In a message he posted today on his Twitter account, Jack Ma stated “Our second donation to 54 countries in Africa is on the way. That includes 500 ventilators, 200,000 suits and face shields, 2000 thermometers, 1 million swabs & extraction kits and 500,000 gloves.”
On March 16th, 2020, Jack Ma announced he would donate test kits and protective equipment to all 54 countries of Africa via Twitter. “Africa can be one step ahead of the coronavirus. To each of the 54 African countries, we will donate 20,000 test kits, 100,000 masks, and 1,000 medical use protective suits and face shields.”
On top of the donations, Ma said the Foundation would start working with medical institutions in Africa to provide online training material for COVID-19 clinical treatment.
Apart from Africa, Ma has also donated testing kits to many other countries around the world including Italy, Japan, Spain, and the United States.
Ma stated that “In total, 1.1 million test kits and 60,000 protective masks will be sent to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia will be in charge of supervising the equitable distribution of the donation in all African countries.”
On March 24th, 2020, Dr. Abiy Ahmed confirmed that an Ethiopian Airlines cargo aircraft had left Addis Ababa carrying test kits and other equipment destined to South Africa, Burundi, Rwanda, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Sudan.”
In a message posted on Twitter, President Kagame recently commended Jack Ma for his determination to lead the fight against coronavirus.
“Thank you Jack Ma and Jack Ma Foundation for your generous donation of test kits delivered in Kigali today. This is a huge shot in the arm and a much needed contribution in our work to stop the spread of coronavirus. I know the people of Rwanda join me in gratitude.”
Currently, 104 patients have tested positive for coronavirus in Rwanda while 4 of them recovered and were discharged from hospital over the weekend.
For families with children at home, StarTimes has provided them with adequate programs through its channels, such as ST Kids, Nickelodeon, Da Vinci and Baby TV for young people to watch and learn.
In addition to the television site, these channels and content are also available on the StarTimes ON APP website, which is streamed and reviewed.
There will also be several children’s programs from April, with programs lasting from one to three hours. StarTimes says the ST Kids will change the schedule specially to fit younger kids ’hours.
Early in the morning, there will be a program for elementary school children, a series of children’s series before noon, and two hours of animation in the afternoon.
Home schools are a Television teaching program, opening doors to educate students at home due to the COVID epidemic. From March 27, the program runs every Monday through Friday at ST Kids Saturday at 10:00 a.m. which includes technology, crafts, drawing, and dance.
“We want every child to be safe and knowledgeable both in terms of health and education. Even if children don’t go to school today, they can continue to learn at home.”
Deng Sanming, CEO of StarTimes in Rwanda, says, “As the first television in Africa, the family is the basis of our strategy and children have a special role to play in families. When we are in a state of emergency, we make it a point to deliver educational programs to our customers so that every child can continue to learn daily, safely and at home”.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on April 5, 2020, stated that “As part of our ongoing efforts to fight the Coronavirus epidemic, the Government of Rwanda has decided that all members of the Government, all Secretaries, Permanent Secretaries, heads of government agencies and other senior officials at the national level will sacrifice their April monthly salaries.”
“We continue to thank all Rwandans for their continued cooperation and for continuing to comply with the guidelines for the fight against the Coronavirus.”
On March 25, 2020, the government launched a program to provide necessities including food to the needy as all Rwandans are required to stay at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
One of those arrested is Jean Claude Muhawenimana, 20, who was found in possession of 333 rolls of cannabis, at the time of his arrest in Kageyo Sector in Ngororero.
Hussein Nyatanyi, 43, was also in Nyabihu District, Rugera Sector transporting 250 litres of illicit brew in his car.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, Police spokesperson for the Western region, said the duo was arrested in partnership with local leaders and residents, who provided credible information.
“The arrest of Muhawenimana followed previous information from local leaders that he was a major dealer in cannabis in the area,” said CIP Karekezi.
