The meeting was chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), Mireille Batamuriza alongside the Director General of NCDA, Ingabire Assumpta and the Catholic Church Bishop of Kibungo Diocese, Mgr Jean Marie Vianney Twagirayezu who is also in charge of children’s evangelism.

The meeting brought together over 250 catholic church priests in charge of children’s missionary from all parishes and dioceses. 

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, NCDA DG Ingabire Assumpta said that priests in charge of children’s missionary maintain a centre stage in mindset change among children and their families as well as promoting the values leading to protecting children’s rights. 

She tackled on NCDA’s responsibilities saying that there are shared by parents, teachers, priests and other stakeholders

She acknowledged the existing partnership with catholic church seen through different activities aiming at family promotion, and child protection and development.

“This is a good platform to reflect on our responsibilities over the children and to take the partnership forward” She added.

The Bishop of Kibungo Diocese, Jean Marie Vianney Twagirayezu hailed the partnership with NCDA and ensured continue collaboration towards the development and welfare of children.

He urged that being in children’s development mission requires determination beyond being casual servants working against specific daily hours, he said that it needs heart and passion. 

“We need to train children for being righteous Christians so that they will grow up embodying godly values and disciplined” he said.

In her remarks, PS Batamuriza requested priests to help newly wed couples build their families fond of love, understand challenges they face and overcoming them while raising their children. She said that united families create responsible citizens and good Christians.