Today the 7^th of October 2018 Rwandan communities all over the country celebrated the international elderly people’s day to honor the role of older people in society not only through parental perspective but also their contribution to the socio-economic development.

The ceremony took place at village level across the country while Gicumbi District hosted national ceremony; it was preceded by a week-long activities carried out by the community members to raise awareness on the role family members in taking care of elderly people and charity activities towards them.

During today’s celebration, each of six elderly people received a cow as community support to avail milk to the vulnerable ones who need it in their older age; drama, poems and songs were also performed in honor of the older people who gathered to celebrate their day with the rest of the community of Rukomo Sector.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister of State for Social Affairs in the Ministry of Local Government, Dr. Mukabaramba Alvera said since 2000 Rwanda has joined the rest of the world because rwandan culture values the human rights and the role of elderly people in society.

She said: “We also know that though you are in weak age, you can still support community by communicating knowledge and moral values to younger generations and transfer Rwandan culture.”

Dr. Mukabaramba called upon the community members to remember to be responsible for the older people not only as because they are parents but importantly human beings.

Rwanda designated the 7^th of October as elderly people’s day while the rest of the world celebrates it on the 1^st of October as stipulated by United Nations resolution n^o 45/106.