00:00Music is considered the universal language of mankind.
00:05People meet, celebrate and connect through rhythm and melody.
00:09In Rwanda, music is now being used in a targeted way to drive social change.
00:17I'm on my way to Nyabihu district in a place called Bigogwe.
00:21This trip is part of the Sangona Musika Awards
00:25and today we are expecting to welcome around 5,000 villagers.
00:30Radio journalist Alex Kavukire is the driving force behind the Sangona Musika Tour,
00:36an initiative that brings concerts to more remote parts of the country.
00:40It's three hours to drive to the western region of Rwanda
00:43where he's preparing today's show in Bigogwe.
00:46The distance hurdle isn't unusual in itself.
00:49After all, the festival celebrated its fifth year in 2024.
00:53But the fact that the concert will take place outdoors is.
00:56And that in the rainy season.
01:00To be honest, it's a tough situation for us.
01:03But we are praying.
01:05Praying that God provides us with favorable weather.
01:11Despite the uncertainty of the weather, Alex feels confident it will all go well.
01:15Supporting him is a young professional team committed to making the show a success.
01:20They all travel hundreds of kilometers across the country
01:23to organize a concert that inspires meaningful change in Rwandan society.
01:27Why is music making a difference?
01:29Music plays multiple roles.
01:35Entertaining people comes first, but it also advises and transforms people.
01:42This is one of the reasons why Isang Go and its partners organize concerts at various venues.
01:49Many of them at universities.
01:51The concerts are aimed at young people and go far beyond mere entertainment.
01:55They become an educational platform and convey important health messages such as AIDS prevention.
02:01But why the whole effort during the holiday season?
02:08The festive season often encourages people to seek more entertainment and enjoyment,
02:13which can sometimes lead to risky behaviors like unprotected sex.
02:18Alex and his team have hit a nerve with their educational concerts.
02:24The residents of Big Ogwe are still going about their daily business,
02:28but are eagerly awaiting the evening spectacle.
02:31Alex and his team only have a few hours left to set up the stage and sound system.
02:36The local authorities are supporting the concert as one of the rare opportunities
02:41for the locals to come together for a big festive event.
02:45Very soon, as young people say, this place will be on fire.
02:49This field will be full of people and that's a big win for us.
02:54But just as the first spectators arrive and the show is finally about to start,
02:59it begins to rain.
03:00Will everything fall through now?
03:06Fortunately, things look very different on the other side of the country.
03:10At Niigatara University, another stop on the Isangona Musika Tour,
03:15the indoor event goes off without a hitch.
03:19Here, the audience not only dances, but can also get involved in a completely different way.
03:24The event encourages students to donate blood,
03:27allowing them to contribute to a life-saving cause right at the event.
03:32No factory manufactures blood.
03:34Therefore, it's our responsibility to advocate for and donate blood to those who need it.
03:39Interested donors are informed about HIV-AIDS and tested before donating.
03:44The mobile booth at the concert is part of the success of the campaign.
03:48It would be very difficult to go door to door convincing people to donate blood.
03:55But when there is an event like this, it becomes much easier to spread the message.
04:01Now I feel good.
04:03I have no problem.
04:05I'm happy.
04:06Back in Begogwe, where late at night, Alex sets off on the long journey home.
04:11After a rainy event, a rained-out concert, had all his efforts been in vain?
04:16We are confident that our message was well delivered to those who came.
04:23So all in all, how did the whole event turn out?
04:27While some musical talents rocked the stage...
04:31The police also took part and gave advice on avoiding drug use,
04:37as well as promoting road safety.
04:45Always walk on the left side of the road, facing the direction of oncoming traffic.
04:51At the end of the show, not only did the rain stop,
04:53but the well-known singer Bouchali captivated the crowd with his performance.
04:58For him, music is more than just entertainment.
05:00It's an essential part of life.
05:03There is no one in the world who doesn't need music.
05:06Whether it is a president, a medical doctor or a patient.
05:11The Isangona Musika Tour in Rwanda uses the positive power of music
05:15to get young people interested in social issues,
05:18such as health promotion and risk management.
05:21Because music is simply the best way to bring about change.
05:30No?
05:36No, no, no.
05:40Why?
05:41It's so disappointing to me well as a beauty.
05:47All I have is leaning to do is rejections,
05:50which means the clarityJulievich has been becoming better.
05:54Sometimes' Problem stays where sweaters themselves,
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