BK Foundation, the philanthropic arm of BK Group, together with Shelter Them Foundation, opened a new Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Family Centre in Gateko Cell, Nyarugenge Sector, Bugesera District. The centre was officially opened on October 17, 2025, and supports BK Foundation’s goal to improve education and community well-being in Rwanda. It can host over 100 children, including those with disabilities, and features five spacious classrooms, a modern kitchen, and a vegetable garden that supports nutritious meals for learners. Designed to promote holistic child development, the centre integrates education, health, hygiene, nutrition, and play into daily routines. The Vice Mayor of Bugesera District in charge of Social Affairs, Yvette Imanishimwe, said the new centre will help reduce stunting and malnutrition among children. “This centre will play a vital role in improving children’s well-being and reducing stunting in our district,” she noted. It is one of the five model centres in Bugesera District, which now hosts 1,659 Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilities serving more than 56,000 children. Ingrid Karangwayire, Executive Secretary of BK Foundation, emphasised that the partnership with Shelter Them goes beyond infrastructure—it strengthens families and communities. “This investment is not only improving children’s learning conditions but also transforming livelihoods. When a child thrives, the entire family advances,” she said. “We are proud to contribute to an ecosystem where education, care, and community empowerment intersect.” Karangwayire highlighted that BK Foundation continues to expand access to quality education, having supported over 1,000 students through scholarships and mentorship programmes since 2023. Parents in Gateko have already seen tangible change. Consolee Nyirahabimana, whose three-year-old daughter attends the new centre, shared how the facility transformed community attitudes. “Before, many parents believed only seven-year-olds should start school,” she said. “Now, we see our children learning, eating well, and growing healthy. It has changed how we think about education.” Beyond childcare, the project empowers parents economically. More than 50 parents, mostly mothers, are now organised into cooperatives engaged in weaving, agriculture, and other small businesses. They also receive training in modern parenting and nutrition. Florentine Mukankomeje, a member of the weaving group, said: “We earn an income while our children learn safely. I can now buy soap and food for my family. Life has improved.” Founded in 2005 by twin sisters Josephine Bukuru Higiro and Joselyne Butoya, Shelter Them Foundation has grown from caring for a handful of vulnerable children to managing a full-scale community hub. Its expansion was catalysed after President Paul Kagame, during Rwanda Day in Canada (2013), donated land in Bugesera to support the organisation’s mission. Bukuru expressed gratitude for the collaboration, describing it as a continuation of that vision. “We began by rescuing children, but today we empower entire families,” she said. “With BK Foundation’s partnership, we are ensuring that children grow in environments filled with care, creativity, and opportunity.” Assumpta Ingabire, Director General of the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), praised both organisations for their shared commitment to improving early childhood development services nationwide. “Partnerships like this one are essential to achieving Rwanda’s goal of ensuring every child grows up in a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment,” she said. The Gateko ECD Centre stands as a symbol of community-driven transformation where learning meets care, and where every child is given the strongest start in life.
