SFH Staff Members in Gihara Sector

On May 9th 2014, Kamonyi district, in Runda sector at Gihara cell, held a giving-cow ceremony, whereupon two families of genocide survivors were given cows as sign of solidarity. During this convivial ceremony, the SFH representative said that as 2014 marks the 20th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, this event was an important occasion to remember the lives that were lost, show solidarity with survivors and unity to ensure it never happens again in Rwanda or elsewhere.The idea to organize this event was initially introduced by SFH members, who then established a steering committee for a better preparation of the event. The committee was headed up by the regional team leader/ SFH central region. According to Mr. Martin NKUNDUMUGABA, the regional team leader, ‘mutual support’ is part of their culture as SFH staff members. ‘Normally, mutual support in SFH is like a part of our culture or a convention which embodies the fundamental values of SFH family members’ he said. He further added that this year they extended this culture related activities to the rest of other Rwandans in the country starting from particularly genocide survivors. In line with the 2014 Genocide commemoration theme ‘Remember – Unite, Renew’ SFH committed to support survivors; in this regard, the National Commission

for the Fight against Genocide CNLG has played a key role in the

process of finding these families countrywide, throughout 2,148 cells of Rwanda. Gihara cell has been chosen. ‘Even though this is our first time, our vision is to continue, cell after cell and support survivors’ Mr. Martin emphasized.

The SFH initiative has been highly appreciated not only by the local population but also the authorities.

The guest of honor, Mr. Emanuel INGABIRE the sector veterinary (who represented the executive secretary of Runda sector), urged families that given cows to carefully keep them as an important factory they are given. He said ‘A cow is useful in many ways, it doesn’t support the owner alone, but even the neighbors can benefit from it in any case…therefore, SFH gives in one hand a cow but in other hand we are given a factory.’ ‘I will personally conduct regular follow-ups to ensure the safety of these cows.’ He promised.