People living in Gahanga Sector, Kicukiro district are set to reap big from fruit harvests in the coming months after staff from Kigali Serena Hotel planted more than 2,500 trees in the area during last month’s Umuganda.
The trees which included mango and orange plants were planted as a joint activity undertaken by residents, Kigali Serena Hotel staff and Kicukiro District local leaders.
Charles Muia, Serena Hotel’s country manager in Rwanda, said the trees were expected to increase fruits on the market as well as household incomes.
“Fruit bearing trees are likely to improve residents’ welfare by increasing incomes from their crops. In 24 months, we shall be able to come back to the village and buy the fruits. Gahanga residents will supply the fruits to as well as other markets,” Muia said.
He noted that at the time Serena Hotels started working in Rwanda, they used to import the fruits.
“We have been encouraging and training people on how to produce more of the crops so that we no longer import.”
Muia added that the hotel’s staff follow up on planted trees to ensure their protection and conservation and that plans are underway to plant 10,000 agro forestry trees in Musanze in collaboration with community.
Innocent Twagirayezu, an official from Kicukiro urged residents to increase crop production for economic growth.
“It is not good to hear that Serena Hotel has been importing products we can produce locally. In no more than 24 months, you will be enjoying the fruits of today’s activity. We should invest more on our land,” Twagirayezu said.
Jean Bosco Kaboyi, the executive secretary of Gahanga sector, told the residents to protect and conserve the planted trees.
“You will not benefit from these trees unless you take care of them. You should protect and conserve them. Your welfare will be improved when you start selling the fruits,” Kaboyi said.
The hotel plans to plant 50,000 trees of different species countrywide in line with environment conservation by end April.
About Serena Hotels Rwanda
Kigali Serena Hotel: Ideally located on one of Kigali’s most charming boulevards, the five-star Kigali Serena Hotel is built around a polished granite atrium, which showcases the very best of Rwandese cultural art.
Relaxed yet elegant, the hotel features an Executive Lounge and Bar, which opens onto a wide sundeck overlooking the newly refurbished swimming pool. Also overlooking the pool, the popular Milima Restaurant offers a wide range of all-day buffet choices, while the relaxed Sokoni Café offers inside and outside poolside seating.
Regarded by many as Kigali’s natural business hub, the hotel also boasts its own extensive conference centre, 500-seater auditorium and lavish ballroom.
The Kigali Serena Hotel is one of the leading conference venues in Kigali.
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel: Serenely sited on the white sandy shores of Lake Kivu, the sixth largest lake in Africa, and surrounded by extensive tropical gardens, the tastefully open-plan Lake Kivu Serena Hotel offers the ideal extended holiday destination in Rwanda or week-end escape.
Within several hours drive of both the Rwandan capital, and the glorious Volcanoes National Park (home of the world famous mountain gorillas), it overlooks its own private beach and offers; 66 luxury hotel rooms, executive suites and family accommodation, a panoramic restaurant, indoor and beachside bars, a luxury swimming pool, and the ‘Maisha’ Health Centre (offering an extensive range of health and beauty regimes, boating, swimming, volley ball, tennis, fishing, hiking and trekking). Our Lake Kivu hotel also boasts a world-class fully-integrated Conference Centre, allowing business personalities and firms to hold effective conferencing and networking sessions
