Special Olympics Rwanda on Friday, October 9, received Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth Rwf5 million donated by Banque Populaire du Rwanda Plc (BPR Plc.) to boost the fight against Covid-19. The donation includes step and wash equipment, face masks and liquid soap among other items. Handing over the equipment, Maurice K. Toroitich, the Managing Director of BPR, explained that the reason the bank chose to support Special Olympics Rwanda is because it is part of their social responsibility as a banking institution to support people with special needs in society especially during this time of Covid-19 when life is challenging even in ordinary circumstances. Maurice K. Toroitich, the Managing Director of BPR, speaks at the event to hand over the PPE donation to Special Olympics Rwanda on Friday. Photos: Craish Bahizi. “We know that even in the ordinary circumstances, people have a lot of difficulties and we thought working with Special Olympics is a good thing because they support people with special needs,” he said, noting that “During this challenging time, we are certain the support we are giving out will go a long way in helping athletes with intellectual disabilities.” “As a community of BPR we identify with their cause and therefore the reason why we decided to extend support to them,” he added. Toroitich also noted that this is the first time that BPR has worked with Special Olympics but they have had conversations with them before to explore other ways of supporting them. “So this is the beginning of what I believe is going to be a long-term relationship in supporting Special Olympics Rwanda.” Face masks are some of the protective gear that BPR supported Special Olympics with. The donation to Special Olympics Rwanda is worth Rwf5 million, and the donated materials will be distributed to schools with Special Olympics programmes, while some will go to training facilities. Speaking at the occasion, Deus Sangwa, the chairman of Special Olympics Rwanda, said that the BPR support comes at a good time as it will be able to help athletes with mental disabilities. “We are very grateful to BPR for the generous support. The materials we just received will help at least 500 athletes with mental disabilities.” Group photo after the ceremony to hand over the PPE donation BPR Managing Director Maurice K. Toroitich (R) and Special Olympics Chairman Dues Sangwa (C) test the donated step and wash equipment at the ceremony.
