- Rwanda's ministers have pledged a contribution of US$ 200 each to the 'One Dollar Campaign' fund for the support of orphans of the 1994 infamous genocide against the Tutsi and moderate Hutus.
The fund, which kick-started earlier this month as Rwanda commemorates 15 years after the genocide, aims to collect over US$ 100,000 during a period of 100 days, symbolising of the number of days that the genocide lasted from 6 April 1994.
Rwandan officials said a cabinet meeting held Wednesday had ministers pledging to support the construction of a hostel to house more than 500 orphans.
"We have set the minimum pledge at $200 each, however, anyone willing to exceed that there is no problem," Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Charles Murigande told a local newspaper.
The amount to be collected during the campaign that was championed by the Rwanda Global Diaspora Network will be used to provide shelter for orphans, especially those in schools, without a place to call home, the Director General of the Directorate, Robert Masozera said.
He said the campaign had gained a momentum, with a number of pledges both from government and individuals, stating that some musicians have joined the campaign to help the victims of the genocide. Mr Masozera said the political commitment was critical for the success of the campaign.
The fund is also ready to open accounts in Belgium, Japan, Ethiopia, Sweden, Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and other countries for every Rwandan and friends to be involved in the activity.
Similar accounts have also been opened in Bank de Kigali to facilitate Rwandans in the interior who want to contribute to the cause.
Earlier this month, more than 11,000 bodies of Rwandan genocide victims were laid to rest in Uganda. In a span of about three months in 1994, an estimated 800,000 people were killed - many hacked to death with machetes and hoes. Women were systematically raped and tortured, their limbs chopped off.
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