Animating youth through Nature Cleaning: Young people participate in end of the month Cleaning Service at Don Bosco Kabgayi 

By Emmanuel TWIZEYIMANA

In Rwanda every last Saturday of the month, there is community work commonly known as “Umuganda” in Kinyarwanda. 

The main aim of this community work is to contribute towards national development and creating a cohesion among the community members. On Saturday 26 November 2022, the oratory of Don Bosco Kabgayi had organized community work especially for the youth of this oratory which is located in Muhanga district, Shyogwe Sector, Kabeza village in Ruli Cell.

 The goal of this activity is not only to keep the oratory clean but also to educate them about community work and to develop the spirit of environmental conservation among the young people. 

According to Father MUNYANKINDI Anaclet director of Scolasticat Don Bosco Kabgayi “when the parents of our young people participate in the community work, we had thought that it could be good, that their children come to do the same where they play from, so that they learn to take care of all things around them and which also are beneficial for them and for the whole society.”

“ How it will be good when a child will pass on water which is flowing and he can close it or call someone to help. Or when playing in a dirty place, he could analyze it and is aware of keeping it clean as one his responsibilities”He added

“Now we are planting trees, they have to know that they have a duty to protect and to take care of them so that they play in a conducive environment.” Father Munyankindi explained

Father BASHEMEZIMANA Thiery, who is in charge of the oratory, thanked the children who have participated.

 He expressed his joy in seeing children working courageously and happily. “I’m happy on this day of community work in our oratory. The way in which children participate daily in our oratory, makes me feel very happy. It’s been quite a long time not doing this work because of the covid-19 pandemic. We really hope that children will be many as soon as we continue to do this and day after day, they will feel responsible for keeping our environment clean and safe”

Father Thierry continued saying that it is very important to give young people early training on community work and to be responsible, because this helps them to be good citizens.

 He also said that very soon in Don Bosco Kabgayi a club of environment protection will be founded. 

He wishes to restart and to strengthen other clubs of the oratory. He gave the example of “RENGERA UMWANA CLUB” which aims at bringing each child in this club, so that children know their rights, their duties, and how to fight against the violence and do this for others. 

On the side of the youth, they were very happy with this work. They promised to be promoters and protectors of the environment. Practically, every child who was present, promised to plant a tree where he lives and to follow it up until it grows.