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Kinyarwanda
Members of Rwanda Youth volunteers in Community Policing in Gakenke District, on Thursday, conducted a tree planting exercise to support the national environmental protection drive.
The youth, who were joined by Police and local authorities in the district, planted about 5000 trees as part of the national afforastation programme.
The mayor of Gakenke, Deogratius Nzamwita thanked the youngsters for organising special communal work to conserve nature.
He urged them to put more efforts in fighting radicalism, abuse and trafficking of narcotics, child abuse, gender-based violence and human trafficking.
“The role of the youth is crucial in every sector of the country's development, including security; stay away from anything that can distract and divert you from striving for the better future. Drugs, radicalism and engaging in other malpractices can affect the future your government strives to give you," said Mayor Nzamwita.
He urged them to continue supporting the national development agenda and share information on people who try to lure them into unlawful acts, and other wrongdoers.
Rwanda National Police has established strong community awareness and fight crimes through the promotion of community safety and human security.
District Police Commander (DPC) for Gakenke, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Roger Rwakayiro said that security is a "collective responsibility" with the young people being major partners.
He particularly commended the role of youth volunteers in community policing in raising awareness and fighting crimes, and playing an important role in community human security activities.
The DPC said that the young people are facing challenges brought about by social media and its fake news, where they are lured into hazardous and exploitative work.
“Use social media to spread the truth," CIP Rwakayiro said.
There are over 260000 members of youth volunteers across the country, who include secondary and university students as well as young graduates. It was created in 2013 with a vision of contributing to socio-economic development by fighting and preventing crime in partnership with the police and local authorities.
