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The

newTimes
No. 5108 Kigali, Wednesday, December 4, 2019
EducationTimes
THE NEW TIMES VOL 291: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019
PLACE TO LEARN

ALSO INSIDE
Healthy holiday; Raising children to overcome challenges
No. 696 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018

eating strategies
create a spirit of hope that there
will be calmness even after the
storm. Encourage kids that such
a condition is normal but it will
not last forever.
would require the little ones to
think and give solutions. Kids
need to be involved in home
situations. Allow them to give
ideas on what is happening.

Provide children with prac- Teach prayer. Let the little

tice. Present obstacles that kids
can deal with; teach them how
to develop strategy; encourage
them to persist; and then make a
big deal of it when they succeed.
You can also involve children
with planning family events, the
pressure they will put in to make
things work, will teach them a
lesson.
See problems as opportuni-
ones know that with God’s
strength, they can make it,
therefore, they should be able
to pray always.
Lay a basis. Patience and hu-
mility are very important as
they help kids be prepared in
case of any obstacles.
Attitude matters. Kids need
to be told how to handle both

By Lydia Atieno ties. Kids should be told that

problems aren’t the end of the
road, rather, chances to incur
short and long term hardships.
For instance; if a child is disa-
bled, they should be motivat-

can result from bad eating habits.

I
Include children in situations that would require them to think and give solutions. Net photo. inner strength about the issue. ed to keep living positive and
If you do that, it will be a les- know that they are created in
By Joan Mbabazi lightened about this, the better problem will be solved. Other- son that they will carry on even God’s image. They also need

magine f Students are at home for the holiday, a The Demographic Health Survey carried out in 2010 prepared they will be to give it a wise, if all you show kids is per- when they grow. to be trained to care for peo-

long one in this case, and so parents are expect-
P
arents usually do their try, irrespective of the situation. fectionism, that is what they will ple with problems, offer help
best to provide and care Here are a few tips on how to grow up thinking, and when hard Give them the right tools. Im- to the sick or the disabled, and
part motivation, self-confidence, not mock them.
indicated that five per cent of children under five are
for their little ones, but if do so; times kick in, they will have no
perseverance, faith, the strength

Price: RWF700, USHS1,500, KSHS100, FBU1,400

asked, how many prepare these idea how to handle it. Kids need

Rwanda’s LEADING Daily

children for future challenges? Lead by example. When there to experience all situations, the of character, sound judgment, Problems are ways to grow
What would your answer be? happens to be a problem at good and the bad. and experience in solving small strong. It is pretty obvious that

ed to take full charge in different aspects; that is,
obese. The world is no place for the soft-
hearted, it needs people that are
home, find means of explaining
to children in a way they can un- Stay positive. However tough
problems.

ready to take risks to reach suc-
derstand. However, show them
Facilitate solution-oriented
after a child trying their best to
fight any problem, they will be
stronger the next time it hap-
the situation is, whether sick-

monitoring what they do and what they eat, among However, in 2015, the latest statistic, it showed that cess. The earlier the kids are en- that through certain means, the ness, lack of money, or worse, conversations. While together
as a family, bring situations that
pens.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com

other things. this figure rose to eight per cent in that particular age Experiment corner! The young crab and his mother Story corner!
Many students complain about the food in schools group. Vinegar pops
and use the holiday to make up for it, stuffing them- Dr Alex Mucumbitsi, the head of the nutrition and
selves with all sorts of junk, like burgers and fries. hygiene department at the National Early Child-
However, experts warn that they shouldn’t forget hood Development Program, says teaching children
about nutrition, as a poor diet could lead to health healthy eating habits is key to avoiding obesity.
complications. He notes that adolescent and even adult obesity Materials:
• Ice tray
How it works:
When you have an acid (vinegar) and a base

It’s easy for parents to pamper their children with the
continues to be a serious problem worldwide.
• Vinegar
• Food colouring (optional)
• Baking soda
(baking soda) mixed together there is a chemical
reaction. That chemical reaction releases carbon
dioxide and results in the bubbling.

fast food they crave, but, at what cost? Instructions:

• Fill up ice tray with vinegar. Add food colour if
Extra experiments:
If you did try it with food colouring, try doing it

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
O
you desire. without it and vice versa.

Obesity is one of the biggest health problems that • Put ice tray in freezer for four to six hours.
• Pop out your Vinegar Pops and dip them in a
plate of baking soda.
• Wait a few minutes and watch the bubbling
begin.
Add popsicle sticks to the ice trays when you ne day, a young crab
freeze the vinegar. Does it work better, worse, or and his mother were
the same? on the beach, spending
Try doing the experiment with citric acid in- some time together. The young
stead of vinegar. Some examples of citric acid
crab gets up to move, but it can
would be lemon or lime juice.
Agencies only walk sideways. His mother
scolds him for walking sideways
and asks him to walk forward
by pointing his toes out front.
The young crab responds, “I
would like to walk forward
mom, but I do not know how
to.”
Hearing this, his mom gets up
to show him how, but even she
is unable to bend her knees for-
ward. She realises that she was
being unfair, apologises sheep-
ishly, and sits back in the sand.
Moral of the story: Don’t
condemn someone for not
doing something that you
yourself are unable to do.
Agencies

LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw

Water tariffs could rise

amidst heavy floods
By Michel Nkurunziza

Water tariffs in Kigali city Mrs Kagame commends new cervical cancer prevention programme
could rise if flooding of Nyabar-
ongo River, occasioned by heavy
rains, persists, Water and Sanita-
tion Corporation (WASAC) has
warned.
The warning comes after Nyabar-
ongo River upper catchments
experienced heavy flooding last
week, disrupting activity at Nzove
water treatment plant and reduc-
ing its production by nearly a half,
WASAC said.
First Lady Jeannette
turn to page 4 Kagame has
commended a new
programme that
Regional lawmaker will provide cervical
cancer prevention
roots for access to to women aged

essential medicines between 30-49.

The First Lady says
that cervical cancer
is preventable and
called for more
efforts to fight it.
Photo: Emmanuel
Kwizera.
Page 8 STORY ON PAGE 5.
2 the new TIMES
No. 5 1 0 8 W e d n e s d ay, DE C E m B E R 4, 2019 news

TODAY’S WEATHER District Morning Tempo Afternoon Tempo Reader feedback Email: editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Kigali City Rain Min. 16oC Rain & Thunder Max. 24oC Niyonkuru is the new Deputy CEO replacing @
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Inside Parents welcome discarding Kinyarwanda

Local entrepreneurs
tipped on quality,
competitiveness
The chief executive of Rwanda
Development Board (RDB), Clare
Akamanzi, has challenged local
entrepreneurs to improve the com-
petitiveness of their products, argu-
ing that for a product to be made in
Rwanda is not enough for people to
buy it. P4
as primary school language of instruction
A teacher delivers a lesson to pupils of SOS Children Village Kacyiru. Photo: S. Ngendahimana.
By Lavie Mutanganshuro
Different stakeholders in the edu-
cation sector have welcomed the move
by the Ministry of Education to rescind a
But the directive had faced resistance,
especially in private schools and had
hardly been implemented, despite being
in place for four years.
“We are very impressed by the ad-
to choose whether their children could
continue with the national curriculum
or go for Cambridge programme in the
2020-2021 year of study.
Cambridge Assessment International
Education is the world’s largest provider
of international education programmes
and qualifications for 5 to 19-year-olds.
Schools like Kigali Parents School had
actually introduced the Cambridge pro-
gramme that would run parallel with
the national curriculum starting next
academic year to offer parents an al-
ternative to the exclusive instruction in
Kinyarwanda.
However, for parents like Jackline Mu-
kamunana, who have a child at Kigali
Parents School and had already enlisted
her primary three daughter into the new
programme, there was a risk of schools
that are allowed to run the programme
increasing fees due to overwhelming
numbers.  
“Many parents, including me, had cho-
sen Cambridge programme because we
want our children to be competitive by
knowing several languages at a young
age,” Mukamunana told The New Times.

Most read on the web recent policy directive that instruction be

1. Congolese army kills
another anti-Rwanda
militia leader
2. Prosecute Twagiramungu,
Belgium urged
3. Govt makes U-turn on
Kinyarwanda as medium of
instruction in schools
4. The African pilgrimage in
Rwanda
5. Genetically modified foods
unnecessary for now,
former Ethiopian Premier
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
exclusively done in Kinyarwanda for the
first three years of education.
The latest change, that concerns lower
primary classes (primary one to primary
three), was announced on December 2,
during a consultative meeting between
the education ministry and legal repre-
sentatives of private primary schools.
Besides the legal representatives, the
meeting was also attended by head
teachers from the same schools.
This new policy, which now instructs all
public and private schools to use English
as the language of instruction through-
out primary school, will come into effect
at the start of the 2020-2021 academic
year.
Instruction in Kinyarwanda in lower
primary school came into force in 2015
as part of the competency-based cur-
riculum, which required schools – public
and private – to teach other languages as
subjects.
justment, which is very positive to us,
parents and children as well,” Charles
Mutazihana, Principal of Kigali Parents
School, told The New Times.
He added: “It wouldn’t have been easy
for us and children to abruptly switch
from the medium of instruction we were
familiar with.”
Some parents say that the change will
benefit more the learners by opening
them to better opportunities in the fu-
ture, saying that Kinyarwanda will al-
ways be taught as a subject and spoken
at home.
“The move came as an answer to our
concerns as parents; we had been con-
fused about what to do because our chil-
dren were to be victims of the change,”
said William Bundungu, a parent whose
son is in lower primary.
Alternative curriculum
In response to the change, some pri-
vate schools had proposed to parents
She also noted that: “We appreciated
the decision because, though the Cam-
bridge programme would be better, it
would in the future lead to increased
school fees; a burden to parents.”
Some teachers also express relief hav-
ing previously feared possible loss of
jobs.
Théogène Nshimiyimana, a teacher in
lower primary classes at Ecole Sainte
Angeline les pigeons, said that: “As
teachers, we were happy after learn-
ing of the changes, because some of us
would have lost our jobs as a result of
using Kinyarwanda as the medium of
instruction.”
He added: “This is so because some
parents had decided to take their chil-
dren to schools that offer international
curriculum, which would have forced
some of our schools to close shop or re-
duce on the number of teachers.”
editor@newtimesrwanda.com

LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
News
How community-based innovations
are leading the HIV/AIDS fight
By Julius Bizimungu
The global health community
needs to scale-up innovative in-
terventions and collaborations
with product development part-
nerships to bring life-saving so-
lutions in the battle to end HIV/
AIDS.
That is a case that many health
activists have been making.
Yet few parts of the world, espe-
cially in Africa still have limited
access to the new innovations,
despite having high levels of HIV
infections.
The World Health Organisation
(WHO) indicates that there were
an estimated 1.7 million new HIV
infections around the world last
year, and nearly 65 per cent of
those were in Africa.
Moreover, experts point out
that there are tens of potentially
transformative innovations in the
pipeline that need to be taken to
the next level.
Dr Ade Fakoya, a Senior Disease
Coordinator at the Global Fund,
says innovations driving the war
against HIV are not necessar-
ily complex science innovations,
but small community-driven ser-
vices.
“There are a lot of innovations
in science but often people forget
about those innovations in ser-
vices delivery, like engaging key
population groups. Those differ-
entiated services are making real
impact,” he says.
The Global Fund recently con-
cluded its second round of mobil-
ising funds in which $14 billion
was raised from donors.
Fakoya says such funds will be
directed towards innovative com-
munity solutions, highlighting an
example of supporting efforts
aimed at rolling out HIV self-
testing kits to rural communities
and marginalised groups.
Here are some innovations dif-
ferent players and countries have
adopted to fight against HIV/
AIDS.
Government-led innovations
In Rwanda, the Government
has taken the lead to work with
different partners to distribute
health services to different peo-
ple.
Jules Mugabo, the WHO Na-
tional Professional Officer in
Rwanda, says his organisa-
tion works with the Ministry of
Health to ensure that HIV testing
services are rolled out at different
levels.
LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
Community Health Workers during a presentation of a report on the fight against HIV/AIDS at Mayange Health Centre
yesterday. Photo: Craish Bahizi.
“Currently, HIV testing services
are available in all public and pri-
vate health facilities and we do
provide services in the commu-
nity outreach programmes,” he
notes, adding that Rwanda also
adopted ‘Index Testing’ as one of
the strategies to create awareness
about the epidemic.
Perhaps that is why the coun-
try has been able to achieve sig-
nificant progress in fighting HIV/
AIDS.
Today, over 90 per cent of all
people living with HIV in Rwan-
da know their status and almost
all of them are on life-saving
treatment. Of those, 90 per cent
have achieved viral suppression.
The country has also adopted
other strategic interventions that
have enabled 91 per cent of the
citizens get covered by health
insurance, while 99 per cent of
pregnant women are tested for
HIV.
On the other hand, 95 per cent
of the kids in the country are fully
vaccinated.
Index case testing is when an
HIV positive person (index case)
is asked to contact family mem-
bers (children, spouse, sexual
partners, siblings, and parents)
to establish their HIV status.
It is becoming one of the com-
mon approaches countries are
adopting to help people know
their status.
Dr Aliyu Gambo, the Director
General at the National Agency
for the Control of AIDS in Nigeria
highlights index testing as one of
No. 5108
the approaches his country is tak-
ing to increase the level of aware-
ness among citizens.
That is in addition to the po-
litical leadership his country has
taken to support different popu-
lation groups championing the
HIV fight efforts and putting in
place various prevention initia-
tives.
“Recently, 10,000 primary
healthcare centres were renovat-
ed, equipped and provided with
human resources to provide basic
healthcare for all including HIV
testing for pregnant women,” he
reveals.
His government is also support-
ing annual treatment of people
living with HIV, strengthening
data reporting of prevention ac-
tivities, and integrated nutrition
services into HIV services.
Indeed, Winnie Byanyima, the
Executive Director at UNAIDS,
argues that governments have
Dr Ade Fakoya. ‘There are a
lot of innovations in science
but often people forget
about those innovations
in services delivery, like
engaging key population
groups. Those differentiated
services are making real
impact’
the new TIMES
W e d n e s d ay, DE C E m B E R 4 , 20 1 9
every reason to invest in HIV
fight, saying that there is a pre-
vention crisis and the world is not
doing enough.
“We are not doing enough, we
are losing the battle and this can’t
be right. Governments must put
resources, donors must put re-
sources to the people in need.
There is a crisis of resourcing,”
she notes.
To put her argument in context,
the world had set out to achieve
500,000 new HIV infections a
year by next year, but today there
are 1.7 million infections.
Countries had also targeted to
achieve less than 500,000 HIV
deaths per year, but the num-
ber is currently at more than
700,000 deaths annually.
Byanyima’s call to action to gov-
ernments and donors is quite the
same message that civil society
organisations (CSO) and other
foundations are spreading to halt
the AIDS epidemic.
The role of Foundations
Christine Stegling, the Execu-
tive Director at Frontline Aids
– largest global CSO working on
AIDS – insists that “We should
remind the world that we are in a
crisis mode.”
The organisation unveiled its
global plan of action 2020-2025,
highlighting 10 actions to priori-
tise to help the world secure a fu-
ture free of AIDS.
The plan, which was launched
on Tuesday at the International
Conference on AIDS and STIs in
3
Africa (ICASA), sets out the char-
ity’s commitment to focusing
resources and expertise towards
the most marginalised people.
Stegling says her organization
already works with marginalized
communities in countries like
Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Cote
d’Ivoire and Senegal, providing
HIV prevention services.
“We are doing education and
outreach in communities. We
have learnt that those that are
hardest to reach are best reached
by their own communities,” she
notes.
The organisation is currently
bringing testing services and in-
formation around HIV and vul-
nerability issues of infections to
communities using local that the
masses understand.
“We are also providing con-
doms and lubricants to marginal-
ized communities. Communities
really have to be an integral part
of a bigger health system,” she
says.
Marginalized communities like
gay people, sex workers or wom-
en who are in abusive relation-
ships, Stegling argues that they
are often not reached by govern-
ment services.
“We are providing those servic-
es that are bridging those bridges
between communities and gov-
ernment services.”
The UNAIDS indicates that the
majority of global infections in
2018 were among key popula-
tions and their sexual partners,
with 54 per cent of newly infec-
tions coming from marginalized
societies.
Reverend Johannes Petrus in-
sists that if nothing is done to
have engagements with those
people, the world is going no-
where, a role which he says re-
ligion, in some parts, has taken
upon themselves.
“We should preach that all hu-
man beings have equal value.
That’s a religious statement,” he
notes.
Kali Lindsey at John AIDS
Foundation also shares similar
sentiments, indicating that there
is a need to drive resources to the
people.
“We provide (financial) resourc-
es to sex workers organisations
and other communities that are
disproportionately affected with
HIV. It is something we believe
other foundations can replicate,”
he notes.
jbizimungu@newtimesrwanda.com
4 the new TIMES
No. 5 1 0 8 W e d n e s d ay, DE C E m B E R 4, 2019 news

Local entrepreneurs tipped known for their quality, reliabil-

ity and durability at both domes-
tic and international markets. It
is, therefore, important that the

on quality, competitiveness
By Glory Iribagiza
The chief executive of Rwan-
da Development Board (RDB),
Clare Akamanzi, has challenged
local entrepreneurs to improve
the competitiveness of their
products, arguing that for a prod-
uct to be made in Rwanda is not
enough for people to buy it.
She was speaking in Kigali on
Tuesday at the inaugural Nation-
al Business Forum (NBF) organ-
ised by Private Sector Federation.
“Would a person buy a product
made in Rwanda, just because it
is made in Rwanda? Definitely
no! We derive a lot of pride in
being able to make things in
Rwanda and to be able to live
those goals in the country… it is a
source of a lot of pride. But when
it comes to quality, patriotism is
not enough,” she said.
Akamanzi further explained
that the products to be branded
nationally and internationally,
they should be competitive in
terms of quality and standards.
Private Sector Federation chief executive Stephen Ruzibiza addresses delegates The Chief Executive Officer of
at the launch of the National Business Forum. Photo: Sam Ngendahimana. the National Agriculture Export
Development Board (NAEB), Bill
Kayonga, explained that quality
and consistency should go hand
in hand.
“Out there, Rwanda has be-
come increasingly associated
with quality, getting things done,
having a clean environment. In
whatever we do, we really have
to focus on quality. And there are
quite a number of factors that
also determine that.”
At the market out there, he ex-
plained, consumers want consis-
tency in the production of qual-
ity.
Among other topics, the NBF
discussions revolved around
raising the competitiveness of
local products, mindset change,
building the brand for locally
manufactured products as well
as investing in research, develop-
ment and innovation for sustain-
able economic gains.
According to the CEO of Private
Sector Federation (PSF), Ste-
phen Ruzibiza, Made-in-Rwanda
products should be defined by
high quality.
“Rwandan products should be
product-reality reflects expecta-
tions on quality.”
According to Ruzibiza, 98 per
cent of local firms are SMEs, and
a firm that started in 2010 only
had a 24 per cent chance of sur-
viving until 2014.
However, he said, Rwanda is
among the top 100 most com-
petitive nations in the world, cit-
ing the 2018 edition of the Global
Competitiveness Report of the
World Economic Forum.
“Central focus should be on re-
ducing the cost of production,
skills development and labour
productivity, special economic
zones growth, access to finance,
improve access to factors of pro-
duction, and streamlining logis-
tics,” he said.
The Minister for Trade and In-
dustry, Soraya Hakuziyaremye,
promised the private sector more
support from the Government.
“The Government of Rwanda
will continue to support local in-
dustries,” she said. “New policies
such as the Entrepreneurship
Development Policy and the In-
dustrial Policy are being devel-
oped to accelerate investments
of industries producing Made in
Rwanda.”
The NBF will be held annually.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com

