Rwandan’s to celebrate Boston, country’s progress

Sister Ann Fox (second from left) and Rwandan national Jean Nganji (third from left) are joined by friends at Camrbidge's Bourbon Coffee.

Thousands of Rwandans will gather in the Hub this weekend to celebrate the African country’s close ties to Boston, its culture and its achievements since it was torn apart 18 years ago by genocide.

Rwandan Day celebrations and events are expected to attract 2,000 Rwandans living and working in the United States and Canada as well as a delegation headed by President Paul Kagame.

Last month Metro published an exclusive interview with Kagame that included a timeline of the 1994 genocide that took place there.

“No North American city has contributed more to Rwanda’s progress in the 18 years since the genocide more than Boston,” said Jean Nganji, a Rwandan national now living in Greater Boston.

Nganji cited Boston’s Partners In Health with assisting the country’s health system and Sister Ann Fox and Angela Menino, wife of Mayor Thomas Menino, for helping to set up a girl’s school in a district in the country.

“We have come a long way, but we also have a long way to go,” Nganji said.

Rwanda Day is being put on by the North American Rwanda Community and takes place Friday and Saturday.