NAYD RWANDA

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General Profile: It is important to note that a few years after the genocide; Rwanda is a very different country from what it was for most of its post-independence history. Foreign investors speak of it as one of the safest places in Africa, as well as one of the least corrupt countries. It is a fact that has been achieved through immense efforts by the government and the people of Rwanda. Key programmes covering unity and reconciliation, decentralization, the Gacaca court system and other community-based activities have collectively contributed to Rwanda’s development. Also, Rwanda has a development-oriented government committed to the transformation of the economy and turns it into a regional hub for services and industry. The development Road map, Vision 2020, specifies development targets for the country. Clean, committed and peaceful Rwanda is now an investment location well worth considering.

Culture: Nothing defines Rwandese culture better than the warm hospitality of its people, the thrill of the Intore dancers and singers as well as the ordinary people’s strong ethic for work and industry. No wonder some have described Rwanda as the land of a million smiles. The country has a population of 8.1 million people. Rwanda is one of the few countries in Africa with a single common language and culture. Rwanda’s population is predominantly Christian, with 56.5 % Catholics, 26% Protestants, 11.1 % Adventist, 4.6% Muslim, 0.1% indigenous beliefs and 1.7% belonging to no religious denomination.

The Country has three official languages namely, Kinyarwanda (vernacular), English and French. Most Rwandese are multi-lingual or at least bi-lingual. Swahili and other dialects from the region are also spoken, especially in major commercial centres.

Throughout history, capable local artists have captured and manifest many features of Rwandese culture in physical form through carvings and drawings. Many of these artefacts can be found along the streets of Kigali or homesteads, on the rolling hills and in valleys across the country, and are increasingly becoming the basis of a growing industry in cultural products.

Music and dance equally play an important role in the traditions of all Rwandan peoples. The Rwandan community has a variety of music and dance which range from acts that demonstrate epics commemorating excellence and bravery, humorous lyrics to hunting root. Traditional songs are often accompanied by a solitary lulunga, a harp-like instrument with eight strings.

More celebratory dances are backed by a drum orchestra, which typically comprises seven to nine members, and collectively produce a hypnotic and exciting explosion set of intertwining rhythms.

Lucky visitors may chance upon spontaneous traditional performances in the villages of Rwanda. The finest exponent of Rwanda’s varied and dynamic traditional musical and dance styles, however, is the Intore Dance Troupe. Founded several centuries ago, the Intore - literally ’The Chosen Ones’ - once performed exclusively for the Royal Court, but today their exciting act can be arranged for other functions.

Private Sector: In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy which is both run for private profit and is not controlled by the state. By contrast, enterprises that are part of the state are part of the public sector; private, non-profit organizations are regarded as part of the voluntary sector.

Private Sector Development (PSD) is a strategy for promoting economic growth and reducing poverty in developing countries by incorporating private industry and competitive markets into a country’s overall development framework.

The entrepreneurial spirit in Rwanda has been one of the key influences driving the economy and the private sector federation recognizes the hard work, perseverance and achievements of Rwandan entrepreneurs. This is epitomised in the setting up and good management of the Federation.

The Private Sector Federation is an umbrella organisation for the Rwandan private sector. Nine Chambers beneath the umbrella represent the main areas of the Rwandan private sector – Agriculture, Industry, Artists and Artisans, Commerce, Finance, the Liberal Professions, Tourism, Women Entrepreneurs and Young Entrepreneurs. They aim to go beyond advocacy to action, and are proactively involved in the socioeconomic transformation of Rwanda

Economy:  Rwanda’s economy still may be small and predominantly agricultural, but in recent years, with political stability, it continues to grow steadily shifting to a supply economy. The major economic sectors have recorded remarkable progress and have improved internal resources to finance the budget.

Rwanda has put in place the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS 2008-2012) which provides a medium term framework for achieving the country’s long term development aspirations as embodied in Rwanda Vision 2020, the seven year Government of Rwanda (GoR) programme, and the Millennium Development Goals.

The major exports of Rwanda are coffee, tea, tin cassiterite, wolframite and pyrethrum. Coffee makes up more than 50% of the total export value, while the mountain grown tea is considered to be some of the finest in the world.

Recently, substantial private investments have been made in tourism and developing new industries such as cut flowers for export and fish farming. The full range of Rwanda’s resources has yet to be realized. Commercial fishing in Lake Kivu is in its infancy; there are vast opportunities in the emerging tourism industry. The labour force is dedicated, energetic and eager for training.

The government, through the Rwanda Investment Promotion Agency (RIPA) is ready to work hand-in-hand with investors to realize their goals and drive the economy forward to a better future. Opportunities abound for long-term, well-capitalized investors with ideas, imagination and business skills for an emerging economy. ■

National University of Rwanda community pays tribute to Genocide victims

Students, lecturers and administration at the National University and different guest and friends, joined the Rwandan community in commemorating the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The event was started in Auditorium at National University of Rwanda, on 7^th March, 2010 and was closed on 14^th march, 2010.The commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is annually event and was started in 7^th March, 1994 and This year was the 16^th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi with the them “Let us join effort to fight against Trauma”

It was an opportune moment for university community to understand better the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi where some of intellectual people who have prepared, implemented and participated in Genocide, some of them have passed their long life as students, lecturers and researchers and leaders at National University of Rwanda more

The Medical student’s Mental Health Association (MMHA)
The Medical student’s Mental Health Association (MMHA) was founded in 2006 by Rwandan students in the Faculty of Medicine at the National University of Rwanda (NUR). The association counts over 100 members, either medical students, students of clinical psychology or students of Social Work.

The goal of the association is the promotion of mental health in Rwanda where the mental problems have been increased due to 1994 Genocide Tutsi. The association’s strengths are the high degree of motivation, availability and ownership among the members who work voluntarily for the association. MMHA has a strong partnership with a Danish organization. Mental Health Rwanda (MHR) .MHR is a subgroup of International Medical Cooperation Committee (IMCC).In 2007 the Mental Health Empowerment Project in Southern Province (MHEP) more

Rwanda Village Concept Project www.rwanda.org contributed to NATIONAL AIDS CAMPAIGN from 1^st to 30^th of March, 2010. The theme of the campaign was “Tukamenye, Tukavuge, Tugakoreshe n’uburenganzira bwa buri wese” means in English “Have knowledge, Talk about, Use Condom, it is the right for everybody”

The campaign was organized by the National Commission for fighting against HIV/AIDS at national level but it has to take place in different districts of Rwanda.

It was in that regard, Rwanda Village Concept Project, as one of organizations  that mobilize and sensitize the population about HIV/AIDS awareness, was selected in Huye district, to contribute in the campaign especially in sensitizing people about the use of  male and female condoms.

So, every Sunday afternoon of February, 2 Rwanda Village Concept Project volunteers together with international participants, participated actively in the mobilization in public areas like markets, sector grounds, and so on.More

Rwandan Youth Organizations’ Network (RYON)

International AIDS Candle Light Memorial www.candlelightmemorial.org in Rwanda - Read more in INSPIRE 24

Rwanda Village Concept Project www.rwanda-vcp.org, is a non political, non governmental, non profit making and voluntary, development Organisation aiming at improving the health and the living standards in underprivileged communities at village level as well as student capacity building.

It was initiated in 2000 by medical students at National University of Rwanda in collaboration with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA). The field work started in 2002.Now it has the main activities in Southern Province, and many Activities in Huye District and Huye Sector.
RVCP follows the guidelines of the Village Concept Project Document, created in co-operation between IFMSA and WHO in Geneva, 1998 and revised in 2003. More