Water tariffs could rise amidst heavy floods

From page 1
This has caused a shortage of water supply
in parts of Kigali.
The plant, which produces 1950 cubic
meter per hour, treats water from Nyabar-
ongo River.
Due to flooding, WASAC says, the plant
now produces 1050 m3 per hour, 50 per
cent of its capacity.
The floods, usually characterised by soil
erosion from agricultural activities, ar-
tisanal mining zones and un-tarmacked
roads in surrounding areas affects Nyabar-
ongo River.
Aimé Muzola, the Chief Executive Officer
of WASAC, told The New Times that if the
problem continues, it will increase the cost
of treating water.
“The high cost of treating muddy water
could increase water tariffs,” he said.
This comes after prediction by Rwanda
Meteorology Agency in September this
year suggested that due to high rainfall,
most parts of the country would experi-
ence flooding, which it warned would af-
fect infrastructure, including hydropower
and water treatment plants.
“Due to heavy rain last weekend, we are
experiencing a problem of turbidity at
Nzove water treatment plant. As (an) effect
we can't treat water as usual. This problem
Residents of Bumbogo Sector in Gasabo District queue for water during a recent shortage. Photo: File.
affects water supply for a big part of (the)
City of Kigali,” WASAC said in a tweet.
This is the second time the Nyabarongo
River is flooding in a space of four months.
The same issue happened in September
this year, causing water shortages in many
parts of the city.
WASAC warned that areas likely to be af-
fected include Nyarutarama, Kibagabaga,
Bumbogo, Gihogere, Rukiri, Ruturusu,
Nyagatovu, Nyabisindu, Bibare, Rwimbo-
go, and Gasaraba.
Although the situation was normalising,
there was need for a long term solution to
control flooding of Nyabarongo River, Mu-
zola said.
“Because Nyabarongo upstream and
catchments are not protected enough
against erosion, soil and mud are washed
away by flooding into Nyabarongo River
which becomes too muddy. This hampers
water treatment plant turbidity as it loses
capacity to continue treating water. This
requires joint efforts to seek long-term so-
lution,” he said.
Sometimes they are forced to switch off
the plant for about two hours a day, he said.
“But because we have other different
sources of water supply such as Kanzenze,
all areas are not affected at the same time,”
Muzola added.
Floods have also halted activity in water
treatment and hydropower plants in other
parts of the country.
For instance, two power plants, Gisenyi
and Gihira in Rubavu District are often
affected due to flooding around Sebeya
River.
Gihira treatment plant, which produces
8,000 cubic meters of water every day, is
also vulnerable to erosion, sometimes forc-
ing it to suspend activity for five hours ev-
ery day.
The plant reportedly loses an average of
Rw20 million every heavy rainy season.
Meanwhile, Muzola said that they have
temporary solutions to limit the shortage
of water supply although he added that
long-term solutions are needed.
“We have reservoirs that supply water
when there is no water from the treatment
plant,” he noted. “But when there is delay
in normalising the situation water from
reservoirs can get exhausted and some ar-
eas can be affected.”
WASAC says that it is building more wa-
ter reservoirs in Kicukiro, Busanza and
Gasanze to cushion the city against further
shortages.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com
LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
news
Mrs Kagame commends new cervical
cancer prevention programme
A delegate makes a point during the Effective Partnership for Cervical Cancer Prevention
conference in Kigali yesterday. Photo: Emmanuel Kwizera.
By Hudson Kuteesa
The First Lady of Rwanda, Mrs Jean-
nette Kagame, has commended a new pro-
gramme that will provide cervical cancer
prevention options to women aged between
30-49, that have not had a chance to get
vaccinated against the Human Papilloma
Virus, when they were younger.
Set to commence in January next year, the
new programme will complement the exist-
ing efforts that have mainly been focusing
on getting young girls (mainly 12-year-old)
vaccinated against cervical cancer as well as
screening services and treatment for older
women.
The new project is set to give mass preven-
tive treatment to women, in the targeted
age group, mainly in the form of treatment
of precancerous lesions (early cancer signs)
to prevent them from developing into inva-
sive cancer.
According to Dr François Uwinkindi, the
Director of Cancer Programme at Rwanda
Biomedical Centre, this kind of treatment is
one of the two ways used in cervical cancer
prevention.
“In cervical cancer prevention there are
two ways: there is primary prevention
which is avoiding contact with the Human
Papilloma Virus. Vaccination is one of the
things done in primary prevention, as well
as avoiding sexual activity especially for
young girls who are under 18 years,” he said.
The other preventive way, he said, is treat-
ing precancerous lesions.
“This is when you are screened for cervical
cancer and you are found with precancer-
ous lesions, and you are given treatment so
that it will not develop into invasive cancer,”
he explained.
The new project is a two and a half year
partnership between the Ministry of Health,
the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)
and the International Drug Purchase Facil-
ity (UNITAID).
It will use new technologies to improve ac-
cess to screening of cervical cancer.
It will be rolled out in five districts of the
country for the beginning - as a pilot project.
Under the project, medical facilities will
receive mobile testing and treatment equip-
ment as well as training for local care pro-
viders.
Up to 72,000 women are expected to be
LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
No. 5108
the new TIMES
W e d n e s d ay, DE C E m B E R 4 , 20 1 9 5
screened for cervical cancer across the five
districts including Gatsibo, Nyamasheke,
Musanze, Huye and Nyarugenge, with plans
to scale it up to other parts of the country.
Rwanda is among high burden cervical
cancer countries with an incident rate of
31.9 per 100,000 women and a mortality
rate of 24.1 for every 100,000 last year.
1,304 new cases of cervical cancer were
registered in 2018, and 921 deaths were
registered.
Speaking at an event yesterday, that
brought together the Ministry of Health,
UNITAID, Clinton Health Access Initia-
tive, among other partners, the First Lady
Delightful
of Rwanda, Mrs Jeannette Kagame, com-
mended the program as she reminded her
audience that cervical cancer is preventable
and called for more efforts to fight it.
“This highly preventable disease, which
benefits
touches on a sensitive aspect of women’s
health, is one that deserves more atten-
tion, as it has been the subject of misguided
views that turned out to be detrimental to
the early detection, and prevention,” she
said.
Angeline Usanase, a cervical cancer survi- Enjoy a privileged discount of 20% at
vor, weighed in on the importance of testing
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Usanase, 67, was diagnosed with cervical
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“It is good that we have a Government that
has shown us light about this cancer. Back
in the day, people could think that such a
disease is as a result of witchcraft but now
many people are getting to know what it is.”
Last year, there were an estimated 18.1
million new cancer cases and 9.5 million
cancer deaths were estimated worldwide.
The number increased from 14.1 million
new cases and 8.2 million deaths in 2012.
Cervical cancer is the top fourth affecting
women globally, contributing to 6.6 per
cent of all cancers in women. As it is the  3227 |  @imbankrw |  @imbankrwanda
case with many other diseases, cervical can- imbank.com/rwanda
cer disproportionately affects the poorest
populations. Terms & conditions apply
hkuteesa@newtimesrwanda.com
6 THE NEW TIMES
No. 5 1 0 8 W E D N E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 4, 2019
Editorial
The
NewTimes
Severe weather is back,
heed Meteo warnings
IN SEPTEMBER, the Rwanda Meteorology
Agency (RMA) warned that some parts of
the country could experience heavy rains
and floods through end of 2019, urging
residents in those areas to take precau-
tionary measures.
In particular, the agency predicted that
the northern, western and southern re-
gions would record the highest rainfall
over the three-month period.
It called on concerned government insti-
tutions, community organisations, farm-
ers and other stakeholders to take appro-
priate action beforehand.
Two months on and the City of Kigali
faces water scarcity and potential rises in
water tariffs following last week’s floods
in an around the Nyabarongo River upper
catchments, according to Water and Sani-
tation Corporation (WASAC).
WASAC attributes this to subsquent dis-
ruption of activity at Nzove water treat-
ment plant and subsequent reduction in
production levels. Yet this is a recurrent
problem, raising concerns as to whether
institutions take RMA warnings seriously.
On Tuesday, the meteorology agency is-
sued yet another warning: the rains could
get even worse. It said some parts of the
country could experience rainfall as high
as 20mm-60mm on Tuesday night, cau-
tioning residents in areas that are most
prone to flooding and landslides to take
great care.
Official figures indicate that as many as
70 people died from disasters across the
country during the first three quarters of
this year, while 177 others sustained inju-
ries during the same period.
Last year was even worse, with disasters
claiming the lives of some 234 people and
injuring 268 others.
While disasters are natural phenomena
and are in most cases unavoidable, it is im-
perative that we always take precautionary
measures to minimise losses. This applies
both in the short term and long term.
It’s about time all concerned institutions
and citizens took weather warnings seri-
ously and act accordingly.
A PUBLICATION OF
THE NEW TIMES PUBLICATIONS LTD
P.O. Box 4953, Kigali
Tel. Editorial: +250 (0) 780303436
Tel. Marketing: +250 (0) 782859324
E-mail: editor@newtimesrwanda.com
Website: www.newtimes.co.rw
© A L L R I G H TS R E S E RV E D
HOW can you fight a problem
you cannot see? Such is the
insidious nature of substan-
dard and falsified medicines
which are difficult to detect
with the naked eye and can
easily slip into the fractured
pharmaceutical supply chain
in low-and middle-income
countries (LMIC).
Weak detection methods
coupled with lenient legisla-
tion and vast profits of up to
US $200 billion make fake
medicines the perfect crime.
In 2018, the Rwanda Food
and Drugs Authority (RFDA)
issued an alert that fake
medicines used to prevent
postpartum haemorrhage
had infiltrated the pharma-
ceutical supply chain causing
a public outcry.
Rwanda has made signifi-
cant strides in halving ma-
ternal deaths in just under
a decade, but as poor qual-
ity and fake medicines make
their way into Rwanda, this
threatens to put more moth-
ers at risk.
With 1 in 10 medicines
in LMICs estimated to be
of poor-quality or fake, it
is alarmingly more com-
mon than suspected. Every
year, 250,000 children are
thought to die ‘just’ from
falsified malaria and pneu-
monia medications, however
the real number will almost
certainly be much higher.
One way to stay ahead of
the criminals is to ensure
regulatory systems are fit for
purpose. This is just one part
of a complex issue.
A systematic approach is
required to address the ubiq-
uity of falsified medical prod-
ucts, from amending laws to
allow for the arrest of crimi-
nal gangs accompanied with
serious jail time, to increas-
ing the current low levels of
general public awareness.
Key to the fight against fal-
sified medicines are pharma-
cists. As medication experts,
pharmacists are well-posi-
tioned to educate patients on
safe ways to purchase medi-
cines and to report treatment
failure or suspicious side ef-
fects.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces
FAKE DRUGS Oksana Pyzik & Flandrie Habyarimana
Winning the fight against fake
medicines starts with education
the greatest burden of fake
medicines with 42% of re-
ports originating from the
continent. Just last month,
authorities in Tanzania
seized fake drugs worth
thousands of dollars.
Despite the tenuous situa-
tion along the border, Rwan-
da is emerging as a leader
in Africa around medicines
quality assurance. There are
three main reasons for this.
First, the Rwandan govern-
ment purchases high-risk
drugs, such as those for tu-
berculosis, solely from man-
ufacturers approved by the
World Health Organisation
(WHO).
Secondly, it has also pro-
hibited their sale through
private pharmacies and in-
stead distributes them exclu-
sively through the public sec-
tor supply chain to hospitals.
In July 2018, the country
also set up the Rwanda Food
and Drugs Authority to regu-
late pharmaceutical products
and vaccines and to ensure
high quality through an array
of new regulatory measures.
These measures have
helped to ensure greater
medicines quality yet fakes
still find their way onto the
market. Since November
2018, the Rwanda FDA has
recalled 21 batches of medi-
cines due to poor quality, and
8 batches were quarantined
and are still under investiga-
tion.
Porous borders and a lack
of co-operation between
neighbouring countries
OP/EDITORIAL
make it difficult to track all
medicines that circulate in
the country. The ratification
of the treaty to set up the
African Medicines Regula-
tory Agency by the Rwandan
government in July, marks a
crucial first step in improving
regional cooperation.
Strengthening and invest-
ing in regulatory systems is
vital but further training of
health care professionals is
required for earlier detec-
tion. The WHO data shows
that healthcare profession-
als have the lowest rate of
reporting falsified medicines.
Yet pharmacists are of-
ten the first port of call for
patients seeking medical
advice. Here is a missed op-
portunity for pharmacists to
educate patients about the
dangers of purchasing medi-
cines from unregulated mar-
kets, such as street bazaars,
online or other unlicensed
vendors.
In both high-income and
LMIC settings, pharmacy
curricula often do not include
the issue of fake medicines
in compulsory modules. An
analysis of national pharma-
cy curricula in six developing
countries found that none
specifically mentioned train-
ing in falsified medicines.
The WHO has responded
by partnering with the In-
ternational Pharmaceutical
Federation and the Com-
monwealth Pharmacists As-
sociation to develop and pilot
falsified pharmacy curricula
across five African univer-
sities. This is an important
step, but we need to do much
more.
Optimising pharmacists’
skillset and knowledge of fal-
sified medicines has shown
to have a profound positive
impact on patient’ safety.
Governments, together with
Job seekers listen to
representatives of
different institutions
during a job
networking event
at Kigali cultural
village yesterday.
Sam Ngendahimana.
regulatory bodies, pharma-
cists and universities, need
to work together to identify
pharmacy training needs and
opportunities to upskill the
pharmaceutical workforce.
Ultimately, while phar-
macists are the medicines
experts, we all have a role to
play in fighting fake medi-
cines.
Here’s how you can bring
the issue of fake medicines to
your community:
Ask your local pharmacist
questions about where your
purchased medicines come
from and how to differenti-
ate between a fake and an
authentic medicine.
As a reader join thousands
of pharmacists, doctors,
nurses, patient advocates
and business leaders around
the world for Fight the Fakes
Week (2-8 December) and
spread the word about the
dangers of fake and substan-
dard medicines on your per-
sonal social media accounts.
Oksana Pyzik, Senior
Teaching Fellow and Global
Engagement Lead, University
College London (UCL) and
founder of UCL Fight the
Fakes and Flandrie Habyari-
mana, R.Ph President of the
Rwanda Community Phar-
macists Union (RCPU) and
Eastern & Southern Africa
Regional Representative at
the Commonwealth Pharma-
cists Association (CPA)
The views expressed in this
article are of the authors.
LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
COMMENTARY
KIGALI – It is safe to say without
any fear of contradiction that the
future is very African. The num-
bers speak for themselves. Over 50
per cent of Africans are under the
age of 20.
This means that by 2050, four
out of ten workers in the world will
be from Africa and that underlines
the premise that the future is very
African.
A large population presents op-
portunities to market goods and
services as there is an increase in
demand, this then stimulates in-
vestments and output production
leading to job creation and income
per head.
According to the United Na-
tions Office of the Special Adviser
on Africa (UN-OSAA), while this
demographic presents great op-
portunities, it presents risks such
as unemployment and underem-
ployment, lack of social security,
lack of educational opportunities
and inclusive governance, which
LONDON – In 2007, Harvard Uni-
versity economists Claudia Goldin
and Lawrence F. Katz published The
Race Between Education and Tech-
nology. America’s once-great educa-
tion system, Goldin and Katz argued,
was failing to keep pace with techno-
logical change and the economic dis-
parity that comes with it. Even more
concerning, they would likely make
the same argument today. As we en-
ter the third decade of this century,
students in the United States and
around the world are struggling to
get an education that prepares them
for a rapidly changing workplace.
Technology is clearly winning the
race between man and machine. The
current wave of technological change
is affecting every industry, requiring
skills that are far more advanced and
diverse than what was expected of
workers just a generation ago. With
demand for high-skilled labor out-
pacing supply, a global elite of highly
educated, highly paid professionals
has emerged, leading increasingly
insulated lives. Worse, access to basic
education is still being denied to the
bulk of school-age children in devel-
oping countries, and a university-lev-
LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
EMPOWERMENT Jane Mwangi
The future is African; time to get ready for it
can drive youth to informal or even
criminal activities.
To ensure that the future remains
African, we have to tackle the youth
poverty. Even though we can link
this to youth unemployment, we
have to accept that under-employ-
ment and lack of decent working
conditions also plays a big role.
According to a report published by
the International Labour Organisa-
tion on Youth employment in Af-
rica, of the 38.1 per cent estimated
total working poor in sub-Saharan
Africa, young people account for
23.5 per cent.
This report further suggests that
many workers in Africa find them-
selves having to take unattractive
jobs that tend to be insecure and
are characterised by low pay and
little or no access to social protec-
tion and rights.
At 94.9 per cent, insecure employ-
ment is the main source of employ-
ment for Africa youth.
As a financier, KCB established
the KCB Foundation in 2007 to
implement the Group’s Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) pro-
grams for sustainable development
and poverty reduction; focusing on
SMEs, women and youth.
Further to this, we incorporated
four Sustainable Development
Goals as adopted by all United Na-
TECH Gordon Brown & Anant Agarwal
Closing the education-technology gap
el education lies far beyond the reach
of millions around the world. We es-
timate that even in 2040, only 25 per
cent of the world’s adult population
will have secondary education quali-
fications or degrees and that a higher
percentage, 27 per cent, will either
have had no schooling at all or at best
an incomplete primary education.
This divide between an education-
rich elite with university degrees and
the education-poor is thus likely to
deepen, exacerbating within-country
inequalities. Globally, higher educa-
tion can increase one’s wage earnings
by 16 per cent on average, and by as
much as 27 per cent in low-income
countries. But with advances in arti-
ficial intelligence (AI) and automa-
tion, this gap will widen even further,
by boosting the capabilities (or “aug-
mented intelligence”) of the privileged
few who already have the skills to use
the new technologies.
But this doesn’t have to be the case.
By leveraging technology in the ser-
vice of education, we can end today’s
winner-takes-all race. Since 2012, the
burgeoning MOOC (massive open
online course) movement has dem-
onstrated that high-quality educa-
tion can be provided affordably and
at scale to students around the world.
Online education platforms have
already helped millions of people
achieve college readiness or upgrade
their skills at prices far below those
of more traditional approaches. For
No. 5108 , W E D N E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 4 , 20 1 9
tions Member States in 2015. These
goals are; no poverty, quality educa-
tion, gender equality and partner-
ships for the goals which all tie into
our shared value programmes, CSR
initiative and philanthropy.
In Kenya, the targeted skills and
entrepreneurship training pro-
gramme 2jiajiri has been the main
engine tackling youth unemploy-
ment by providing technical skills
thus creating jobs since 2016.
So far, close to 30,000 jobs have
been generated in five sub-sectors;
agribusiness, automotive engi-
neering, beauty and personal care,
building and construction and do-
mestic services.
The possible effects of vocational
and technical training include in-
creased education and averted
youth unemployment and to make
our programmes more effective, we
issue tools that are trade specific to
the area of study and business. This
we have done both in Kenya and
Tanzania.
In the past year we have issued
construction toolkits to 582 youth
in Kenya. In Tanzania, 245 women
supported under our empower-
ment programme through training
on financial and business practices
have been recently issued with tools
of trade to grow their already exist-
ing MSMEs into SMEs.
example, edX, a project backed by
Harvard University, MIT, and other
top institutions, has enrolled 25 mil-
lion people, from every country in the
world, and has so far awarded 1.6 mil-
lion certificates of completion.
Digital technologies can also help
us reach new audiences and reimag-
ine the delivery of education. Looking
ahead, digital technology will play a
critical role in supporting free or low-
cost general education, by providing
an on-ramp to college for traditional
and non-traditional students in de-
veloped and developing countries
alike. Institutions such as Arizona
State University in the US are devel-
oping a new model for online courses.
Together with edX, ASU has cre-
ated the first MOOC program to of-
fer first-year college-level courses for
academic credit. The Global Fresh-
man Academy is geared toward older
adults, who are returning to earn their
bachelor’s degree, as well as to high
school-age students who want to pre-
pare for college or reduce the cost of
their undergraduate education.
Innovation is also underway at the
post-graduate level, where one can
find competitively priced online Mas-
ter’s programs in cutting-edge fields
like data science, computer science,
AI, and business administration. Top-
ranked universities such as Georgia
Tech, the University of Texas at Aus-
tin, the University of Queensland, and
Boston University offer many of these
THE NEW TIMES
And it is with this backdrop that
we have set out to do the same –
and probably more - in Rwanda.
Through the Igire programme, we
are sponsoring youth to study in the
respective fields of Information and
Communications Technology, culi-
nary arts, tiling, welding and motor
vehicle mechanics at various poly-
technics in Rwanda.
In collaboration with the Rwanda
National Youth Council, Igire seeks
to bridge the unemployment gap
through vocational training and
to invest in skills acquired which if
nurtured will grow and out of ne-
cessity require extra hands.
Our collective efforts will go a long
way in establishing a strong pool of
skilled youth and give young people
a way out of poverty.
In an effort to support the Digital
Literacy programme that aims to
equip up to 5,000,000 Rwandans
with digital skills to drive digital
inclusion and growth by 2024, we
are supporting the government’s ef-
forts by putting in measures to train
youth in different polytechnics.
Moreover, even though culinary
arts programmes for youth devel-
opment Africa is rare, most organ-
isations around the world realise
that it is more than food prepara-
tion and are engaging disenfran-
chised youth through programmes
courses, at a cost of just 20-25 per
cent of an on-campus course. Given
this progress, the next natural step
is to introduce online degrees at the
undergraduate level, with curricula
sub-divided into stackable, modular
programs and credentials, enabling
students to learn on-demand and af-
fordably throughout their lifetimes.
Of course, such educational oppor-
tunities that should involve person-
to-person coaching and mentoring –
what some call high-tech high-touch
courses – should also be accompanied
by more opportunities for fulfilling
work at decent wages. But in addition
to nurturing new work opportuni-
ties, we also need to ensure that the
education we deliver is a proper fit
for future jobs, and that the accom-
panying credentials serve as effective
labour-market signals. Just one-fifth
of respondents to a recent edX survey
believe that all of the knowledge from
their college major is translatable to
their current field. To stay ahead of
the labor-displacing effects of AI and
automation, digital-learning oppor-
tunities must be developed with em-
ployability in mind.
The rising popularity of coding boot
camps and part-time, post-college
online micro-credential programs
shows that more workers are taking
“upskilling” into their own hands.
Job-relevant credentials from online
programs like edX are also on the rise,
with more than three million people
7
that teach the value of nutritious
meals for the growth of a healthy
nation thus our investment in it.
Recently, KCB Foundation initiat-
ed an up-skillers programme to en-
gage youth who were already run-
ning enterprises but were limited
in terms of upscaling for increased
income.
This programme entails upgrad-
ing skills and teaching youth tricks
of the trade along with business
development services such as le-
gal, financial literacy and market-
ing strategies to enable them make
progress in their businesses.
This will soon be introduced in
Rwanda as it is already working in
Kenya through 2jiajiri.
By investing in youth people,
transforming education systems
and up skills training, we shape
the future of millions by creating
a skilled cohort of individuals pre-
pared to create flourishing econo-
mies and peaceful societies.
If the future is truly African, Africa
must arise and get ready for that
future.
Jane Mwangi is the Managing
Director of KCB Foundation. jam-
wangi@kcbgroup.com
The views expressed in this
article are of the author.
having enrolled in various MicroMas-
ters programmes since this certifica-
tion was launched by MIT on edX in
2015. This grassroots momentum can
be maintained through support from
employers, who should recognise the
obvious advantages of lifelong educa-
tional opportunities for their employ-
ees.
But it is also time for governments
and public policymakers to wake up.
The inequality caused by lack of ac-
cess to education is simply unsustain-
able. Now is the time to leverage digi-
tal technologies to improve college
readiness and expand opportunities
for students and workers at all points
in their careers, and particularly for
those who can least afford traditional
educational channels.
Gordon Brown is United Nations
Special Envoy for Global Education
and Chair of the International Com-
mission on Financing Global Edu-
cation Opportunity.
Anant Agarwal, a professor at
MIT, is CEO of edX, a non-profit on-
line learning platform founded by
Harvard and MIT.
Copyright: Project Syndicate.
8 the new TIMES
No. 5 1 0 8 W e d n e s d ay, DE C E m B E R 4, 2019 news

