Bralirwa Plc, Rwanda’s leading beverage company, in partnership with The Coca-Cola Company yesterday donated garbage collection bins to secondary and vocational schools in Kicukiro District in a bid to promote awareness and actions to protect the environment.

In celebration of the World Environmental Day on June 5, under the theme of ‘Land Restoration Desertification and Drought Resilience’, and the slogan ‘Our Land, Our Future’, Bralirwa in close collaboration with Kicukiro District—under the partnership with The Coca-Cola Company—donated garbage collection bins to IPRC Kigali, Samuduha Integrated College, ESSA Nyarugunga, Kagarama Secondary School, and ES KANOMBE EFOTEC to promote a healthy and debris-free environment.

Through an event held at ES KANOMBE EFOTEC in Kigali, A’ Level students, including those from the school’s Environment Club, as well as invited guests from Kicukiro District and Rwanda Environment Management Authority, participated in school clean-up activities followed by engagement sessions on the importance of environmental stewardship.

This initiative will not only contribute to a cleaner environment but will also instill a sense of environmental responsibility among the youth, which is key for the future generations. Bralirwa is committed to environmental sustainability through its Brew a Better World strategy.

"Sustainability is at the core of our operations, and as a responsible company, we focus our efforts on reducing carbon emissions, promoting recycling, improving water circularity and waste management, as well as supporting community-based sustainable practices,” said Rosette Mutoni, Bralirwa Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication.

"We are committed to caring for people and the planet, and initiatives such as these are one of the ways to contribute to a healthier and more prosperous future for generations,” she added.

The headmistress of the school, Monica Tumukunde, thanked Bralirwa and The Coca-Cola Company for their generous donation to the school and said the initiative would not only help the school to maintain a cleaner and more hygienic environment, but would also set a wonderful example to the students about the importance of caring for their surroundings.

Donatien Murenzi, Division Manager for Kicukiro District, extended his gratitude to Bralirwa and The Coca-Cola Company for their invaluable support and encouraged the students to maintain the environment, emphasising that it is the youth’s responsibility to preserve it.

Speaking on behalf of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), Division Manager of Environmental Analytics, Eric Mudakikwa, commended the initiative and thanked all stakeholders for their joint efforts in raising awareness and celebrating the environmental restoration efforts in Rwanda over the past 30 years.

"Today, we celebrate the achievements made in Rwanda in the last 30 years, but also recognise that there is more to be done to preserve all efforts,” said Mudakikwa.