A child being given her package for Christmas

On Friday December 28, 2012, the staff and management of the National Commission for children (NCC) celebrated the joy and blessings that come with Christmas with the disabled children living in HRD in Muhanga District. NCC usually holds such annual Christmas celebrations with the children where the last one was held last year in Noel de Nyundo Orphanage in Rubavu District.

In her welcoming remarks, Madam MUKAMWEZI Leoncia, the head of HRD and also who happens to be a board member of NCC expressed her gratitude to NCC for taking the initiative to share Christmas with the disabled children. She said that the institution is a charity home to 40 children with different forms of physical, visual and mental disabilities. She further explained that most of these children are orphans with no traceable origins. HRD provides different kinds of services to the beneficiaries including education, shelter, nutrition, health and advocacy to government and other bodies.

The vice mayor in charge of social affairs, Muhanga District, Madam MUKAGATANA Fortunee who was also present at the event wished a merry Christmas and happy new year to the children. She said that we should always reflect on the ideal meaning of Christmas which is the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ. That is why we should remember such children and share the happiness in different ways with them.

On behalf of the children staying in the institution, IRAMPA Emmanuel, a beneficiary of HRD thanked the government for remembering them during the festive season. He said that every child including the disabled can achieve great heights in life once given the opportunity. Emmanuel who is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Medicine at the National University of Rwanda after scoring 49 points out of 55 in the high school leaving examinations said that the institution has given them an opportunity to enjoy their rights and a hope for a bright future. He also requested government to look out for disabled children who are hidden and denied their full rights in their villages.

Irampa Emmanuel presenting his speech on behalf of the children in HRD Muhanga

The Executive Secretary for NCC, Madam Zaina Nyiramatama who presided over the event said that the government is committed to providing children with a platform to pursue their dreams without any form of discrimination or denial of their rights and privileges. She said that celebrating Christmas with children is part of NCC discipline of coming closer to them especially the disadvantaged children and a way of comforting and showing them the governments love and commitment to their wellbeing.

She concluded by handing over a check of 640,000 RwF to support the institution and also distributed different logistics which had been prepared for all the children. She also pledged to work with the institution for the well-being of these children and wished them a merry Christmas and a happy new year.