On June 21, 2025, Kigali will awaken to the vibrant pulse of unity, hope, and determination as the Festival of Sports, Rotary Edition takes center stage.
More than just a gathering of games and cheering crowds, the event promises to weave together athleticism and activism, all in support of a cause that touches lives in the most vulnerable corners of Rwanda cancer care.
The Festival of Sports- Rotary Edition is Organized in collaboration with Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga, Rotary Sport UK, Rotary Club of Kigali Golf and Wura Holdings Ltd.
This is a unique celebration driven by a heartfelt mission to raise funds to purchase an electric powered minibus that will help transport cancer patients to and from Kanombe Military hospital.
For those battling cancer, particularly in rural Rwanda, this vehicle could mean the difference between life and loss.
It’s not just a day of sport. It’s a day of purpose. We are uniting the community Rotarians, families, embassies and businesses to light a fire of compassion through sport,” says Jacqueline Duniah, President of Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga.
“This project began years ago, born from a conversation at Kanombe Military Hospital where we learned that cancer patients from upcountry with no relatives around were sleeping on verandas, without a place to stay while waiting for the next session of treatment. It’s how we sustain what we started,” Duniah further explained.
Their goal was to ensure no patient endures cancer care alone, or on an empty stomach. What began as temporary relief has grown into a determined campaign to provide consistent, dignified support.
One cornerstone of this campaign is the Bethania Home Care for Cancer Patients in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District.
The facility, under the stewardship of Sister Helena L. Katebera of Our Lady Queen of Africa Congregation, has cared for over 250 patients since 2022, individuals often from poor, remote communities, receiving cancer treatment far from home.
“We started this place with a few resources and a limited budget, but there was faith. Patients here receive not just food and lodging, but companionship, dignity, and love.” explains Sr. Helena, the Program Coordinator.
“We now grow our own vegetables. Well-wishers donate food supplies but the ambulance that we use is old, guzzles fuel, breaks down often, and carries only one person at a time. It is not sustainable,” she reiterated.
The Festival of Sports- Rotary Edition aims to rewrite that story
On that Saturday, June 21, 2025, the fields of International School of Kigali Rwanda (ISKR) will echo with cheers, laughter, and footsteps running toward change.
Participants will engage in games, races, and friendly matches but behind every goal scored and race run is a deeper ambition, to bring a reliable, energy-efficient minibus to Bethania.
This Minibus will be capable of transporting 15 to 16 patients per trip, reducing costs and increasing access to life-saving care.
“It’s going to be an amazing day. We want everyone there, brothers, sisters, neighbors, to celebrate life and fight for those who can’t fight alone. Some vendors have already committed to donate their proceeds towards the cause, a significant moment to rise together,” emphasized Duniah.
The Festival of Sports- Rotary Edition is a celebration of human spirit, showcasing what can happen when compassion leads the way.
It is a call to action, a rallying cry on a playing field, and a powerful reminder that the fight against cancer isn’t just fought in hospitals, but in every choice we make to stand together.
