The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Mukabalisa Donatille, with Deputy Speakers, Mukabagwiza Edda and Sheikh Harerimana Mussa Fazil, today met with a delegation of German MPs (Members of Parliament) from the Rhineland-Palatinate.
They saluted the 40th anniversary of the partnership between Rwanda and Rhineland Palatinate. German MPs are in Rwanda to commiserate with Rwandans during the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi “Kwibuka 30”.
Rwanda on Sunday begins somber commemorations for the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide, a mass slaughter orchestrated by Hutu extremists against the Tutsi minority over 100 bloody days. More than one million men, women and children, mainly ethnic Tutsis, were killed in the murderous onslaught that saw families and friends turn against each other in one of the darkest episodes of the late 20th century.
The partnership between Rwanda and Rhineland-Palatinate began in 1982 with focus on the exchange of cultural, knowledge, friendship, emotional experience and skills through humanitarian and developmental initiatives.
In four decades, this twinning partnership has implemented a total of 2,126 projects worth 67,175,004 euros through six sectors including education, health, infrastructure, human capital development, social and sector training.
The twinning partnership has been operational in 6 Sectors of the City of Kigali, 38 Sectors in the Southern Province, 51 Sectors in the Northern Province, 43 Sectors in Western Province and 36 Sectors in Eastern Province.
In the education sector, 377 Schools (including 16 TVETs constructed and supported) are partnering with Rhineland-Palatinate schools with the main focus on the construction of classrooms and latrines, computer labs and equipment, construction and equipment dining halls, dormitories, libraries, rainwater harvesting tanks, supporting the sports academies and material and supporting the centers for children with disabilities among others.
In the religious sector, three Dioceses and 13 parishes are working closely with their counterparts in Rhineland Palatinate.
In Health, construction projects and equipment of health centers, providing ambulances, and supporting poor people with health insurance through parishes have been also running over the year. (End)