Regional lawmaker roots for

cent in Kenya and other partner
states.
In EAC, more than 50 per cent
of pharmaceuticals imported into

access to essential medicines

By James Karuhanga
One of Rwanda’s representa-
tives in the East African Legisla-
tive Assembly is pushing for a bill
entitled the ‘East African Com-
munity Pharmaceuticals Bill’ to
promote access to essential med-
icines and facilitate the promo-
tion and development of the local
pharmaceutical industry.
The rationale, MP Francine Ru-
tazana told The New Times on
Tuesday, is “to help the EAC have
a regional body and legislation
which will guide the coordination
and harmonisation of national
legislation for more results in
terms of local production.”
Before tabling a motion seeking
leave to introduce the Bill she ex-
plained that, among others, “the
concern” is that the bloc has not
established favourable policies
for local producers or adequate-
ly promoted them to be able to
meet the pharmaceutical needs
of the region and compete with
imported drugs.
She also noted that there are
still discrepancies in the regis-
tration procedures for essential
medicines provided for by the
national health policies and regu-
lations of the partner states.
Rutazana is concerned that re-
liable access to affordable and
quality-assured medicines in
East Africa remains a huge chal-
lenge since most medicines in
the Community are still paid for
directly by citizens through out-
of-pocket payments.
A pharmacist goes through rows of drugs in a pharmacy in Kigali. Photo: Craish Bahizi.
She is convinced that it is nec-
essary for the six EAC countries
to improve the management of
pharmaceuticals in the bloc to
ensure access to affordable, qual-
ity essential medicines, including
those for the treatment of various
priority communicable and non-
communicable diseases.
“All Partner States heavily rely
on pharmaceutical imports, es-
pecially for branded and innova-
tor products and the inability of
local pharmaceutical industry to
sufficiently meet local demands
for low-cost generic production
and pharmaceutical innovation
has allowed foreign companies to
strongly dominate the pharma-
ceuticals market,” Rutazana said.
According to her, domestically
produced medicines have less
than 20 per cent of the value of
the pharmaceutical market in the
six-member bloc.
“One of the ways by which
the Community can improve
both the availability of essential
medicines and their quality is to
promote and support local pro-
duction of essential medicines
required by the Community,” she
said.
The EAC, now home to more
than 170 million citizens, pro-
duces less than 30 per cent of the
medicines it needs.
In April last year, a 10-year stra-
tegic plan for pharmaceutical
manufacturing was launched.
At the time, Kenya was reported
to have the largest pharmaceuti-
cal market in the bloc, with some
$740 million, followed by Ugan-
da, at $450 million, then Tanza-
nia $400 million, Rwanda $ 100
million and Burundi $75 million.
The market share of imports
in Africa is estimated to be over
70 per cent, with a market share
of generics estimated at 62 per
the region come from Asia, par-
ticularly from India and China.
In 2017, the Council of Minis-
ters adopted the regional phar-
maceutical manufacturing plan
of action 2017 – 2027.
It has several strategies and
priority areas for the region’s
pharmaceutical sector including
establishing a regional roadmap
for local manufacturers to up-
grade and attain internationally
recognized quality standards, as
well as introducing and imple-
menting incentive packages and
appropriate financing schemes
for local pharmaceutical manu-
facturers.
It also involves establishing
a regional framework for mu-
tual recognition of harmonized
medicines registration and good
manufacturing practices (GMP)
inspections.
The GMPs are practices re-
quired in order to conform to
the guidelines recommended
by agencies that control the au-
thorisation and licensing of the
manufacture and sale of food and
beverages, cosmetics, pharma-
ceutical products, dietary supple-
ments, and medical devices.
Under Article 118 of the EAC
Treaty, EAC countries commit-
ted to, among others, develop
a common drug policy which
would include establishing qual-
ity control capacities and good
procurement practices; and har-
monise drug registration proce-
dures to achieve good control of
pharmaceutical standards with-
out obstructing movement of
pharmaceutical products within
the region.
jkaruhanga@newtimesrwanda.com

Africa’s consumer credit scoring start-up gets $20 million funding

By Yomi Kazeem
The latest Africa-focused fintech player
to receive investor backing is one that
largely focuses on enabling establishment
corporations rather than disrupting them.
Migo, a fintech startup offering credit-
as-a service to large companies, has raised
$20 million in a Series B round led by
Brazil-focused venture firm, Valor Capital
Group. The round also saw participation
from existing investors including The Rise
Fund and Velocity Capital. It follows a $13
million Series A round in August last year.
Migo, formerly known as Mines.io, offers
its credit scoring service to large corpora-
tions, including banks and telecoms opera-
tors, enabling them offer loans to their end
users. The company Migo already counts
MTN and 9Mobile, two of Nigeria’s larg-
est telecoms operators, among its clients.
But the startup is not strictly focused on
traditional big business: it also provides
its service to some of Nigeria’s largest tech
companies as well, including Interswitch
– Africa’s first fintech unicorn, and Flut-
terwave.
Migo’s service is plugging a gap for large
corporations looking to maintain a com-
petitive edge by offering credit products
especially as standalone credit-focused fin-
tech apps offering loan services directly to
consumers emerge.
With access to credit historically lagging
in Africa’s largest economy, fintech start-
ups offering small loans have been gaining
traction, winning over customers with the
promise of quick, collateral-free credit. As
a workaround, these startups determine
credit worthiness by scouring smartphone
data including GPS data, call logs, contact
lists, and texts such as bank balance mes-
sages and bill payment receipts.
Standalone lending startups in emerging
markets have also been heavily backed by
investors as well: Branch, a lending service
Adia Sowho, Migo’s vice president of growth.
Photo: Net.
operating in Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania
as well as India and Mexico, raised $170
million in April. For its part, in addition to
its services to large companies, Migo also
operates Kwikmoney, a consumer-facing
quick loans service.
It hasn’t all been plain-sailing for some
startups, as there are concerns in some
markets that easier-than-usual credit has
encouraged some users to run up bad debt.
In late August, Google said it would not
allow apps that promote personal loans
which require repayment in full in two
months or less from the date the loan was
issued.
After starting off in 2014 as a research
project by Stanford professor Kunle Olu-
kotun and operating in Nigeria as its pri-
mary market since, Migo is now focused on
expansion to other emerging markets glob-
ally. The San Francisco- headquartered
company is set to launch in Brazil which
has “a similarly sized problem to Nigeria
in terms of the number of adults that have
low access to credit,” Migo’s vice president
of growth, Adia Sowho tells Quartz.
Quartz
LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
EducationTimes
THE NEW TIMES VOL 291: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019
PLACE TO LEARN

ALSO INSIDE
Healthy holiday; Raising children to overcome challenges
No. 696 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018

eating strategies
create a spirit of hope that there
will be calmness even after the
storm. Encourage kids that such
a condition is normal but it will
not last forever.
would require the little ones to
think and give solutions. Kids
need to be involved in home
situations. Allow them to give
ideas on what is happening.