“When Police officers heard that Muhawenimana had brought another consignment of narcotics, they went to his home and recovered 333 pellets of cannabis concealed in a jerrycan, which was hidden on top of the house,” he explained.
The arrest of Nyatanyi, he added, was based on information from residents, who saw him loading jerrycans of illicit substances in his car.
“Nyatanyi had turned his Toyota Hiace vehicle registration number RAB 877I, to transport goods. This time, he loaded 10 jerrycans of illicit brew in his car and covered them with bananas. Good enough, Police had received information and he was intercepted en-route to Musanze District at about 7 pm,” said the spokesperson.
The suspects have been handed over to RIB.
CIP Karekezi commended the residents and local leaders for the credible information on such criminal activities, which led to the arrest of involved individuals.
RNP warns that anyone, who will be caught for such deceitful actions will be dealt with accordingly.
The warning follows the arrest on Sunday, of Bishop Liliane Mukabadege of Hope Prayer Mountain Church in Kimisagara, Nyarugenge District, who lied Police officers of where she was headed.
“Rwanda National Police has arrested Bishop Liliane Mukabadege after she lied officers, who were implementing the government directives meant to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, that she was going to give a talk-show on radio,” said RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera.
He added: “Police officers trailed her to the church in Kimisagara where she was instead going, where she was arrested and her vehicle impounded.”
“When a Police officer stops you, we advise you to avoid telling lies; when you violate the guidelines, you are answerable to it.”
CP Kabera warned that “whoever will be found not complying with the directives will be arrested, fined, and their automobiles impounded.”
He encouraged the public to report anyone violating the directives by calling the toll-free line 112 or text on Whatsapp 0788311155
On Saturday, the Ministry of Health in the Central African Republic announced the ninth person in the country had been diagnosed with Coronavirus.
CAR has expressed appreciation of Rwanda’s efforts and partnership in fighting the pandemic.
“The CAR Ministry of Health appreciates Rwanda Biomedical Center [RBC] in Kigali for the cooperation,” an official statement from CAR reads in part.
RBC Director General Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana has told IGIHE that there is a partnership between Rwanda, some EAC member states and CAR in the fight against coronavirus.
Early this year, Rwanda acquired laboratory technologies that facilitate the diagnosis of coronavirus from Robert Koch Institute for Disease Control and Prevention, German.
Different forms of support in strengthening technical capacity at Rwanda National Reference Laboratory were obtained from the United States and the World Health Organization.
Without mentioning the countries, Dr. Nsanzimana said there are countries in the EAC that Rwanda is supporting in testing for coronavirus.
Our troubles today are not anywhere near the pain and certainty with which Jesus, the Saviour, faced death in order to save me and you. Yes, He was certain He was going to die. And He was certain that His death was the only sure path to the eternal life of humankind.
He endured the mockery, the stripes, brutality and the callous indifference of the Pharisees that approved His death. He was shackled. With wry sarcastic and deriding smiles, they pierced His hands and feet; telling Him to call on His Father to rescue Him. He endured it all in humility to the end.
These hard times you experience, even during the Holly Week, should enable you explore who you are and your relationship with God.
So, my friend Kamanzi, l beckon you to take the humility that Jesus demonstrated during his last week on earth. Not for some time, but all the time. To the end.
Today it is not possible to commemorate Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Resurrection of Christ in conventional church buildings. But, maybe, God has a reason for letting us do so AT HOME. Is there any place better than a home? With all the earthly toils, where we put many man-hours in our work across geography (tens, hundreds, some times thousands of miles away ) and time (from morning to evening; from our youth to our evening hours), we eventually get back AT HOME.
And, my friend, remember those times when everything seems to be falling apart. A friend, before delving into giving you emotional and physical support, will tell you to feel AT HOME.
What am saying is this; maybe God has put a situation that forces us to make our homes become the church space in physical and spirit so that at the end of the hard times we will willingly take our homes to the church. I am made to believe that what we are now experiencing may contribute to our own ongoing journey as God’s people as we prepare to get AT HOME.
