8th of May is the International Red Cross and Red Crescent day. That is something that we wouldn’t let pass unnoticed here in Butare, so inspired by last year’s Youth Delegates, we decided to arrange a Solferino campaign.
Daniel, Harald and Jonathan - ready for zebra crossing activity!
Painting. Police is helping with the traffic.
The week lasted from the 3rd of May and was finalized with a big celebration in the Huye Stadium on the 8th of May. Many volunteers were involved, many activities were being done and many new members were being recruited.
Harald making an effort. Precision is key.
Stand in down town Butare.
Membership cards for newly recruited Red Cross members.
We collected food and clothes and other items for vulnerable people in our district, we painted four zebra crossings in the town of Butare, we received 64 blood donations, we had stands were 23 new members were recruited, and we had a celebration were 85 Red Cross volunteers played football, sang songs, performed sketches, proclaimed poems and danced intore dance. We were able to give out the collected items both during the celebrations and in two hospitals after celebration finished . We ended it all with having the committee members, volunteers and participants sharing a Fanta (the Rwandan word for soda) and lovely sambuzas (a Rwandan meat filled pastry).
School boy donating blood for the Red Cross. Reward: cake, fanta and water.
Registering all of the 64 donors.
The celebration day on the 8th of May. Football is essential for celebration. Ready for the match between Red Cross University section of NUR and Groupe Scolaire secondary school. Here the University team in Red Cross jerseys.
Paul Bizimana came from the HQ to attend the celebration. Paying close attention to the ongoing match.
A group of volunteers from Maraba singing the Red Cross hymn before hearing the first speech of the day.
Waiting for their turn to play.
Intore dancers.
Gatagara high school performing their sketch about the Red Cross movement. The street children are paying close attention.
The donations for the vulnerable are lined up in the stadium.
Giving a basin with a plate, a spoon, beans, rice and some clothes to a woman from the village.
The volunteers relaxing outside the Red Cross office in Ngoma, waiting for their fanta.
Well done, volunteers!