Canal+ Rwanda on Friday last week donated foods items and hygiene materials to vulnerable mothers of children it supports through A-BATO, an organisation that promotes education for children to improve their lifestyle.
The activity was in line with the celebration of the annual International Women’s Day, which is observed on March 8.
According to Sophie Tchatchoua, Managing Director of Canal plus Rwanda, the event was part of the CSR activity of Canal+ International Group which mainly focuses on education, women and environment.
She said that they started working with A-BATO in September 2021 after the launch of a new TV channel, Nathan TV, the first French education channel in the continent introduced to help children comprehend much more of what they learn in school about different subjects taught in a friendly mechanism.
She revealed that prior to extending the initiative to Rwanda, Canal+ decided to pay school fees for 20 children who study under A-BATO and gave them different school materials and tools.
"We decided that it won't be the last initiative and should only be the first,” said Tchatchoua. "If children don’t have any food, they can't go to school. So, we are supporting them through education, but also with the first needs.”
The Managing Director also noted that Canal+ will keep consulting A-BATO so that they can fulfil the needs of children and their parents through a long-term partnership the company looks forward to establishing.
Clarisse Petit, Human Resources Director at Canal + International said the donation was part of their program, Onfree created to help people in African countries. According to her, it runs in 15 countries and is still expanding.
She added: "Canal Plus is a business company present in many countries in Africa. But we want, as it is done in Rwanda, to help people, not only for business, but also for education, for development of young children, but also for the development of women.”
Samuel Nzeyimana, Co-founder and Finance Officer of A-BATO said that their partnership with Canal+ has allowed 20 primary school students to study well, adding that they too wish to extend the partnership so that the children can also be supported in secondary schools.
Talking about the TV channel, Nathan TV, he said it is an amazing gift that is helping the student he leads to learn and speak French as well as be entertained.
He thanked Canal+ for joining their organisation to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) mothers, recognising the role they play in the education of their children.
Alphonsine Nyirahabimana, representative of the mothers said they are happy to receive the donations and for being celebrated as women, adding that with the materials they were given, they will be able to wash clothes for children, do dishes, clean their homes as well as cook food in dirt-free equipment.
She declared that since Canal+ started paying school fees for her child, he no longer comes home without a school report due to debt which she said has helped him prosper in his studies.
Canal+ Rwanda is a branch of Canal + International Group, a leader in the publishing of premium channels as well as distribution of pay television offers.
The group is experiencing strong growth with a major presence in European, African and Asian markets.