StarTimes Rwanda, the leading digital television operator in Rwanda, on Thursday 7th March signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SOS Children’s Village that will see the two organizations working together to support vulnerable families and children, emphasizing the empowerment of youth to have a fulfilling life.

The two-year agreement will see StarTimes support SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda in its noble cause of equipping youth with skills through technical and vocational training and mentorship, alongside providing access to digital television.

This comes as an initiative of StarTimes digital media following the keynote speech of Mr. Yuchang Jing, the Chief Executive Officer, and President during the Youth Connekt Africa Summit held in Rwanda in 2017, where he vowed to provide more job opportunities for young Africans and empower African youth.

During the signing of the memorandum the heads of the two organizations highlighted the significance of the partnership. "StarTimes believes youth are a valuable resource for the development of Africa. During our partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda, we will cooperate to empower young people through internship, placements, technical and vocational skills training, mentorship and employment opportunities for young people who are old enough to work. The partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda therefore is very strategic as we look forward to imparting knowledge and skills to the next generation of our leaders”, Mr Yuchang Jing said.

Mr. Jean Gakwaya, Board Chairman and Legal Representative of SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda, thanked StarTimes for joining the family and for their support. "We appreciate the partnership and we thank StarTimes. We appreciate this generous act and partnership because here at SOS Children’s Village we believe that it takes a lot to grow a child, this a life time investment”, he said.

SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda, one of the most recognized NGOs in Rwanda, started working in the country in 1979. They have four children villages located across the country and have been able to provide support to 4,322 children from 930 families. They will also benefit from media exposure on the StarTimes platform. One of the fifteen Children’s homes, Kigali Children’s Village, was offered a full digital television kit so that the children can have access to information as way of making their life complete.

StarTimes has been able to cover 90 percent of Rwanda and, being a part of Star Africa Media with operations in thirty African countries, is happy to celebrate 10 million customers across Africa including Rwanda.