COVID-19 Coronavirus Update
Dear TWB Family,
The past few weeks have felt unlike any other. I have watched COVID-19 spread to Europe, the Americas, and now East Africa. Rwanda is already seeing a rapid rise in positive tests. The government has mobilized with prevention campaigns as well as closure of all schools, dine-in restaurants, group gatherings, and the airport.
Because COVID-19 is a highly infectious virus and one that disproportionately impacts people with underlying health conditions, our bakery operations team in Rwanda is in danger. Therefore, I have made the difficult decision to pause all bakery operations for 30 days, beginning Saturday, March 21st through Monday, April 20th, 2020.
The bakeries are a central part of the lives of our team members. For the next month (and an unknown period beyond), many aspects of our lives - in the US and in Rwanda - will be significantly disrupted. As is true for the rest of the world, this is an unwelcome and unwanted disruption. However, we stand together as a team, committed to supporting and protecting one another during these difficult times.
How are we supporting our team?
During these 30 days, all team members will be paid their salaries.
Bakery Operations Managers and the Social Impact Department will be checking in with our women bakers daily to provide up-to-date and accurate information about COVID-19.
Everyone on the Rwanda-based team will receive a 30 day supply of beans and rice (or other dried goods) to prepare for a possible food shortage.
Temporarily pausing our operations is the best way to flatten the curve of COVID-19 and the best way to keep our team safe. I encourage all of you - our supporters and our team - to take every precaution to keep yourselves healthy.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to TWB. You are the reason TWB is as strong as it is. Continue to show each other and our communities your strength and support. We are together – Turikumwe.
Working together, we can rise above the Coronavirus!
Sincerely,
Markey Culver
CEO | The Women's Bakery
P.S. I will be sending updates in the coming weeks to keep you informed about the status of our bakeries as well as ways to stay engaged!