The Gisovu Tea Company Limited, located in Karongi District in the Western Province, has contributed Rwf10 million to help support needy families affected by COVID-19 crisis.

"The contributions were raised by the Company and all its employees and pledged to the Mayor, Karongi District as a gesture of solidarity and support to our District Authorities who are tirelessly helping needy families in these trying times”, said Sanjay Ronald Sharma, the Manager of the company.

"We express our appreciation and gratitude for the sterling efforts that are being made by District Authorities under the guidance of the Government of Rwanda in the fight to curb the onslaught of the COVID-19 virus. Our contribution is to help our fellow citizens in need in these difficult times, to help those families that are finding it difficult due to the very essential COVID-19 lockdown,” he said.

He explained that since the agricultural sector continues to operate, the employees of the company- who are still working and earning – felt obliged to help those most in need at the moment. "The management and employees of Gisovu Tea Company Limited unanimously and generously pledged the equivalent of two days earnings, which the Company added to and raised Rwf10 million,” he noted.

The company has joined many other companies and individuals that have started voluntarily putting together money and other essential items such as food to families that need help during this COVID-19 lockdown.

The Gisovu Tea Company is part of the SilverBack Tea Company Limited. It is a partnership between the Luxmi Tea Company Ltd, the Wood Foundation Africa, the Agaciro Development Fund and the Coothegim Cooperative. It has 1,200 employees and grows tea on 1,400 hectares. We make some of the best teas in Rwanda. Our teas fetched the highest price of USD 6.58 per kilogram at the Mombasa Tea Auction on Wednesday,” he said.

In August 2019 at the East African Tea Traders Association (EATTA) auction in Mombasa, Gisovu tea factory came second selling at $5.97 (approximately Rwf4500) per kilogram overshadowing famous pioneers of high-quality producers including those from Uganda and Kenya.