Provide children with prac- Teach prayer. Let the little

tice. Present obstacles that kids
can deal with; teach them how
to develop strategy; encourage
them to persist; and then make a
big deal of it when they succeed.
You can also involve children
with planning family events, the
pressure they will put in to make
things work, will teach them a
lesson.
See problems as opportuni-
ones know that with God’s
strength, they can make it,
therefore, they should be able
to pray always.
Lay a basis. Patience and hu-
mility are very important as
they help kids be prepared in
case of any obstacles.
Attitude matters. Kids need
to be told how to handle both

By Lydia Atieno ties. Kids should be told that

problems aren’t the end of the
road, rather, chances to incur
short and long term hardships.
For instance; if a child is disa-
bled, they should be motivat-

can result from bad eating habits.

I
Include children in situations that would require them to think and give solutions. Net photo. inner strength about the issue. ed to keep living positive and
If you do that, it will be a les- know that they are created in
By Joan Mbabazi lightened about this, the better problem will be solved. Other- son that they will carry on even God’s image. They also need
when they grow. to be trained to care for peo-
magine f Students are at home for the holiday, a The Demographic Health Survey carried out in 2010 prepared they will be to give it a wise, if all you show kids is per-

long one in this case, and so parents are expect-
P
arents usually do their
best to provide and care
indicated that five per cent of children under five are
for their little ones, but if
asked, how many prepare these
children for future challenges?
What would your answer be?
try, irrespective of the situation. fectionism, that is what they will
Here are a few tips on how to grow up thinking, and when hard
do so; times kick in, they will have no
idea how to handle it. Kids need
Lead by example. When there to experience all situations, the
happens to be a problem at good and the bad.
Give them the right tools. Im-
part motivation, self-confidence,
perseverance, faith, the strength
of character, sound judgment,
and experience in solving small
ple with problems, offer help
to the sick or the disabled, and
not mock them.
Problems are ways to grow
strong. It is pretty obvious that

ed to take full charge in different aspects; that is,
obese. The world is no place for the soft-
hearted, it needs people that are
home, find means of explaining
to children in a way they can un- Stay positive. However tough
problems.

ready to take risks to reach suc-
derstand. However, show them
Facilitate solution-oriented
after a child trying their best to
fight any problem, they will be
stronger the next time it hap-
the situation is, whether sick-

monitoring what they do and what they eat, among However, in 2015, the latest statistic, it showed that cess. The earlier the kids are en- that through certain means, the ness, lack of money, or worse, conversations. While together
as a family, bring situations that
pens.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com

other things. this figure rose to eight per cent in that particular age Experiment corner! The young crab and his mother Story corner!
Many students complain about the food in schools group. Vinegar pops
and use the holiday to make up for it, stuffing them- Dr Alex Mucumbitsi, the head of the nutrition and
selves with all sorts of junk, like burgers and fries. hygiene department at the National Early Child-
However, experts warn that they shouldn’t forget hood Development Program, says teaching children
about nutrition, as a poor diet could lead to health healthy eating habits is key to avoiding obesity.
complications. He notes that adolescent and even adult obesity Materials:
• Ice tray
How it works:
When you have an acid (vinegar) and a base

It’s easy for parents to pamper their children with the
continues to be a serious problem worldwide.
• Vinegar
• Food colouring (optional)
• Baking soda
(baking soda) mixed together there is a chemical
reaction. That chemical reaction releases carbon
dioxide and results in the bubbling.

fast food they crave, but, at what cost? Instructions:

• Fill up ice tray with vinegar. Add food colour if
Extra experiments:
If you did try it with food colouring, try doing it

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
O
you desire. without it and vice versa.

Obesity is one of the biggest health problems that • Put ice tray in freezer for four to six hours.
• Pop out your Vinegar Pops and dip them in a
plate of baking soda.
• Wait a few minutes and watch the bubbling
begin.
Add popsicle sticks to the ice trays when you ne day, a young crab
freeze the vinegar. Does it work better, worse, or and his mother were
the same? on the beach, spending
Try doing the experiment with citric acid in- some time together. The young
stead of vinegar. Some examples of citric acid
crab gets up to move, but it can
would be lemon or lime juice.
Agencies only walk sideways. His mother
scolds him for walking sideways
and asks him to walk forward
by pointing his toes out front.
The young crab responds, “I
would like to walk forward
mom, but I do not know how
to.”
Hearing this, his mom gets up
to show him how, but even she
is unable to bend her knees for-
ward. She realises that she was
being unfair, apologises sheep-
ishly, and sits back in the sand.
Moral of the story: Don’t
condemn someone for not
doing something that you
yourself are unable to do.
Agencies

LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
 10 THE NEW TIMES, No. 5108 Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Students’ corner
Strategies to cope with family stress
Swimming is not only enjoyable, but it provides a multitude of physical and mental benefits. . Net photo.
S
tress is normal and unavoidable.
We encounter stress in a variety
of different situations, forms and
amounts, and stress can mean different
things to different people. Stress can
come from ordinary events like heavy
traffic or a long line at the store, or it can
be a result of a crisis event; like the loss of
a job or a death in the family.
There is not a single perfect way to sur-
vive the stressful events in your life. It is
more of a process of figuring out what
works best for you at a particular point
in time.
Here are some tips to for reducing
stress. See works best for you and your
family:
Take time for yourself. Take time to do
something that is meaningful, relaxing
and enjoyable to you. Read a book, sit
on the porch and enjoy the scenery, go
out with your friends for coffee.
Practice deep breathing or mindful-
ness. When you start feeling yourself get
anxious and extremely stressed, step
back and do a three-minute mindful
breathing exercise. This will quiet your
mind and help you relax.
Do some physical activity. Take a walk
around the house or neighbourhood.
Get enough sleep. Research by the
Sleep Foundation has shown when indi-
viduals get at least eight hours of sleep,
they are less stressed, less sad and man-
age anger better.
Origins of ordinary things: Sanitary pads
By Sharon Kantengwa
The sanitary pad is far and away the
most widely used method of men-
strual management. Made up of
mostly synthetic, bleached material,
it is easy to use and easily accessible.
According to Femme International,
before the disposable pad was in-
vented, most women used rags, cot-
ton, or sheep’s wool in their under-
wear to stem the flow of menstrual
blood. Knitted pads, rabbit fur, even
grass were all used by women to han-
dle their periods.
The liner ends were extended front
and back so as to fit through loops in
a special girdle or belt worn beneath
undergarments. This design was no-
Reflect on your emotions and feelings.
It is ok to feel sad, uncomfortable, angry,
or stressed. Noticing these emotions can
help us to be compassionate towards
ourselves.
Develop and/or use your support sys-
tem. Your support system consists of the
people who may or can fill different roles
in your life. For example, your neighbour
may be able to assist with childcare or a
friend may be a great listener. Use your
support system to talk about your feel-
ings and help you cope.
Surround yourself with positive, sup-
portive people. Make an effort to inter-
act and be around people who provide
support and encouragement for you
and your family.
Use and develop your sense of hu-
mour. Humour and laughter are great
stress relievers and promote wellbeing.
Focus on your health and the health
of others in your family. Often during
stressful times, individuals will turn to al-
cohol and drugs as a coping mechanism.
Be thoughtful of your eating and drink-
ing habits. It is extremely important to
eat healthy and to exercise at least 30
minutes a day.
Get professional help. If anyone is feel-
ing overwhelmed, seek assistance from
an outside source such as a mental
health professional.
Agencies
torious for slipping either forward or
back of the intended position.
The first ever sanitary pad was
called Lister’s Towels, it was launched
in 1896, and it was a complete failure
because most women were too em-
barrassed to go and ask for a product
that referenced their menstruation.
Although French nurses in World
War 1 realised that the bandages
they were using on wounded soldiers
were also handy for absorbing their
own blood, women around the rest
of the developed world struggled to
go into shops and ask for a product
that would do such a thing. This is ac-
cording to her.ie, an online dissemina-
tion platform.
The first pads were made from
Education Times
ADVISE ME,
I WAS RECENTLY TAKEN TO LIVE WITH AN AUNT AS MY DAD IS ALMOST ALWAYS AWAY AND I FEEL MORE DEPRESSED THAN EVER.
IT IS NOT A BAD HOME, BUT I FEEL SHE DOESN’T REALLY NOTICE ME OR IS INTERESTED IN ANYTHING I DO. THIS LONG HOLIDAY
WILL BE THE HARDEST AS I AM A BOARDING SCHOLAR. I CAN’T WAIT TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL. HOW CAN I ADAPT TO THIS NEW
ENVIRONMENT IN THE MEANTIME?
PAMELA
THEIR THOUGHTS...
Livingstone Buyinza, Manager
I think you just need to change your perception about this.
It could be that you didn’t want to go to live with your aunt
and this could be the reason you’re feeling depressed. But
understand why your father decided this for you, try and adapt
to the new environment and hang on to the fact that this is not
going to be permanent, and that you will soon be going back
home. This will help improve your mood.
Sam Mugisha, Businessman
I understand this must be hard for you; for a child who is used to
staying with her parents, it should be hard staying with someone
else. I advise you not to be fast to judge your aunt’s actions and
take time to understand who she is. It could be that she doesn’t
pay that much attention to you, but she can be showing you love
in other ways and you just need to open your heart to her.
Moreen Sanyu, Administrator
Pamela, staying with relatives can at times be hard. But the best
way for you to adapt is to look for something you love and focus on
that. Spend your free time reading and visiting friends, this will give
you less time to worry about your detached aunt. But also you can
try and reach out to her, I am sure she will open up to you in return.
Sarah Mbabazi, Salesperson
You need to understand that a relative cannot give you the same
attention like that of your parents. First and foremost, have an open
mind and learn to adapt to a new environment. You can do this by
trying your best to fit in, keeping in mind that your father is doing
this with the best intentions for you.
Compiled by Donah Mbabazi
NEXT WEEK’S PROBLEM
MY BEST FRIEND IS BULLIED BY SOME OLDER KIDS AT SCHOOL AND THEY THREATENED TO BEAT HIM IF HE SAID ANYTHING. THEY
MAKE HIM DO THEIR WASHING AND THINGS LIKE THAT. I WANT TO PUT A STOP IT BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW WITHOUT GETTING HIM
IN MORE TROUBLE. KINDLY ADVISE.
SIMON
wood pulp bandages by nurses in
France. It was very absorbent, and
cheap enough to throw away af-
terwards. Commercial manufactur-
ers borrowed this idea and the first
disposable pads that were available
for purchase came as early as 1888 – Sanitary pads are
called the Southball pad. most common
A few decades later, the pad was re- utilities used for
branded a few times — first as Nupak menstrual hygiene.
and then as Modess. These names Net photo.
made it easier for women to go into a
shop and buy the product discreetly. 1980s. more comfortable and practical than
Later, an adhesive strip was placed Over the last 20 years, the sanitary ever. The invention of ‘wings’ keeps
on the bottom of the pad for attach- pad industry has advanced by leaps pads in place in the underwear, and
ment to the saddle of the panties, and and bounds. Gone are the days of the invention of ‘scented pads’ re-
this became a favoured method with bulky belts and diaper-like thickness. duces odour.
women. The belted sanitary napkin With the invention of more absorbent
quickly disappeared during the early materials and better designs, pads are editor@newtimesrwanda.com
LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
 Education Times THE NEW TIMES, No. 5108 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 11

I
understand why teachers go
into school in the holidays.
I used to, too. It would be
the end of term, with everyone
Teaching: Working during the
holidays devalues our profession
giddy from the sheer exhaustion
of school life. “I can’t wait for a
break,” I’d say, yet I would still go
back in. Just a couple of days at
the start of the holidays to tidy
my classroom. Then before term,
a couple of days to prepare. I’d
hope to sort out a display or two,
label some books and – what
joy – laminate. Great. Whatever
made me feel happy and settled
seemed fair enough.
But it gradually dawned on me:
I could never be completely up-
to-date or optimally prepared.
However many extra days I
worked in the holidays, I’d still
be shunted into survival mode
within a few weeks of the begin-
ning of term. And worse, I’d be
fatigued quicker and teaching
poorer lessons because I’d not
really taken a break. Sacrificing
time I could have spent on my
own interests to do more school-
work was making me bored and
boring.
I noticed that the school tasks
I was doing in my holiday time
were, quite logically, the less
important ones: administration
and tidying up. If they had been
critical, they would have been
sorted in term time. Choosing
to spend my own time on these
frivolous things while complain-
ing about workload didn’t make
sense.
Other teachers have explained
to me that their “professional- Many teachers usually work overtime. Net photos.
ism” dictates that they work
into the holidays. I suggest they an electrician for a day’s work on precisely zero pounds. The ex- needn’t be paid well for the time If you’re a teacher, you might
speak to a lawyer about work- my house. tended holiday entitlement for they allocate to a crucial job that expect my passion for the vo-
ing for free, or ask a dentist how But while I understand that teachers is fantastic, but the idea is supposed to improve society. cation to carry me above these
many root canal surgeries they teachers are required to “work that it is a perk, an unwarranted They are devaluing themselves. worries. You might want to re-
do in their spare time. such reasonable additional and fortunate bonus, is bogus. Often the nature of the work ject these as the concerns of a
A teaching year in schools in hours as may be necessary to Teachers are paid a salary to have done in holidays is superfluous: jobsworth aiming to do the min-
England equals 1,265 directed enable the effective discharge a positive impact on their pupils: previously these clerical tasks imum. But how is working in the
hours, spread across 195 days. I of (their) professional duties”, I if that now requires significant were identified by teaching holidays helping you, your pro-
suspect I’m not the only person can’t help feeling that the scales additional working, teachers’ unions and resisted. By taking fession or your fellow teachers?
to have taken their salary and are not tipped in the teacher’s contracts need to be amended on these duties in the holidays,
worked out their daily and hour- favour. and their pay increased. teachers are devaluing their pro- By anonymous insider (Secret
ly pay. Mine works out at about Every extra day — every extra By working in the holidays, fession, spreading their pay ever Teacher).
£180 per day. Not bad, about hour — that teachers choose to teachers are showing that they thinner and devaluing their sal- Article was first published in
the same as I pay a plumber or devote to their job earns them don’t need them, that they ary. The Guardian.

