A new model Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Family Centre been inaugurated in Masaka Sector, Kicukiro District, on Thursday, October 9, marking another initiative to improve Rwanda’s continued efforts to strengthen early childhood care and family support systems. ALSO READ: How ECDs, mothers’ rooms are improving working conditions, children’s wellbeing The centre, established through a partnership between Imbuto Foundation, the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), and Mount Kigali University, was unveiled a year after the foundation stone was laid in August 2024. The facility, which hosts 169 children under six years old, provides a safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment. Beyond childcare, it also serves as a place for parents and caregivers to access guidance and training in nutrition, parenting, and family well-being. The six-room centre is fully equipped with learning materials, a play area, clean water facilities, a rest room, and a first-aid corner for emergencies. It also features a meeting room for parents’ gatherings, a kitchen, and a demonstration garden where parents are taught how to grow vegetables and prepare nutritious meals. ALSO READ: ECDs: The inspirational story of alternative childcare “The kitchen enables us to guide parents on better ways to prepare nutritious meals that complement what the children eat here at the ECD centre,” said Stephanie Uwantege, who oversees the facility. “Once every month, we invite parents for discussions to promote the children’s wellbeing and to train them on how to prepare balanced meals at home.” The facility operates under the government’s broader plan to strengthen Early Childhood Development services and combat malnutrition, with parents contributing a small amount of money to the breakfast served daily to the children. At the centre, children spend their days engaged in educational activities, from classroom lessons and songs to games designed to stimulate their minds. These activities help them develop discipline and gradually adapt to a structured school environment. Uwantege noted that the initiative has eased the burden on many working parents who previously had no nearby facilities for their young children. “Before, most parents had to wait until their children turned five or six to start school, often walking distances to institutions that were not suitable for their age,” she said. “Now, children can learn, play, and grow in an environment that truly responds to their needs.” ALSO READ: How ECD centres are boosting nutrition in Nyaruguru District Adeline Niragira, a parent whose daughter attends the ECD centre, emphasized the progress she has witnessed since enrolling her. “Before this facility, we had no such opportunity as parents. But now, we are all benefiting,” Niragira said. “When I brought my daughter here, she could hardly speak. Now she expresses herself confidently, plays with others, and is more active at home. This centre has transformed her learning and social interaction.” Niragira, who also serves as the vice president of the parents’ committee, pledged commitment to the centre’s success. “As parents, we see the results already,” she said. “We will continue to support this centre so that it grows and benefits many more children in our community.” ALSO READ: Rwanda Police plans mothers’ rooms, ECDs for women officers Speaking during the launch, Elodie Shami, the Director General of Imbuto Foundation, reflected on the organization’s journey since opening its first ECD centre in 2013. She highlighted the progress made over the years and the power of collaboration in shaping a generation of confident, capable children. “Since then, with the steadfast support of the government and our partners, we have watched this vision take root and flourish,” Shami said. “Across the country, more children are now stepping into nurturing spaces where they can learn, play, and dream. Parents and caregivers are gaining the knowledge and confidence to guide them with care and affection.” She noted that ECD centres go beyond basic education and promote the nurturing of healthy members of the society. “In centres like this one, children are not only learning letters and numbers, but they are also learning curiosity, joy, and trust,” Shami said. “They are being nourished, protected, and inspired to see the world as a place full of opportunities.” Reaffirming Imbuto Foundation’s dedication to advancing early childhood development, Shami emphasized that investing in the early years contributes to the country’s future. “When we nurture a child today, we shape the kind of adult they become, responsible citizens who live with purpose and serve with integrity,” she said. “Let us continue planting seeds of growth and hope so that these children will stand tall tomorrow, inspiring the generations that follow.” ALSO READ: How is Rwanda boosting exclusive breastfeeding for working mothers? Assumpta Ingabire, the Director General of NCDA, expressed her gratitude to First Lady Jeannette Kagame, the founder of Imbuto Foundation, for spearheading the introduction of ECDs in Rwanda. “Her vision in 2013 laid the foundation for the national ECD policy established in 2016,” she said. “Because of her leadership and continuous support, we are now witnessing tangible results. Although there is still work ahead, we are moving steadily in the right direction.” Data from the 2022 National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) show that Masaka Sector, one of 10 sectors in Kicukiro District, saw its number of households rise from 35,000 to more than 72,000 in 10 years. For Antoine Mutsinzi, Kicukiro District Executive Administrator, this rapid growth underscores the urgent need for adequate infrastructure to support the increasing population, including facilities for children. “The rapid population growth in this sector calls for essential infrastructure to facilitate sustainable development. I want to extend my sincere appreciation for the establishment of this facility, which comes at a timely moment to benefit parents and their children in this community,” Mutsinzi said. ALSO READ: MPs push for ECDs at workplaces Simon Gicharu, the Founder and Chairman of Mount Kigali University, which is affiliated with Mount Kenya University, described the project as a shared responsibility in shaping Rwanda’s future. “We are not just contributing financially, we are investing in the future of education,” Gicharu said. “When children are nurtured from the beginning, they grow into learners who are ready for universities like ours, and for life itself.” On the same day, Mount Kigali University handed over a contribution of Rwf150 million to Imbuto Foundation in support of the establishment of another ECD centre in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District, where the foundation stone was laid on Thursday.