Kamanzi, the home in which you now mainly find yourself, offers you a place in which your faith can be discovered afresh, where you can find ‘the Church within’.
And, in symbol and in reality, when we are done with our work here on earth, we shall meet the Lord AT HOME. God is giving us to understand what it means being AT HOME. So let us rejoice in all situations, for there are many episodes that God brings before triumph. He brings a storm before serenity. He brings birth-pangs before delivery.
And am in agreement with messages that church leaders have sent forth.
The Anglican Church during these hard times has reminded us that: “As in the early days of our faith, public gatherings of Christians outside the home are [for now] forbidden. Nevertheless, we are finding ways to join in prayer and intention; to cry ‘Abba, Father’; and to recognize we are all buried with Christ by baptism into his death, that we might walk in newness of life. The present situation does not negate the joy we have been granted in the resurrection.”
And the Holy Pope, in his Holly Week message encourages love and generosity. “Let us try, if we can, to make the best use of this time: let us be generous; let us help those in need in our neighbourhood; let us look out for the loneliest people, perhaps by telephone or social networks; let us pray to the Lord for those who are in difficulty in Italy and in the world. Even if we are isolated, thought and spirit can go far with the creativity of love. This is what we need today: the creativity of love. This is what is needed today: the creativity of love.”
Kamanzi, let us humble ourselves and pray: “Father, we thank you for your unending Love. We pray for your unconditional healing. We thank you for keeping us AT HOME as we prepare ourselves to meet you one day AT HOME. We worship and adore you; now and forever. Amen.”
These actions were all guided by the “4 Healthy initiatives” set by StarTimes’ chairman Pang Xinxing: Healthy Environment, Healthy Mindset, Healthy Behavior, Healthy Body
{{Healthy environment}}
When the outbreak started, StarTimes chairman’s first concern was to protect StarTimes’ employees by creating a Healthy Environment.
As back as February, StarTimes developed and adopted internal guidelines to reduce the spreading risks among all offices across Africa and conducted employees’ training on how to protect themselves and their colleagues.
Since then, StarTimes has been providing a shuttle bus service to employees so they don’t have to take public transportation. The company is also planning to bring packs of face masks to distribute among employees and partners in Africa. In Zambia, StarTimes donated a batch of supplies and is planning similar donations in other countries.
{{Healthy Behavior}}
Once StarTimes employees were able to work in a healthy environment, the following step was to make sure that other people in Africa could be made aware of what is Healthy Behavior.
As soon as the outbreak started, rumors have been spreading, fake news have been circulating on social media and people have been acting irrationally. Fear and ignorance are the main dangers for communities. As a media group, it is StarTimes’ role to disseminate accurate and official information to help maintain required operation in society.
StarTimes’ employees have produced 30 short videos in 6 languages to raise awareness about the virus and to communicate about basic advice from the World Health Organization.
These videos are posted on Facebook and broadcast daily on TV. StarTimes also edited a set of 30 posters in 3 languages based on WHO advice aimed at raising awareness on the virus and at helping families to cope with the situation.
Through a better understanding of the virus and of the outbreak, people would adopt a Healthy Behavior, protecting themselves, their families and their community.
{{Healthy Mindset}}
Information is a weapon against the virus. The virus can be beaten. It has already been proved in China and it shall be witnessed around the world. People need hope, they need to know what others are going through, have been through to beat the outbreak. That is why StarTimes decided to produce the “StarTimes Daily —— COVID-19 Report”.
It shares, on a daily basis, world news, experience, testimonies, and advice in order to bring hope to people facing the pandemic. Produced in 6 languages it is broadcast on 12 channels and on StarTimes ON streaming app.
Already in Guinea and soon in other countries, StarTimes is sharing this program with local TV stations. So, hope can reach every household and people can keep a Healthy Mindset during the crisis.
