Rwanda National Police

Members of the Rwanda Youth Volunteers in Community Policing (RYVCP), this Saturday joined the rest of young Rwandans and the country in general to mark the 'International Youth Day.' 

The day marked every August 12, was designated by the United Nations as an awareness day to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth.

In Rwanda, it was held in Kayonza at the national level under the theme: “Safe Spaces for Youth" and presided over by the Minister of Youth, Rosemary Mbabazi.

It was also graced by the Governor of Eastern Province, Fred Mufuluke, One UN Resident Coordinator Fodé Ndiaye, UNDP Country Director Stephen Redriquez as well as senior RNP and RDF officers.

The activities to marked the day were also conducted in all cells across the country and included communal work where the youth engaged in community development activities including constructing or renovating houses for the disadvantaged families and rehabilitating roads linking villages.

In Kayonza, youth volunteers joined their colleagues in leveling a football pitch for Nyamugari secondary school in Mwiri Sector.

Minister Mbabazi thanked the youth mobilisation and turning up in big number.

"This solidarity among the young people is a major tool for national development," the Minister observed.

She appealed to the youth to make good use of available opportunities start income generating activities.

“Opportunities are at your disposal, don’t look far. Look at lakes, marshlands, road networks, electricity and internet, make good use of them to achieve your development goals,” Minister Mbabazi said, calling on the youth to work hard.

She further challenged them to desist from abusing illicit drugs and engaging in sexual malpractices that result into unwanted pregnancies, contracting sexual transmitted diseases and shutting their education and future dreams.

In Gisozi Sector of Gasabo District, Jean Bosco Mutangana, who is in charge of mobilisation and training in RYVCP, thanked the government for organizing such a day to recognize the contribution of the youth in the country’s development agenda.

"In an occasion like this, we as members of the RYVCP get more encouraged; it is a reminder that the government recognizes our contributions to national development. It also acts as a driving force for us to do more for the greater of our country,” said Mutangana.

Members of RYVCP introduced a separate community work (Umuganda), which is held on the second week of every month. The exercise is conducted countrywide by all members to supplement the usual monthly Umuganda and other national development programmes.

On the special youth community work, Mutangana explained that, the idea is rooted on the fact that members of the organization resolved to carryout tangible activities that make impact in communities.