KIGALI, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Rwandans on Friday marked the National Harvest Day, locally known as Umuganura, with a call on citizens to maintain unity and support the school feeding program in the country.
A moment to celebrate achievements in various social and economic activities, the celebrations at village levels countrywide featured entertainment with traditional recipes, fashion shows as well as sharing of traditional drinks and staple foods.
This year's celebrations were focused on supporting the national school feeding program, through the "Dusangire Lunch" campaign of the Ministry of Education, aiming to educate parents and communities about the importance of providing nutritious meals to every child in school. Dusangire means "let's have dinner" in Kinyarwanda, Rwanda's national language.
Officials emphasized the need for more community awareness to ensure that every Rwandan student receives a nutritious meal at school.
While the Rwandan government covers 90 percent of the school feeding cost per child, parents are required to contribute towards the remaining 10 percent per term.
Speaking at the national celebrations in eastern Rwanda's Kayonza District, Jean Damascene Bizimana, Rwanda's minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, called on Rwandans to work with dedication in whatever they do and develop a culture of working together for self-development.
He said the government's wish is to see all Rwandans working together to seek solutions to challenges faced by the country.
Bizimana also urged Rwandans to maintain national unity and patriotism while working for the development of the country.
Traditionally, the National Harvest Day was a cultural event observed by Rwandans at the beginning of every harvest, to celebrate the achievements in terms of harvest both at the kingdom and family level.
Faustin Niyonsaba, a Rwandan elder resident in Kayonza District, said the National Harvest Day promotes Rwandan cultural values and remains a unifying factor for Rwandans through sharing without exclusion.
