RDB commemorates victims of genocide

In an event which included a walk to remember, tour of the genocide memorial site at Gisozi, extending financial support to the site and reflection by the employees on the history of Rwanda; the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) commemorated the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi on June 6.

All the activities undertaken on the day aimed to ensure that the institution’s employees remain cautious of the history that characterized their country and thus spur them to doing everything possible to turn it around and bring Rwanda to achieving sustainable economic development.

Clare Akamanzi the CEO of RDB notably said that this year’s national theme which requires Rwandans to “strive for self reliance” is in her view directed to the institution she heads above anyone else.

“Our job at RDB is to stimulate the development of Rwanda through marketing what it produces and pitching the investment opportunities available in order to lobby investors. By doing this, the end target is to achieve self sustaining economic development and this is what the theme this year requires every Rwandan.”

In light to the role that RDB plays in Rwanda’s journey towards self reliance, Akamanzi offered that the employees of this institution are required to have a clear knowledge of the dilemma that befell the country in 1994 such that it impels them into vigorous action in order to give birth to a new era of sustainable development.

Despite that RDB as an Institution was founded after the genocide and thus did not directly lose its employees, there are many of its staff that either survived the genocide or lost their family members during period.

Taking part in commemoration was therefore also a way of portraying to these employees and other Rwandans that RDB is together with them in the sorrowful moments of the 100 days that Rwanda takes to reflect on what happened and mourn for the lost loved ones.

Unlike similar events that were held in preceding years, the event this time involved a walk to remember which started from the Kigali Public Library to the Genocide Memorial at Gisozi.

During previous years, RDB also commemorated the genocide by, at several occasions, sparing time to spend with orphans and widows of the genocide so as to give them solace and comfort.

With a knowledgeable workforce in Rwanda’s history and the dark times that characterized it, RDB leadership scored that they are confident their task of stimulating national and individual development will be accomplished.