QUICK FACTS
By Sharon Kantengwa gal. architecture.

Who did it? What’s that word? Where is it?

Dr Jaap Haartsen, is known for in-
venting Bluetooth while working at
Ericsson in the 1990s.
What happened?
December 1, 1640 — A nationalist
revolution in Portugal led to inde-
pendence from Spain as the Spanish
Jerusalem is the holiest place for Christians. Net photo.
garrisons were driven out of Portu-
Incognito: “Avoiding being recog-
nised, by changing your name or ap-
pearance.” – Cambridge English Dic-
tionary. Example: “The prince often
travelled abroad incognito.”
What is it called?
The art or practice of designing
and constructing buildings is called
Located in the Christian Quarter
of the Old City of Jerusalem, the
Edicule, also known as the Tomb of
Christ, within the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre is the holiest site for many
mainstream denominations within
Christianity.

LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
12 THE NEW TIMES
No. 5 1 0 8 W E D N E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 4, 2019 FEATURED

UN WOMEN PUSHES FOR GENDER-

SENSITIVE INVESTMENT IN
EFFORTS TO FIGHT HIV/AIDS
By Ange Iliza

The meeting has convened at tricts of Rwanda. On tackling the key

least10,000 delegates from nearly
150 countries, and these include peo-
ple working in the field of HIV, as well
as leaders, people living with HIV and
others committed to ending the epi-
demic.
During the session held under the
theme: ‘Financing for Gender Equali-
ty in the HIV/AIDS Response’ Mrs. Lo
stressed that HIV prevalence is not
just a health issue, but a development
issue, economic and social issue.
barriers to women’s access to HIV
treatment, a UN Women global review
recommended a six-point plan for ac-
tion.
Those include multi-layered interven-
tions, gender-based community en-
gagement, encompassing availability,
affordability, acceptability and quality
of care, among others.

“The strategies to tackle it should

therefore leave none behind,” she
Assumpta Ingabire, PS Migeprof

T
he Country Representative of
UN Women in Rwanda, Fatou
Lo, has called for more inclu-
sion in tackling multifaceted obstruc-
tions that hamper HIV positive wom-
en from their various human rights.
She gave the remark as she opened
a sideline session at of the 20th In-
ternational Conference on AIDs and
STDs in Africa 2019 (ICASA) taking
place in Kigali Convention Center
from December 1st-7th.
said.
During the session, it was highlight-
ed that although more women are
accessing life-saving HIV treatment
mostly due to the elimination of moth-
er-to-child transmission, HIV/AIDS
continues to be the leading cause of
death among women and girls of re-
productive age globally.
Therefore, UN Women present-
ed its strategies in place to address
the challenge. Among them, is a UN
Women project to help women living
with HIV/AIDs that has reached and Rehema Namutebi, DG National Budget
trained over 2000 women in 23 dis- Minecofin giving her speech

LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
FEATURED
THE NEW TIMES
No. 5108 W E D N E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 4, 2 0 1 9 13
“Despite strong commitments, and
growing evidence on what works to
promote gender equality in HIV re-
sponses, it remains a challenge to en-
sure adequate financing for these in-
terventions,” she said.

The session saw a panel discussion

Lavanya Vijayasingham, Fellow United Nations
University Institute for International Global
Health
Financing on a decline
In spite of the improvement in the glob-
al supply of better access and treat-
ment of HIV, women still face barriers to
treatment, due to violence in the family,
community and healthcare institutional
levels, and pervasive cultural, economic
and human-rights related factors.
On that note, Fatou Lo expressed her
worries that financing gender equality
is significantly sliding despite its im-
portant role in reducing HIV trends in
women.
According to WHO, international HIV fi-
nancing has been on a decline - expe-
riencing a 20% drop between 2013 and
2016.
that was composed with Rehema
Namutebi, Director General of Nation-
al Budget, Nazneen Damji, senior pol-
icy advisor in UN Women, Lavanya Vi-
jayasigham from the United Nations
University Institute for International
Global Health, Violet Shivutse Care
giver in Kenya and Nicholas Niwaga-
ba Director of Uganda Network of
Young People Living with HIV.
The panel discussions revolved
Nazneen Damji, UN WomenSenior Policy Advi-
sor, Gender equality, Health, and HIV
Violet Shivutse, Chair and Africa Representa-
tive, HUWAIRU Commission
around how financing gender
equality as a way to fight against
HIV prevalence in women can be
enhanced.
Concluding the panel, Rehema
Namutebi, suggested that in or-
der to adequately finance gender
equality, “we should first address
the issue, and establish clear sys-
tems in which the financing will be
carried out”.
According to UNAIDs, in 2018,
there were an estimated 18.8 mil-
lion women aged 15 and older liv-
ing with HIV, constituting 52% of all
adults living with HIV, majority of
them from sub-Saharan Africa.

Participants following the session

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 14 THE NEW TIMES, No. 5108 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Education Times

Healthy holiday-eating strategies

FROM PAGE 9

To prevent and reverse this, he

says, it is imperative that stu-
dents remain healthy during the
long holiday.

What is required?
Mucumbitsi says that parents
with young children tend to pro-
vide sweets and other sugary
stuff just to make them happy.
On some occasions, he says,
some even use these unhealthy
treats as a reward.
“This can lead to unhealthy eat-
ing habits. It should be stopped.
Instead, focus on making nutri-
tious snacks like fruit and veg-
etable salads,” he advises.
Gerald Ruzindana, a health and
wellness specialist at Amazon
Nutrition Cabinet, a clinic in Ki-
gali, says as parents, they have an
important role in shaping their
children’s eating habits, by cre-
ating a positive eating environ-
ment and not forgetting to be a
role model in this matter.
This, he says, shouldn’t apply
only during holidays. In fact,
he points out that if a child is
brought up in a culture that en-
courages healthy eating, they
Abilty to read and write can give one’s livelihood a boost,for example in an agricultural startup business. Net photo.
will follow this and parents will
not even have a problem when
their children break for holidays. The nutritionist says it’s bet- healthy routine, and prevents lead to overeating, thus expos- be given to children as it is a
He says the problem comes in ter if parents instil the culture of them from eating whenever they ing the child to a higher risk of nutrient-dense fruit with healthy
when such children have been drinking a glass of water prior to feel like, and overeating. obesity,” Mucumbitsi warns. fat, vitamins and minerals that
exposed to unhealthy eating a meal. Meanwhile, Professor Joseph He says that parents should act contribute to brain cell develop-
habits all along. This, she explains, can sat- Mucumbitsi, a cardiologist and as role models because depend- ment — and the texture is soft,
Nonetheless, Ruzindana says isfy the sensation of hunger, the president of Rwanda Heart ing on what they eat, they can making it easy to eat.
good nutrition can still be and help to prevent overeating Foundation, says it’s important influence their children’s eating She adds that dairy products,
achieved if only parents lead by among young people. for parents to create time for habits in a positive or negative including cheese and yoghurt,
example. their children, especially during way. are rich sources of calcium. Be-
To help these young ones reach Importantance mealtime. He says that what a parent eats sides its role in bone health, she
and maintain a healthy weight Ruzindana adds that when He says this is so because when sets an example of what your says calcium forms an important
and reduce their risk of none this is done, it can keep children parents eat together with their children will eat. part of the electrical signalling
communicable diseases, he emotionally healthy. children as a family, they can Embracing the culture of con- system within the brain.
says parents should introduce “During this time, when chil- watch and guide them on what suming more fruits, vegetables, Ruzindana says that although
a healthy diet combined with dren or teens are exposed to is best for them as far as eating whole grains, low-fat dairy prod- water is not food, it’s important
physical activity to their children. good nutrition, it helps their healthy is concerned. ucts, and legumes, among others for hydration, which helps to
Marie Grace Nkundabombi, a body be strong and also fight He goes on to add that eating is important, Mucumbitsi says. maintain blood flow and oxygen
Kigali-based nutritionist, says some illness,” he says. together tends to promote more transport to all parts of the body,
empowering teens with a modi- Mucumbitsi says good nutrition sensible eating habits, which in What to eat therefore, parents should ensure
cum of control over what they plays a key role in the healthy de- turn helps family members man- Nkundabombi says nutrition they give enough water to their
eat during the holidays helps es- velopment of children and youth, age their weight more easily. and fitness are extremely impor- children.
tablish a sense of trust and inde- adding that nutritious foods pro- Family meals provide an op- tant for the growing bodies of Experts say limiting foods high
pendence to last a lifetime. vide the body and mind with the portunity for family members to children, adolescents, and young in calories, fat, and sugar and salt
She says parents should em- energy needed to grow, feel well, come together, strengthen ties adults. is important.
phasise moderation in every be active, stay healthy and most and build better relationships, For instance, she says, foods Such foods include; chocolates,
food they provide for their chil- importantly, learn. which is important for young such as fruits contain quercetin, cookies, doughnuts, French fries,
dren. Ruzindana says during holidays, people. which helps stimulate brain ac- energy drinks among others.
She says they should as well en- most children stay indoors, and Besides, he says, it also pre- tivity. When these foods are limited or
courage children to drink more for this reason, it’s important for vents children from eating while A good example, she says, are not eaten at all, Ruzindana says
water, avoid sugary drinks and the parents to encourage them watching television, or with gad- apples as they are easy to offer children will be less likely to eat
sodas, which are notorious for to always have regular meals and gets in their hands. as a first food and throughout a them as well.
their empty calories and adverse healthy snacks every day. “Eating meals while watching baby’s transitional food stages.
effects on the body. He explains that this creates a should be avoided as this can Avocado, she says, should also editor@newtimesrwanda.com

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 Education Times THE NEW TIMES, No. 5108 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 15

H
olidays are the perfect
time to recharge and re-
focus for the New Year.
Some students and parents also
How to study effectively over
the holidays without burning out
see holidays as the perfect op-
portunity to get a head start on
the school curriculum and re-
vise for upcoming exams.
But is it a good idea to study
over the holidays? And if so,
how can it be done to avoid
burning out before the school
term begins? You should only
study over the holidays if you’re
going to do it effectively. Other-
wise you’ll just be wasting your
time.

What do I mean
by ‘effective study’?
Perhaps the easiest way to ex-
plain what ‘effective study’ is to
show you an example of what
ineffective holiday study looks
like.

