Children in Kimisagara are using their school holidays to discover new talents and learn life skills through activities at Imbuto Hub, as parents seek safe and constructive spaces for them during the break.

The Active Holidays programme, which ended on Friday, August 28, brought together 162 children aged between eight and 13 for sports, traditional dance and lessons on discipline, respect, environmental protection, and the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

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Children have access to the different facilities at the new facility, including playgrounds for different sports, a gymnasium, computer lab, library, play equipment, a community art gallery and a main hall. The centre also has spaces where young people can learn vocational skills such as hairdressing, weaving and tailoring.

Tadeo Talemwa, the coordinator of Imbuto Hub Kimisagara Maison de Jeunes, said the programme was designed to give children constructive activities during holidays and weekends.

"The idea was to support children during the holidays and on other days when they are not in school, such as weekends,” he said.

The programme initially targeted 100 children, but the number increased to 162 as more parents sought to enrol their children.

"We said that we could not turn away a Rwandan child. We continued accommodating them because parents kept bringing their children and asking us to teach them,” Talemwa said.

The programme was organised by HIB with support from the Imbuto Foundation, which built the centre.

The activities at the hub were not only about keeping children busy during the holidays.

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Talemwa said the centre also gives children an opportunity to discover abilities that may not always emerge in the classroom.

"At school they learn subjects such as mathematics and physics, but when they come here, we help them discover other talents,” he said.

"This is where we can identify a good volleyball player, handball player or someone with talent in other areas.”

Brice Ndayishimye Shumbusho, a Primary Six pupil at GS Kimisagara, said he enjoyed the different activities and the opportunity to meet other children at the center.

"I learned many sports here, including traditional dance, football, volleyball, basketball and other games,” he said.

"They taught us discipline, to respect both older and younger people, and to care for the environment,” he said.

The programme also teaches children about the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse.

Benitha Ishimwe, a Senior Two student at GS Kimisagara, said she enjoyed the activities, particularly traditional dance, and appreciated the coaches for their care and friendly approach.

Parents said they had also noticed changes in their children after they started attending the programme.

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Solange Uwizeye, Benitha’s mother, said her daughter became happier, more confident and more outgoing.

She said her daughter also developed an interest in basketball and traditional dance.

"She would often ask me, ‘What time am I going?’” Uwizeye said.

Josée Mukamana, the mother of Shumbusho, said the programme has also made it easier for her to go about her daily activities without worrying about leaving her son alone at home.

Before the programme, Mukamana said she would leave Shumbusho at home with instructions to lock the door and not open it for anyone.

"I would leave home worried, running my errands quickly so that I could return,” she said.

She said Shumbusho has become more outgoing and now looks forward to attending the hub.

"At 5 a.m., he wakes up and I find him already preparing to have a bath. I ask him, ‘Why did you wake up so early?’ and he says, ‘I don’t want to be late,’” Mukamana said.

Plan to establish hubs in all districts

The programme is part of a wider plan by the Imbuto Foundation to establish youth centres across all 30 districts.

Elodie Shami, Director General at Imbuto Foundation, said Kimisagara is one of two Imbuto Hubs that have already been built, alongside the facility in Bugesera.

The centres are intended to give children and young people spaces where they can learn, play, socialise and develop their talents.

"Across all 30 districts, we want to establish centres where children can come together, learn different things, entertain themselves and take part in sports,” Shami said.

The Imbuto Hub in Bugesera inaugurated by First Lady Jeannette Kagame in July has a public library, ICT laboratory, daycare centre, health services, vocational training facilities and sports grounds.

Construction of similar hubs is underway in Rwamagana, Kicukiro, Gasabo and Muhanga.

Shami said the foundation wants children who use the hubs to discover their abilities and develop them while also learning values that can help them contribute to the country.

"Here, they can play basketball, learn public speaking and develop other talents,” she said.

"We hope those talents will grow here, so that one day we can say, ‘This child grew up at Imbuto Hub Kimisagara.’”

She also urged parents to reinforce at home the lessons children receive at the hub, particularly those on avoiding drugs and alcohol, reproductive health and responsible behaviour.

"Let us continue working together. Let them come here after school and continue learning,” Shami said.

"Let us work together towards the same goal and protect the wellbeing of our children, because they are the Rwanda of tomorrow.”