On this day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, all the rooms in the main reception centers in Kibeho were occupied despite the continuing global health crisis. The need to invest in the hospitality industry is once again felt.
The usual rush of Catholic Christians to Kibeho on 15 August was not noticed. No one was on the esplanade because of the preventive measures against the spread of covid-19. Only a few hundred worshippers followed the celebration of the mass inside the chapel dedicated to the Mother of the Word.
However, the very limited capacity of the hotels did not suffer. Uwineza Alice who came to Kibeho with her daughter from Ruhango district said she will return the same day because she could not find a hotel room.
“This is the third time I have come here to Kibeho. Today I come to implore the Virgin Mary to intercede with her Son so that I can have peace in my family. (..). I wanted to spend at least a week in meditation but there are no more hotel rooms. So I have to go back today (…).”
Nshimiyimana Alphonse, a resident of Huye, believes that more space is needed in the coming years. “When I came before Covid-19, there were many people everywhere. There was a lot of jostling. It would be better to extend this esplanade so that it can receive more worshippers in adequate conditions.” He said.
The provisional mayor of Nyaruguru district, Gashema Janvier, took advantage of this particular situation to remind private investors, national and foreign, of the opportunities to invest in the Holy Land of Kibeho, especially in hotels.
“In ordinary times, on this day we received more than 80,000 people at one time. (..). These people need to be housed and fed. Now we have the asphalt road and other necessary infrastructure like water, electricity and internet. I therefore call on private investors to seize this opportunity because the Covid-19 pandemic will one day be defeated.” said Mayor Gashema.
The Assumption 2021 was characterized by three masses celebrated inside the chapel: the first at 08:00, the second at 12:00 and the third at 14:00. Some foreign pilgrims were also present, notably Americans, Poles and Kenyans. The maximum number allowed for each mass was 240 faithful.
Domice Gasarabwe
