable to afford health care. The handover of the medical insurance cards took place at the Mareba Sector, Bugesera District.