Keeping a Healthy Mindset also means having children engaged while at home. Kids need to learn and to get entertained. StarTimes recently launched a new channel, Mindset Learn, and a new edutainment TV program on ST Kids called Home Schooling to keep the children stimulated. In Uganda and Kenya, StarTimes added new educational programs in partnership with local organizations.
{{Healthy Body}}
Lastly, as people stay home, they still need to live their life.
That starts by checking your health so nobody is put at risk. To help people know whether they need a medical examination, StarTimes launched the “COVID-19 Self-evaluation and Reference System” on StarTimes ON app as a pre-diagnosed system.
Through a series of questions, users can get advice on whether and how to take actions afterward, such as calling the helpline and be taken to the hospital. StarTimes is also about to launch a TV shopping platform that will provide a safe way to do shopping from home without the need to go out.
In the meantime, in some countries, StarTimes’ after-sales service has taken arrangements to keep operating and guarantee a high level of service during the crisis. The door-to-door service is operated by StarTimes engineers with sufficient protection, dubbed as “heroes on the front line”.
StarTimes also reinforced its online payment services so people can recharge directly from their home through third-party partners and StarTimes ON.
The StarTimes application has been opening its platform to subscribers, providing a hundred channels for free to users across Africa. By making sure people don’t have to leave home to get access to services, StarTimes is trying to protect families around the continent, helping them keep a Healthy Body.
Healthy Environment, Healthy Mindset, Healthy Behavior, Healthy Body. Through the “4 Healthy initiatives”, StarTimes’ chairman Pang Xinxing has pushed StarTimes to new heights to support Africa while facing this unprecedented pandemic.
StarTimes is the leading digital TV operator in Africa, serving 13 million DVB subscribers and 20 million OTT users with a signal covering the whole continent and a massive distribution network of 170+ brand halls and 30,000+ distributors in 37 countries.
StarTimes owns a featured content platform, with 600 authorized channels consisting of news, movies, series, sports, entertainment, children’s programs, etc. The company’s vision is “To ensure that every African family can access, afford, watch and share the beauty of digital TV”.
The four have been discharged after undergoing thorough tests that have established they no longer carried COVID-19 in their bodies.
The patients left the health center between 11.30 am and 12.05 pm, all looking healthy, putting on masks as prevention and safety measures.
Each of the four patients has been given a discharge certificate indicating that they have fully recovered from COVID-19.
Patient zero was identified in Rwanda by the Ministry of Health on 14th March 2020; an Indian citizen that had arrived in the country on 8th March 2020 from Mumbai.
The Ministry of Health on Saturday recorded 13 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total of diagnosed with the virus to 102. All the patients have been isolated in designated medical facilities, getting treatment, with no one in critical condition.
Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal, Kenyatta, Keita, Al Sissi, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia, Moussa Faki, African Union Commission Chairman and Dr Tedros, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General were also part of the meeting.
In a message posted via Twitter, President Kagame stated “We discussed the need for Africa to stand together,speak with one voice &work through our institutions to mobilize resources and harmonize the support from international partners.Thank you to initiatives by African institutions such as the African Development Bank and the Trade Finance Bank of Africa for their support.”
President Kagame thanked them for their commitment and contribution towards mitigating the health and economic impacts of COVID-19.
On April 3rd, 2020, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed commented on the conference call in a Twitter post which read “With updates on actions taken and challenges the continent faces, we discussed the need for collective leadership to circumvent the adverse effects of the #COVID19 crisis. A coordinated African approach is critical as we pursue economic responses with global partners.”
President Kagame recently held discussions with Kristalina Georgiva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Georgiva reiterated the IMF commitment to support African countries during the COVID-19 crisis and thanked President Kagame for his exemplary leadership.
“The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has approved a $109.4 million (Rwf 104 billion) disbursement to Rwanda to address the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic.”
IMF stated that economic impacts of the coronavirus are expected to deteriorate within the coming period and many countries will struggle to meet their fiscal and financial needs.
Currently, 89 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Rwanda while the number of patients has reached over a million globally. 58, 127 people died from the virus while 227,716 recovered.
