The Chinese Embassy in Rwanda has donated various items worth approximately Rwf53 million in support of Rwanda and Imbuto Foundation’s COVID-19 prevention and response efforts.
Among the items include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 520 boxes of respiratory masks, 500 bottles of hand sanitiser, 200 thermometers and 300 Mara smartphones.
These items are expected to help hundreds of Community Health Workers and vulnerable households, mainly in rural areas and are a welcomed addition to the Foundation’s efforts in contributing to national response efforts in various sectors.
On Friday, Xing Yuchun, DCM, Political Counselor at the Embassy, handed over the equipment to Mrs. Radegonde Ndejuru, Senior Advisor in the Office of the First Lady and member of Imbuto Foundation Board, as well as Ms. Sandrine Umutoni, Imbuto Foundation’s Director-General.
Radegonde appreciated the long-term partnership between Imbuto Foundation and the Chinese Embassy, which started in 2012.
Apart from the donation of Personal Protective Equipment, the Embassy has also supported the construction of a playground for children in Kacyiru Primary School and provided annual secondary scholarships for Rwandan students through Imbuto Foundation's education programmes, since 2012.
Xing Yuchun congratulated Imbuto Foundation for its achievements over the past 20 years, highlighting the fact that this year also marks the 50th anniversary of China-Rwanda diplomatic ties.
She affirmed the Embassy’s commitment to the fight against COVID-19 in Rwanda.
"During this time of the pandemic, the Chinese Embassy wishes to further our cooperation by supporting local Rwandans’ fight against COVID-19. We hope what we donated can provide better protection for Community Health Workers and better educate people about the pandemic,” she said.
Imbuto Foundation has collaborated with governmental bodies, institutions and other key stakeholders to fight the spread of the COVID-19 where it has supported the raising of $100,000 to the purchase of new Covid-19 testing machines to be used in increasing the testing capacity of the country.
It has also developed and disseminated information and material on radio, aimed at helping young listeners and their parents cope with COVID-19 related restrictions, encouraging positive parenting and promoting healthy lifestyles.
The foundation seeks to continue supporting national efforts in protecting Community Health Workers, as their role continues to expand and place them at the frontline of this pandemic.
The foundation is also looking to support young learners, especially those from vulnerable families, to access educational and school content via local radios.
Through the Connect Rwanda initiative - that aims to ensure that each household in the country owns at least a smartphone especially during these uncertain times, Imbuto Foundation also aims to support at least 300 vulnerable families.
Chinese Embassy donation of PPE material and smartphones, in support of Rwanda and Imbuto Foundation's COVID prevention and response efforts.
Through a partnership established in 2012, the Chinese Embassy has supported various initiatives under Imbuto Foundation's Education Programme.