Here’s how you don’t want to

spend your holidays:
You wake up, sit in your chair
and open up your brand new
textbook, breathing in that
brand new textbook smell.
Starting at page one, you read
for a couple of hours straight
because you think this is what
you should be doing. You think
this is the right thing to do. You
don’t take any notes. “Hopefully
something will stick”, you say to
yourself.
In between forcing yourself to
read, you go on Facebook and Studying as a team is said to be an effective learning method. Net photos.
Instagram. “What’s everyone
else doing?” you think. Unlike To relax and recharge. So don’t Some simple ways include: for fun every day
your sad ‘Poor-me-I-have-to- overdo the study. You only want reading interesting books on You know the saying, “All work 5. Have at least one day where
study’ self, everyone else looks to do a little bit each day. I rec- the subject (read beyond your and no play makes Jack a dull you don’t pick up a book
like their having a blast at the ommend ‘snack study’ where school book list); visiting inter- boy”? There’s a lot of truth to Give yourself a mental break
beach and movies. You sigh and you study in short, sharp bursts esting places that relate to your this statement. It’s your holi- at least one day a week. Over
think, “Better get back to read- (15 – 20 minutes), followed by a subject (e.g., a museum or art days. Go get yourself a life. Do the holiday period, you need
ing that textbook”. break. gallery); watching relevant TED some fun things with friends one or two days a week where
By the end of the day, you talks; listening to podcasts; or that don’t relate to your studies! you don’t think about school.
feel exhausted and you can’t 2. Combine study with attending talks by experts at But what you choose to do for A little study over the holiday
remember much of what you something delicious and universities in the subject area. fun matters. Research shows break is a good move. But just
read in that textbook. Your eyes exciting The key thing is you don’t that some activities are more as long as you study effectively
hurt and you feel tired and con- Why not combine a bit of sci- want your holiday study to feel relaxing and rejuvenating than and don’t overdo it. Think of
fused. All you want to do is curl ence pre-reading with a milk- like hard work. To avoid burning others. the school year as being like a
up in the fetal position and cry. shake at a nice café? Or art his- out before school starts, keep it Start to notice what activities marathon, not a fast sprint. You
You get the idea of ineffective tory study with a trip to the art fun. leave you feeling energised and don’t want to run out of steam
holiday study. Please, do not do gallery? which activities leave you feel- in the first 200 meters.
this to yourself. There is a better, A good holiday should get you 4. Factor in time ing flat and depleted. Agencies
less painful way to get a head out of your usual routine and
start for the new school year expose your mind to new and
over the holidays. It involves
setting aside 5 – 10% of the day
different ideas and places.
Tips to stay motivated to study during the holidays
for study (approximately 1 – 2 3. Reframe the way you think

Set a schedule
hours) and a lot more fun and about study: You’re playing

Reward yourself
relaxation than you realise. and having fun with ideas
Language is powerful. The

Tips for studying effectively
over the holidays
1. Only do a little bit each day
(snack study)
Remember, it’s your holidays.
What’s the point of holidays?
LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
Take a break
words we use and the way an
Keep the end goal in sight
activity is framed can make a
huge difference to our motiva-
tion levels.
So the question is, how on
earth can you have fun with
your studies?
Study with friends
 16 THE NEW TIMES, No. 5108 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Education Times

T
echnology is everywhere
— entwined in almost ev-
ery part of our culture. It
affects how we live, work, play,
Reasons today’s students NEED
technology in the classroom
and most importantly learn.
With mobile and other wireless
devices becoming an increasing
requirement across every indus-
try today, it only makes sense
that schools are also effectively
deploying mobile technology
in the classroom. However, for
many schools, implementing
the latest technology is a diffi-
cult strategy to navigate.
There are two main reasons
for this:
• Schools are on the fence
about the use of certain mobile
devices; thinking they’re more
a burden than a strategic learn-
ing tool.
• Schools want to deploy
mobile devices but their WiFi
networks are not capable of
properly supporting the tech-
nology.
In both cases it’s a lose-lose
situation for everyone involved,
especially the students.
To help your school confident-
ly make the decision to em-
brace mobile technology in the
classroom, we’ve put together a
list of 10 reasons why it will ben-
efit your students.
Then, we’ve outlined how your
school can make sure it’s ready
to actually support those new/
added devices.
1) If used correctly, mobile de-
vices and the applications they Use technology to facilitate learning. File.
support, will help prepare stu-
dents for their future careers.
2) Integrating technology into thing to know how to use them of new technology can enhance be more responsible. Owning to learning how to better col-
the classroom is an effective correctly and responsibly. the learning experience and your own device or borrow- laborate across teams and with
way to connect with students 5) Integrating technology in create new opportunities. ing the school’s devices gives their instructors—technology
of all learning styles. education helps students stay 7) When mobile technology is students the opportunity to empowers students to be more
3) It gives students the oppor- engaged. Most students today readily available and perform- improve their decision making creative and be more connect-
tunity to enhance the interac- have been using mobile devices ing correctly in the classroom, skills as well as taking owner- ed. New tech has super-charged
tion with their classmates and like tablets and smartphones to students are able to access the ship of a valuable (and often how we learn today.
instructors by encouraging col- play and learn since they could most up-to-date information times expensive) device. Again, If your school is still debating
laboration. crawl. So it only seems logi- quicker and easier than ever be- this needs to be complemented how technology can benefit
4) Using technology in the cal to align today’s classrooms fore. by proper digital citizenship your students, teachers and ad-
classroom gives teachers and with the way that your students 8) The traditional passive training to see the best results. ministrators, I hate to break it to
other faculty members the op- want and are used to learning. learning model is broken. With 10) Technology transforms the you, but the future of education
portunity to develop their stu- 6) Combining new tech like VR technology in the classroom learning experience. Students is already here and you’re miss-
dent’s digital citizenship skills. (virtual reality) with traditional the teacher becomes the en- have access to an incredible ing an unbelievable amount of
It’s one thing to use mobile classroom instruction is one ex- courager, adviser, and coach. amount of new opportunities. opportunities.
devices, it’s a completely other ample of how the introduction 9) Technology helps students From learning how to code Agencies

Teaching with technology were not possible before.

What you use depends fun-
damentally on what you are
trying to accomplish.
which to brainstorm ideas
and document their work us-
ing text and images.
Presentation software
ings and diagrams.
Course management tools
such as Canvas allow in-
structors to organize all the

T
eaching with technolo-
gy can deepen student
learning by supporting
instructional objectives. How-
ever, it can be challenging to
select the “best” tech tools
while not losing sight of your
goals for student learning.
Once identified, integrating
those tools can itself be a chal-
lenge albeit an eye-opening
experience.
What do we mean
by “technology”?
The term “technology” re-
fers to advancements in the
methods and tools we use to
solve problems or achieve a
goal. In the classroom, tech-
nology can encompass all
kinds of tools from low-tech
pencil, paper, and chalkboard,
to the use of presentation
software, or high-tech tablets,
online collaboration and con-
ferencing tools, and more.
The newest technologies al-
low us to try things in physical
and virtual classrooms that
How can technology
help you?
Online collaboration tools,
such as those in Google
Apps, allows students and in-
structors to share documents
online, edit them in real
time and project them on a
screen. This gives students
a collaborative platform in
(such as PowerPoint) enable
instructors to embed high-
resolution photographs, dia-
grams, videos and sound files
to augment text and verbal
lecture content.
Tablets can be linked to
computers, projectors and
the cloud so that students
and instructors can commu-
nicate through text, draw-
resources students need for
a class (e.g. syllabi, assign-
ments, readings, online quiz-
zes), provide valuable grad-
ing tools, and create spaces
for discussion, document
sharing, and video and audio
commentary. All courses are
automatically given a Canvas
site!
Agencies
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 THE NEW TIMES
No. 5108 , W E D N E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 4 , 2 0 1 9 17

How Africa’s entrepreneurs can innovate and

invest to put African cuisine on the world stage
nal Trade Organisation (JETRO) to include
branding, certification of restaurants and in-
gredients, and public relations.
In addition, through strategic and deliberate
interventions by the government, Japanese
traditional cuisine was added to the UNESCO
Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2012.
The results of these efforts are very com-
pelling. In 2006, there was approximately
20,000 Japanese restaurants outside Japan.
By 2017, this number had increased five-
fold to close to 120,000. Beyond the growth
in restaurants, today, most leading super-
markets in the United States and the UK sell
sushi. In addition, Japanese food attracts the
highest ratings in foreign food preferences.
This rapid rise of Japanese food in the glob-
al food landscape demonstrates what is pos-
sible, through strategic and coordinated ef-
forts from key stakeholders in the private and
public sectors, and what can be replicated by
Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Senegal,
which have unique cuisines across the differ-
ent ethnic groups and regions, with distinct
flavors.
Ethiopian cuisine already has a head-start
as there are over 350 restaurants in the Unit-
ed States, driven by the immigration trends
in the 1980s. Like Japanese food, Ethiopian
food is considered extremely healthy.
The Injera made of teff, is gluten-free, high
in fibre, calcium, iron and protein, which also
makes it very appealing to the growing global
vegetarian and vegan community. This cui-
sine has the potential to gain widespread ac-
ceptance.
The momentum for food from other African
countries is also building, with the emergence
of celebrity chefs opening high-end restau-
rants in global cities.
Senegalese chef Pierre Thiam, for instance,
through his restaurant Teranga in New York
City, and his company—Yolélé Foods, is com-
mitted to sharing African culture through
food, and promoting fonio as an attractive
substitute to quinoa.
Kwame Onwuachi a second-generation Ni-
gerian-American chef based in Washington
DC, was just named on the TIME 100 List.
Now is the time to build on this momentum
and ensure that varied, healthy and tasty Af-
rican dishes are promoted globally.
Quartz

African governments must create an enabling environment and foster linkages

with diaspora populations to attract the support required to position our food and
change mindsets. Net.

By Ndidi Nwuneli across Africa, which is also highly nutri-

OVER THE past six months, I have engaged
in a simple experiment. In packed rooms in
Europe and the United States, I have asked,
“What is your favorite African dish?”
Usually, the answer is blank stares.
In contrast, when I’ve asked, “What is
your favourite Asian dish?” the list from
the audience has been long, often including
sushi, pad thai and samosas.
I also gauged the audience’s recognition
of Africa’s role in the global food industry,
asking about commodities such as cocoa,
cashews, yam, coffee and tea, to more niche
products such as rooibos, moringa or fonio.
Typically, awareness has been extremely
low—everyone loves chocolate, but most do
not realise that 70 per cent of the world’s
cocoa is sourced from West Africa or that
rooibos tea is grown in the hills of South
Africa.
My informal polling tallies with the sparse
survey results on global preferences for
food which often excludes food from Afri-
can countries, or gives the entire continent
the lowest ratings—categorised as one type
of food, instead of the diversity of 54 coun-
tries.
Sadly, this global perception is seeping
into the continent as well, with young Afri-
cans opting for fast food from international
chains like KFC, Dominos and even Krispy
Creme, which are making significant in-
roads into major African cities.
What this means is the world is missing
out on the extremely diverse cuisine from
tious. More importantly, it means we are
limiting opportunities to foster greater
global awareness about the culture and
rich heritage of countries in Africa, and to
promote cross-cultural learning.
These various findings, coupled with my
personal investment in the transformation
of the African agricultural and food land-
scapes over more than two decades have
led me down a research path to discover
how to change the disparity in the global
appreciation and acceptance of African
food.
Primarily, it will require African entrepre-
neurs to invest in branding and storytelling,
innovation, and partnerships to accelerate
broad-based awareness of African food.
In addition, African governments must
create an enabling environment and foster
linkages with diaspora populations to at-
tract the support required to position our
food and change mindsets.
The rise of Japanese cuisine on the global
stage offers compelling lessons for commit-
ted stakeholders in key African countries.
As is the case with Ethiopian, Senegalese
or Nigerian cuisine today, in the 1960s and
70s, awareness and appreciation for Japa-
nese food was limited overseas.
Then the Japanese government took ac-
tion after recognising the important role
food could play in building cultural bridges
while also generating employment and de-
mand for its food.
In 2003, the Japanese government ex-
panded the scope of the Japanese Exter-

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 18 THE NEW TIMES
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22 THE NEW TIMES
N o. 5 1 0 8 , W E D N E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 4, 2019 Lifestyle

