Monday , a delegation from the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) visited students at the Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK) who are part of the institution’s Environmental Club.
Virginie Mugororeyimana, REMA’s Environment and Climate Change Advocacy Specialist, explained that the visit is part of REMA’s initiative to monitor the activities of environmental clubs in higher learning institutions and universities across Rwanda.
“As part of REMA’s mandate, we oversee environmental clubs in universities. This visit was aimed at assessing their progress in implementing their action plans and identifying areas where they might need support to achieve their goals,” said Mugororeyimana.
During the visit, REMA officials were briefed on the club’s activities and the challenges they have faced.
Iratuzi Bardine, the club leader, highlighted key initiatives, such as participation in the weekly cleaning campaigns held every Tuesday in the Southern Province and the monthly Umuganda community work.
Additionally, Iratuzi noted that the club members had engaged in various activities, including environmental conservation visits, attending workshops organized by REMA, and participating in the launch of Environment Week on May 25, 2024.
However, Iratuzi pointed out that despite their efforts, the club’s impact remains limited due to financial constraints.
“We usually plan activities every three months. In the last quarter, we intended to conduct awareness campaigns in different districts but couldn’t due to insufficient travel funds,” she explained.
She also mentioned that having a uniform would enhance their visibility and facilitate their conservation activities.
Addressing the club’s resource challenges, Emmanuel Rushema, the State of Environment Officer at REMA, encouraged the students to draft a detailed proposal outlining their needs and submit it to ICK’s administration. This would allow the university to formally request REMA’s support for the club’s environmental initiatives.
It was revealed that REMA is organizing a competition for students in higher learning institutions to submit innovative environmental projects. In this regard, ICK’s club members urged to prepare a proposal that could compete with entries from other universities, focusing on impactful solutions for environmental conservation.
Currently, the ICK Environmental Club comprises over 50 members from various academic departments within the institution. For the next three months, the club plans to plant 600 trees, participate in monthly Umuganda, and continue raising awareness about environmental protection.