Rotary club is an organization purposed to bring together businesses and professionals to provide humanitarian services and providing support in addressing problems facing the world.

The club draws much attention on seven areas of focus namely; disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, environment protection, peace and conflict resolution.

Rotary Club International was established 116 years ago. It is currently comprised of 1.2 million members from 200 countries.

Kigali-Virunga is one of seven Rotary clubs operating in Rwanda including Rotary Club Kigali Doyen, Mont Jali, Musanze Murera, Butare, Gasabo and Bugoyi Ibirunga.

During the exercise which took place on Saturday 25th September 2021, Rotary Club Kigali-Virunga urged residents to preserve environment and take good care of planted fruit trees considering their nutritious benefits, and big role in preventing erosion and providing fresh air.

Residents resettled in the village expressed delight for the exercise highlighting that planted trees will help them eradicate malnutrition.

“We have welcomed the activity and extend our gratitude to members of Rotary Club. We shall reap fruits, prevent malnutrition and save money that we used to buy fruits for other household needs,” said Philomène Kankindi.

The village leader Jean Pierre Benimana also thanked members of Rotary Club for the gesture.

“Our thanks go to Rotary International and other partners for ensuring success of this activity. These fruit trees will help us to prevent malnutrition while others will be used to produce timber or beans’ poles,” he said.

The Ambassador of the United States to Rwanda and member of Rotary Club, Peter Vrooman said that they are proud of their involvement in different activities promoting citizens’ wellbeing.

“The most important thing is to work together with common understanding to carry out activities beneficial to the community we live in. These activities might be in the areas of health, education and environment preservation like we have planted trees today. It is of significant importance to promote the spirit of working together as an international organization operating in different countries,” he noted.

The President of Rotary Club Kigali Virunga, Suman Alla explained that the activity was meant to support existing initiatives to spur the country’s development.

“It was necessary to be part of activities promoting wellbeing of residents resettled in Kinigi model village to support initiatives launched by President Paul Kagame to transform citizens’ livelihoods. This is not only a model village in Rwanda but also in Africa and we must contribute to the wellbeing of its dwellers,” he said.

The Assistant District Governor, Dr. Jean d’Amour Manirere highlighted that the organization does not only provide humanitarian services but also extends its initiatives to environment preservation.

“We have joined residents of this model village to plant trees. This has a significant impact and motivates residents to own such activities bearing in mind their nutritious benefits and contribution to environment preservation,” he said.

Rotary Club Kigali Virunga also planted 1000 trees in Nyakinama village.

The activity was funded by different partners including One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Rotaractors, Musanze district and conservationists including Zamara, Hope Ethiopia, Peace Corps and GGGI among others.

Rotary Club Rwanda is comprised of 157 members.

us ambassador to Rwanda, Peter Vrooman joined residents to plant trees.

A member of Rotary Club planting a tree along with a child living in Kinigi model village.

Rotary club is an organization purposed to bring together businesses and professionals to provide humanitarian services.

Rotary club members and partners planting trees in Kinigi model village.