United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has inked a partnership with local tea company, Sorwathe, on improving children’s education and early childhood development in districts of Gicumbi and Rulindo in Northern Province.

During the signing, Unicef Rwanda’s public relations officer, Albertine Uwimana, said the partnership concerns infants and children below seven years old and will consider first females working for Sorwathe and those around the tea company’s activities.

“Sorwathe employs, among others, pregnant and breastfeeding women. We want the company to give those women opportunities to raise well children,” she said.

Sorwathe has always supported early education and has so far constructed four schools in Gicumbi and Rulindo districts.

“Unicef has committed to training women working for Sorwathe on the best ways of raising children. Sorwathe will also put in place systems that help women and children to develop,” said Uwimana.

Rohith Peiris, the managing director of Sorwathe, said the company that started in 1972 is eager to contribute to the welfare of its employees and neighbours as it has always done.

“We believe that children are the force for the private sector’s future; so helping them to grow well is preparing tomorrow’s taskforce, clients and empowered citizens,” he said.

Rohith said that Sorwathe intends to build a school every year and provide every child with a cup of porridge every day.

Ted Maly, UNICEF Rwanda’s director, lauded the country’s efforts towards childcare and said the global vision is to provide early education to every child by 2030 and in Rwanda every village will have a centre for early childhood development.

Imbuto Foundation which usually supports children’s education and welfare commended the signed partnership.

Imbuto Foundation’s deputy country director, John Ntigengwa, said that building parents’ capacity in raising children is so important and pledged more efforts to build up good foundations for children’s education and welfare.