The International Day of Families was celebrated this Saturday, 15 May 2021 under the theme: ‘A Resilient Family, A Foundation of Sustainable Development’. Celebrations at National level were held in Muko Sector, Gicumbi District while observing guidelines to contain Covid-19. In attendance was the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Prof. BAYISENGE Jeannette and other officials who joined residents of this sector to witness citizen initiative in addressing family issues. As part of the celebration, MIGEPROF and UNFPA donated two million, five hundred thousand Rwandan Frws (2,500,000Frws) to support citizens initiatives championed by Muko residents to build a safe and resilient family.

Speaking at the event, Prof. BAYISENGE hailed residents for playing a role in addressing family issues through the mentorship program dubbed ‘Baptism Parenting’. Through this program, poor couples are accompanied by mentors on effective use of government support dedicated to the most vulnerable in efforts to help them graduate.

‘It has been proved that when citizens are empowered and supported, they have the ability to address their problems.’ Underlined the Minister.

Prof. BAYISENGE added: ‘This mentorship program/Baptism Parenting’, that was piloted in Muko sector has been successful even beyond expectations. I applaud the people who initiated and implemented it and mostly the couples who accepted to be mentored, followed the advice from mentors. I hail your courage, you proved that unity is strength.’

The mentorship program was launched in 2018 targeting citizens of Ubudehe Category 1 who benefit from government support and VUP scheme. As of May 2021, seventy-five couples have been mentored on various government programs, addressing poverty, using the government support effectively, saving money and addressing other issues that hinder their well-being.

Some of the beneficiaries concede that their lives have improved due to this program. ‘Before getting a mentor, I was misusing all the money earned from VUP because I would spend it all on alcohol and since I started saving, I have been able to renovate my house and I no longer run out of cash. I have also improved my farming and livestock; thanks to my mentor for encouraging me to save.’- Attests Buregeya Boniface, a  resident of Muko Sector.

Mentors say that the mentorship program aims at instilling resilience amongst beneficiaries as a way of helping them to graduate from Ubudehe Category 1 and address their issues.

‘The Government supports you to help you graduate from poverty and become resilient not to remain idle because it is against our values (Rwandan). As the saying goes, teach a person how to fish instead of giving them a fish. They (mentees) get a fish from the Government and we teach them how they can fish on their own in the future.’ says Ms. Musabyemariya Annociatta, a mentor

The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion recalled Muko residents that addressing family issues requires joint efforts by all family members notably parents. Some of the persisting issues underlined by the Minister include domestic violence, illegal marriages, Gender Based Violence, child exploitation (child labor, child defilement, school dropout), malnutrition and child stunting.

The International  Day of Families was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993. It is celebrated every year on 15^th May to reflect the importance the international community attaches to families. The Day is observed as an opportunity to promote awareness on issues affecting the family well-being, discussing how to jointly address them.

Click here to watch a documentary highlighting initiatives championed by citizens to address family issues.