INTORE MU BIRUHUKO 2025: Kinyinya Sector aims to set a new standard

4 months ago TOPAFRICANEWS

As Rwanda officially launched the Youth Holidays Program (Intore mu Biruhuko) on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, the leadership of Kinyinya Sector in Gasabo District says it wants to give this year’s program a special touch compared to previous years.

Now in its 10th year, the Youth Holidays Program is a national initiative designed to engage young people during the holidays. This year, the program will run at the Cell level three days a week—Monday, Wednesday, and Friday—from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

In Kinyinya Sector, program sites have been set up at Murama Cell (hosted at GS Kinyinya), GS Rwankuba, GS Kagugu, and World Mission High School, according to Charles Havuguziga, the Executive Secretary of the sector. Participants will be divided into three age groups according to their ages (10 to 13; 14 to 16, and 17 to 20).

“We have qualified trainers, sports activities, and educational dialogues. We’re ready to welcome large numbers of youth—both those in school and those out of school—across the planned sites. This year, we want the program to be even better than ever before,” said Havuguziga.

He emphasized the program will help uncover and nurture children’s talents in various areas while protecting them from alcohol, drugs, and bad influences that could lead to prostitution, theft, or other harmful behavior.

“We urge parents to send their children to the program because they will benefit much more than if they just stayed at home or spent time elsewhere outside the designated sites. In particular, when it comes to education, they will return to school mentally refreshed and ready to learn”.

Emma Claudine Ntirenganya, Director General for Communication and Education at the City of Kigali, highlighted the importance of this program in shielding youth from the many distractions present during school holidays—both at home and outside.

“During the holidays, there are numerous distractions. Beyond the streets, children now spend time glued to TVs, exposed to all sorts of content. We can’t ignore mobile phones and internet-connected computers. Many kids now own or borrow such devices when they return home from school,” she explained.

“It’s not wrong to use technology—but even studies show that overuse is unhealthy. Without alternatives, students often spend most of their time absorbed in content that may negatively affect their thinking. That’s why the Youth in Holidays Program was introduced—to give them meaningful, nation-building activities, because they are the workforce of the future.”

The Youth Holidays Program is jointly organized by the Ministry of Youth and ARTS, the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINIBUMWE), the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC), the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), the Ministry of Health (MOH/RBC), the Ministry of Sports (MINISPORT), and other key partners.

The program’s main goal is to protect the health of children and young people from bad habits such as drugs and other things that could damage their lives and other risky habits, while also nurturing their understanding of Rwandan culture, developing their talents, and promoting civic responsibility.