From New York to Kigali: Koojo

on nurturing his talent in Rwanda
By Sharon Kantengwa

THE FIRST time he came to Rwanda, Au-

gust 2017, was during the Kigali Up music
festival where he was scheduled to play
with his New York based band, King Holi-
day. After only a week in Rwanda, Koojo
canceled his ticket back to New York and
decided to stay in Rwanda to record his de-
but solo album.
“What prompted me to stay was that it
was a new chapter for me and I was just so
struck by the beauty and how friendly peo-
ple are. We went to Kibuye and as a very
visual person, I had so many things racing
through my mind. I was having some hard
times in New York and it was a blessing to
come and perform in Rwanda.
It was really within a matter of weeks and
months that I found my way to start work-
ing as a creative person amongst amazing
talent here. It was somehow an easy deci-
sion to stay here and just see what I can
do,” he explains.
The Ghanaian- American recording ar-
tiste, real name, Leslie Kodzo Alexander
DuMouchel, since relocating to Africa has
been recording his album in Kigali and Ac-
cra and is currently putting the finishing
touches on his three part solo album titled
“New born”, a fusion of R&B, soul, funk,
pop, rock, Hip-hop, Afro-soul and Afro-
pop, incorporated with some traditional
sound.
“I fell in love with Rwanda’s traditional
sound and the dance. There is something Koojo entertains revellers at a past
about the rhythm and this project that I Nyege Nyege festival. Courtesy photos.
have been working on has really been inspired by the
rhythms of the continent. As I grow into more studio be paired with the album and scheduled to be
shows, I want to incorporate traditional sounds, and released next year.
continue working with local talents. I feel there is a big “I really want to help bring a spotlight to the
wave happening with African music to the world and global audience, what’s happening in Rwanda
there is so much talent especially in Rwanda and I just and if that means me helping the production
want to be a part of it,” he said. side and cultivating a sound with my contacts
Yesterday, he released his first solo song ‘Uncondi- and my network, sharing to the world, that’s
tional’, and after playing the main stage at Nyege something I feel I’m very passionate about. I’ve
Nyege Festival in Jinja this year and opening for been here for quite sometimes and even if I go
Jidenna at the recently concluded Kigali Jazz Junc- with my travels and tours, I feel like this is home,
tion, Koojo is preparing to bring his upcoming al- and home is where the heart is.”
bum to the stage for 2020 tours.
“I’ve been here since 2017, now I’m traveling more Promoting his bands
and preparing to do tours in 2020. I would like to Koojo has been the band leader of Brooklyn based
eventually buy property here and settle here once “Astro-Soul” band King Holiday since 2012. Koo-
I have more stability and I’m able to get my music jo has played extensively with his NYC band King
off the ground. This is my first time releasing mu- Holiday throughout Los Angeles, NYC, Miami (Art
sic as Koojo so I’m still very new to the world, and Basel 2016), U.K, and Canada. He has opened for
there’s still a lot of work ahead of me to get my international recording artists such as Jidenna,
music out there and heard,” he revealed. Paloma Faith (U.K), Santigold (U.S), Mumford and
“As a creative person that has been my priority sons (U.K), Thundercat (U.S), Ismaël Lô (Senegal)
but if you look at the bigger scope of what I truly and many more.
want to do, I believe in doing art. People around “I started off as a dancer back in the day and moved
me have inspired me to use music as a tool and to Los Angeles, I started drumming in the band. At
not just a form of expression, to affect people,” the time I was working with another singer to see
he added. how I could take my inspiration, to write songs and
Sometimes as a creative person it’s a very chal- also plays rhythms. It was shortly after my experience
lenging road to take especially when you don’t as a drummer that’s when I really learned to multitask
have the tools or resources. For Koojo, his as a band manager,” Koojo says of his experience.
hope is to help nurture young aspiring artists He currently owns a band in New York, Ghana, Rwan-
and give people the tools to do their art and da and Uganda and although somehow challenging to
create more opportunities. bring people together to rehearse given his love for the
sound of big band, brass, vocals and percussion, his
Debut film hope is that he continues to grow with his online audi-
In the acting, Koojo was featured in a role as ence, book more shows, keep the big sounds that he
Bob Marley in the American HBO Drama “Vinyl” in 2016. He has created with the bands.
also played a small role in Steven Spielberg’s new dramatic film uled to be released ear-
titled, “The Post” last year. ly 2020, Koojo is in production to direct
editor@newtimesrwanda.com
With such experience, in addition to the album—which is sched- his first debut film. The dark, comedy and adventure film will

LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
SPORTS
VOLLEYBALL The army side – who last won the league title in 2014 – finished fifth last season
APR set ‘top four’ target this season
BRIEFLY
UK Championship:
Ronnie O’Sullivan goes
through to last 16
Ronnie O’Sullivan has only lost
two frames in three matches. Net.
REIGNING champion Ron-
nie O’Sullivan dropped his
first frames in this year’s UK
Championship but was still a
convincing 6-2 winner in his
third-round tie against Nop-
pon Saengkham.
O’Sullivan led an all-out
attacking match 3-1 with a
typically rapid break of 76 the
highlight.
The world number two
took two of the next three
and made sure of victory by
pinching a scrappy eighth
frame.
O’Sullivan, 43, faces two-
time winner Ding Junhui in
the last 16.
China’s Ding beat Ali Cart-
er 6-4 at the York Barbican,
while Scotland’s Stephen
Maguire was a 6-2 victor over
fellow countryman Graeme
Dott.
O’Sullivan was far from his
fluent best in beating his Thai
opponent, failing to make a
century, but closed out the
match with classy breaks of
97 and 65.
He is bidding to win a re-
cord-extending eighth UK
crown on Sunday which
would take him to 37 rank-
ing titles and clear of Stephen
Hendry in the all-time list.
A good-humoured encoun-
ter saw world number 32
Saengkham fluke a number
of balls to give himself frame-
winning opportunities, but
he only made one fifty break.
O’Sullivan’s fourth-round
game against Ding takes
place on Thursday at 13:00
GMT.
Tuesday’s evening session
sees world number six and
two-time champion Mark
Selby face England’s Martin
O’Donnell.
Agencies
LOG ON www.newtimes.co.rw
THE NEW TIMES
No. 5108 W E D N E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 4, 2 0 1 9 23
ons Rwanda Energy Group.
Elie Mutabazi, the APR head
“We will continue to fight until
the final minute of the season.
coach, retired from competitive
volleyball in 2013 after a
We want to finish in top so we can
play the playoffs again,” Mutaba-
glittering 18-year career. File.
zi told Times Sport on Tuesday.
APR missed out on a ticket
to the playoffs last season after
finishing fifth, with the top four
spots going to Rwanda Energy
Group, Gisagara, UTB and IPRC-
Ngoma.
“Our players are now more con-
fident compared to last season,
we can now compete against any
side although we are not at the
level of challenging for the league
title yet,” added Mutabazi.
During his glittering 18-year
playing career, Mutabazi played
for and won several titles – in-
cluding league titles – with APR
and the National University of
Rwanda.
League table after three games
By Damas Sikubwabo spired youthful APR to a stun- who won their last league title in 1. REG – 8 points
ning four-set win over Gisagara 2014, edged Gisagara 19-25 25- 2. UTB – 6 points
ELIE MUTABAZI has said that last Saturday, admits that it 23 25-20 and 25-15 to register 3. Gisagara – 6 points
he targets to guide his side, APR would be ‘too ambitious’ for his their second victory this season 4. APR – 6 points
Volleyball Club, to the playoff side to challenge for the league after previously beating Kirehe 5. IPRC-Ngoma – 1 point
games of the 2019/2020 Na- title, but neither does he rule it also in four sets. 6. Kirehe – 0 points
tional Volleyball League. out. However, they lost their season
The veteran setter, who in- Seven-time champions, APR, opener against reigning champi- editor@newtimesrwanda.com
AFCON U17 qualifiers: Amavubi starlets start early preps
By Peter Kamasa &
Damas Sikubwabo
Most of the players in camp
RWANDA’S UNDER-17 na- were part of the Amavubi
tional team has started early U15 team that finished
third in Cecafa this year. File.
preparations as the bids to
host the Cecafa regional quali-
fiers for the 2021 Africa U17
Cup of Nations, to be held in
Morocco.
Guided by head coach Yves
Rwasamanzi, the team started
a two-week training on Tues-
day. The youngsters will be
using Kigali Stadium in the
morning and Amahoro Sta-
dium in the afternoon.
The 20-player squad that was
summoned by Rwasamanzi is
dominated by youngsters who
comprised the Amavubi U17
team that finished third at the
Cecafa U15 Championships
earlier this year in Eritrea.
The 2021 Africa U-17 Cup of
Nations will be the first edition
with 12 teams after expanding
the tournament from eight
teams. The top four teams will
automatically qualify for the
2021 FIFA U-17 World Cup in
Peru as Africa representatives.
The Confederation of Afri-
can Football (CAF) decided rocco. ton Niyonkuru, Samuel Nshuti, Asante Sana Niyogisubizo, Sul-
in July 2017 that the format Benon Byiringiro Kagimbura, tan Bobo Sibomana, David Niyo
of the qualifying competitions Full squad in training: Charles Fumbira and Ishimwe and Jean Paul Irakoze.
should be changed and split Goalkeepers: James Byiringiro Moise. Strikers: Endrick Kenny Mugi-
according to zones, and at the and Christian Nshimiyimana. Midfielders: Siladji Iraduku- sha, Eric Irahamwe and Uwizey-
end of the qualifiers, eleven Defenders: Verizon Ishimwe, nda, Eric Mwizerwa, Keneddy imana Celestin.
teams will join the hosts Mo- Selieux Mbonyamahoro, Fis- Hoziana, Pacifique Iradukunda, editor@newtimesrwanda.com
 APR set ‘top four’
target this season
P23
CLASH OF EGOS Rayon Sports and Police are level at 24 points after 11 matches into the 2019-20 Rwanda Premier League
Martinez calls for total
focus ahead of Police tie
By Peter Kamasa
Match-day 12
Wednesday
Kiyovu Vs Marines 15:00
Mukura Vs Muhanga 15:00
Heroes Vs Gasogi 15:00
Musanze Vs AS Kigali 15:00
Sunrise Vs Bugesera 15:00
Espoir Vs Etincelles 15:00
Rayon Vs Police 18:00
JAVIER MARTINEZ ESPINOSA
has urged his Rayon Sports to
‘have total focus’ when they take
on Police in the Rwanda Pre-
mier League at Kigali Stadium on
Wednesday.
The Mexican tactician insists
that his side cannot afford to let
APR off their sight in the title race
if they are to retain the champi-
onship.
Leaders APR were held 1-1 by
bottom side Gicumbi in their
match-day 12 fixture at Mumena
Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking to Times Sport on
Tuesday, Martinez said: “We are
lucky that we won against SC Ki-
yovu on Sunday, and we are not
far from the top. We must aim for
victory tomorrow (Wednesday),
and keep applying pressure on
APR until the gap is closed.”
In Sunday’s hard-earned win,
skipper Eric Rutanga rescued the
Blues in injury time as he pow-
ered them to second with a stop-
page time free-kick.
“I have told the players to keep
New Diamond League format killing athletes – Yohan Blake
WORLD ATHLETICS president
Lord Coe is “killing” the sport
by taking away disciplines
from the Diamond League,
says Jamaican sprinter Yohan
Blake.
The 200m, 3,000m steeple-
chase, discus and triple jump
will not feature at all meetings
from next year.
There will now be 12 disci-
A publication of The New Times Publications Ltd, P. O. Box 4953 Kigali, Rwanda. Tel. Editorial: (+250) 780303436. Marketing: (+250) 0782859324. Website: www.newtimes.co.rw
Michael Sarpong, seen here
during a past match against
Police at Kigali Stadium, has
only scored three times in the
league this season. Courtesy.
their concentration and waste
no chance until the last minute.
Police are a side that can score
against you any time, and, at the
same time, deny you to score.”
plines at each of the 15 meet-
ings because athletics’ govern-
ing body wishes to cut events
for a “90-minute broadcast”.
“I believe all the events are
very important,” said Blake.
“This is people’s careers. This
is where they make their mon-
ey.”
British two-time Olympic
gold medallist Coe, who is
NO. 5108, KIGALI, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019
“We will not take any chances.”
However, Police have also
vowed to put up a strong fight
to bounce back after dropping
points in a 1-0 loss to AS Mu-
also Diamond League chair-
man, has said the “objective is
to create a faster-paced, more
exciting global league that will
be the showcase for our sport”.
The 2020 Diamond League
begins in Doha on 17 April.
The 3,000m staeeplechase
and 200m will feature at 10
meetings, while two will stage
the discus and triple jump.
hanga over the weekend.
“We played a very bad game
(against AS Muhanga), we have
to show that we can bounce
back,” said Francis Haringingo,
None of the four disciplines
removed from the ‘core’ list
will form part of the Diamond
League Final in Zurich in Sep-
tember.
“That’s a stupid move,” add-
ed 29-year-old Blake, a former
100m world champion. “He
must enhance the sport, but he
is killing it.”
Agencies
the Police head coach, in a sepa-
rate interview with this publica-
tion.
He further noted: “The Rayon
Sports game is a must-win, oth-
erwise we risk losing relevance as
title challengers. We cannot slip
up again.”
Rayon beat Police 1-0 in May
en route to lifting their 9th league
title, and their third since 2013.
In other matches on Wednes-
day, SC Kiyovu host Marines,
Mukura and AS Muhanga face
off, Gasogi United and Heroes go
head-to-head in clash for league’s
newcomers, Musanze take on AS
Kigali, Etincelles delight Espoir,
while Sunrise will be up against
Bugesera.
TABLE
No Team PG W D L PTS
1 APR 12 8 4 0 28
2 Rayon 11 7 3 1 24
3 Police 11 7 3 1 24
4 Mukura 11 6 3 2 21
5 Kiyovu 11 5 4 2 19
6 Sunrise 11 4 3 4 15
7 Muhanga 11 4 3 4 15
8 Gasogi 11 3 5 3 14
9 Etincelles 11 4 2 5 14
10 Bugesera 11 4 2 5 14
11 AS Kigali 11 2 6 3 12
12 Espoir 11 3 1 7 10
13 Marines 11 2 3 6 9
14 Musanze 11 1 6 4 9
15 Heroes 11 2 2 7 8
16 Gicumbi 12 1 2 9 5
pkamasa@newtimesrwanda.com
Yohan Blake is a two-time Olympic
relay champion. Net.