Chairman's Word


Chairman’s word:
Fellow Rwandans resident in the United Kingdom, dear friends of our community and our country,
Welcome to the first edition of our newsletter, Rwanda diaspora Focus, which will not only cover news, events and life of Rwandans in the United Kingdom (UK), but anything and everything Rwandan across the European Union.
Our community in the UK is slowly but surely coming of age. The Rwandese Community Association in the UK (RCA) has been around for a while as an informal community group that brings Rwandans together, keeps their culture alive, and advocates for their interests.  In the last couple of years, given the increasing number of Rwandans in the UK and associated challenges, the management committee of RCA took a strategic decision to formalise its existence, develop policies, build proper structures and get involved in the wider community development spectrum.  
It’s on the above platform; the platform of change and organisational development that my first and second leadership contests as Chairman were based.  We pledged to improve the way we engage and communicate with Rwandans up and down the UK territory; we pledged to organise our youth and set them on course to their own personal development and engagement with their culture and country of heritage; we pledged to ensure that UK Rwandans are not detached from the rest of Rwanda and Rwandan culture; we pledged to maintain the unity of all Rwandans through events that bring them together,  and to  stand up for our people’s and our country’s rights and interests, and we pledged to get RCA formalised and recognised under British Law.
I am happy to report that even though the above were not a feat to be accomplished in just two years, we have come along way.
To begin with, RCA is now a charitable company (limited by guarantee) in England and Wales, and is on course to acquiring full charity status by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Communication with our community has vastly improved in the last two years, with a new website, use of social media such as facebook, and now this electronic Newsletter. We plan to have this newsletter circulating in print in a very near future.  
Our young people are more engaged with their community, culture, and country than ever before, and they have created their own sub-group Rwandan Youth United (UK). We have connected some of our youth to life-changing opportunities, such as the acts in the movie Africa United. 
Other community development initiatives in the pipeline include the Community Hardship Fund, the Rwanda Diaspora House UK, and the Young Achievers Award.
We have organised events that bring Rwandans and friends of Rwanda to celebrate together, including the invitation from Rwanda of famous artist Intore   Massamba last July.  And we are now planning the mother of all events: Rwanda Diaspora Convention Europe 2011!
Finally, I am cognisant of the fact that we would not have achieved all this without the support of community members, and our partners.
On behalf of RCA management committee, I wish to whole heartedly thank YOU and our partners: Rwanda High Commission (www.ambarwanda.org.uk ) Ethiopian Airlines (www.ethiopianairlines.com ) Dahabshiil Money Transfer (www.dahabshiil.com ), Terrence Higgins Trust (www.tht.org.uk ),  Live & Let Live, Camden Black & Ethnic Minority Alliance (www.cbmea.org.uk ) , The London Irish Centre (www.londonirishcentre.net ), and many more, who have supported our various initiatives in one way or  the other. I have no doubt that we will continue to count on you. 
Please enjoy the first edition of Rwanda Diaspora Focus Your comments and feedback are welcome. 
Ignatius Mugabo
Chairman.