Rwandans are in the second week of a nationwide lockdown that was put in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus and many are adjusting to the new normal, staying home. While some continue to work from home, others are using this time to work out, learn how to cook new dishes, pick up new hobbies while others are using social media to share their experiences in the lockdown. We want to bring you some of these social media posts and videos that have been instrumental in warming hearts, bringing hope and laughter to many during this difficult time. The Bishop’s Romantic Dinner When Bishop Laurent Mbanda shared a short story of his wife’s romantic gesture, he perhaps didn’t know how heart-warming it would be during this time when the nation is on edge. Mbanda is the head of the Anglican Church in Rwanda. He took to Twitter to post a short story about how his wife had asked him to dress up because they were going “out” for dinner. He protested, telling her that the country is on lockdown so no one goes out. My wife told me to dress up for a night out! When I said it was night allowed, she said just dress up today! We seated on our balcony for a “night out” pic.twitter.com/NFyfQV9EaP — Laurent Mbanda (@MbandaLaurent) March 29, 2020 It later turned out that his wife’s idea was to have dinner “out” at the balcony of their family home, with respect to the ‘Stay at Home’ campaign. The balcony setting, complete with candles and flowers melted many hearts. The tweet has since been liked by over 3,200 people and retweeted by over 200. The ‘dancing patient’ Clad in blue hospital pajamas and bathroom slippers, the COVID-19 patient, only identified as Fabrice is seen in his hospital room vigorously dancing to popular South African ‘Jerusalem’ song. After 48 hours since it was uploaded, the 36-second video has been shared across several platforms, attracting over 83,000 views, 3,100 likes and has been retweeted 900 times on Twitter alone. #Covid19 patients in Rwanda are under treatment in stable condition in isolated health facilities, the have access to their phones, laptops, TV & free medications. Meet Fabrice from Dubai, he tested positive of Covid 19 few days back... The video tells much of his condition.. pic.twitter.com/3HTn9xxCsx — Samuel-Baker Byansi (@Baker_Reports) March 29, 2020 While it’s not clear if he is one of the patients found to have been infected with the virus or one of those in isolation, Fabrice’s video has brought hope to many. Reacting to the video, Innocent Ndayizeye posted about the joy that had come with seeing Fabrice dancing. “This man has really made my day. May God deliver quick recovery to him and see his safe return home. I have so far washed my hands about 20 times today,” he wrote. The ‘Sporty’ Minister Sports Minister Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju’s ‘sporty’ side first won the hearts of many when she was months ago seen in a video riding a sports bicycle around the national stadium. However, Munyangaju’s latest video, where she is seen in a sports session with her husband and two of her children cemented her professional portfolio. The youthful minister uses the video to remind Rwandans to utilize the lockdown and include sports in their daily routine so as to maintain healthy bodies. Munyangaju’s two-minute video has been viewed 22,500 times, shared 212 and liked by 1600 people. Confinement exploité utilement. Don’t forget to stay fit #GumaMuRugo #StayHome #BeActive #TwirindeCovid19 #WashYourHands #Tuzatsinda @RBCRwanda @RwandaHealth @Rwanda_Sports pic.twitter.com/NdbpbO6g73 — Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju (@AuroreMimosa) March 29, 2020 The ‘12 million’ tweet When Nelly Iliza suggested the need for the government to get “Rwf12m and split it, giving Rfw1m to each of the 12 million Rwandans’, she probably didn’t expect the scrutiny that the tweet would get. Before long, many people had questions about which school she had gone to, with some suggesting that she needed to go back to primary school to benefit from the government’s free primary education. The tweet was shared 80 times and liked by 909 people on Twitter. 621 people had something to say about her “idea”. Rwanda has 12 Million people. It will only cost the government 12Millions if they give everyone One million during this pandemic and we stay Home. Nukuri turabizezako tutazanarunguruka no mwidirishya dufite one million each person Murakoze ?? — Iliza Nelly (@ilizanina) March 26, 2020 In a different post that attracted equally the same attention, Iliza who has since turned the whole experience into a joke, reminded those criticising her that it is normal to make errors and criticised people who sent her private messages insulting her and questioning the state of her mental health.
