First Lady Jeannette Kagame urged both men and women to display equal commitment in their parenting roles, emphasizing that they shouldn’t impose their own aspirations onto their children but rather serve as role models to guide them forward.
Addressing the audience at the Young Leaders Prayer Breakfast on August 13, an event focused on nurturing strong leadership values, First Lady encouraged a diverse gathering of leaders from various sectors in the country.
The Rwanda Leaders Fellowship (RLF) organized the event, which centered around the theme “Young Leaders and Parenting Today.” It brought together young professionals from government, the private sector, and civil society to engage in discussions about effectively managing parenthood alongside other responsibilities.
First Lady conveyed that the inner strength required to successfully balance these demanding roles often emerges from a sense of necessity rather than conscious recognition. She suggested that individuals might question the outcomes if they had taken different paths.
She highlighted the negative impact of absent fathers on households and their children, prompting attendees to consider prioritizing their presence and time for their children’s well-being over other distractions.
In contemplating a world governed by detrimental behaviors like poisonous habits, depression, and low self-esteem, First Lady underscored the importance of prayer and adhering to national values while also acquiring valuable parenting insights.
The First Lady underscored that parents shouldn’t forcefully direct their children towards predetermined paths but instead serve as an inspirational force, showing the appeal of the desired outcomes through their own achievements.
The event also included a panel discussion focusing on common mistakes parents make by not actively participating in their children’s developmental journey, even from an early age. The discussion also explored strategies for carving out time from busy schedules to ensure meaningful parental involvement.
Ivan Twagirageshema, Deputy CEO of Rwanda Mining, Petroleum, Gas Board (RMB), and guest speaker, stressed the multifaceted role parents play in shaping their children’s futures, emphasizing the importance of instilling moral values and creating a conducive environment.
He encouraged parents to go beyond financial support and impart wisdom and life skills that can’t be learned solely in schools. Twagirageshema referred to scriptures such as Psalms 127:4-5, Proverbs 29:15, and Proverbs 22:6 to underscore his points.
The Rwanda Leaders Fellowship, initiated in 1995, aims to pray for Rwanda’s leadership and promote the integration of godly values in decision-making. The fellowship annually hosts the National Prayer Breakfast, an event that brings leaders together to celebrate the nation’s achievements and contemplate its goals for the upcoming year.
