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KURA UMENYE - Education and Care

Child well-being and ability to learn is influenced negatively by a number of factors. These include in particular poverty but also the lack of a stable home and family conflicts. An average family in Rwanda has an income of less than US $1 per day and can therefore not respond adequately to all children's needs. Vulnerable families create unsafe environments for children. Through family strengthening, a remedial learning program and mental health support, this project aims to address these issues.

  • 00,000

    children and youth benefit from the program

  • 000

    public schools are targeted and 480 teacher mentors selected and trained

  • Where
    Bugesera, Rwanda
  • Focus area
    Education
  • Duration
    2022-2025
  • Economy
    DKK 10 million
Prime partner: SOS Children's Villages

Background

According to the National Violence Against Children and Youth Study from 2015/16 in Rwanda, 42% of boys and 26% of girls aged 13-17 have been victims of physical violence, while 12% of girls and 5% of boys aged 13-17 have reported exposure to sexual violence. These factors have a negative influence on children and youth and can hinder their ability to access education and perform well. Children from fragile homes are less likely to be enrolled in education, and more likely to drop out prematurely or to repeat classes. Girls and young women are particularly affected.

The insufficient quality of the education system in Rwanda is another factor that impacts children’s learning negatively. According to education sector statistics, although 98% of children are enrolled in primary school, only 71% complete their primary education; and primary level students score very low in numeracy and literacy exams.

COVID-19 and the following economic crisis has further affected the financial situations of families and has led to a range of problems in the homes, also influencing the children. The school lock-downs have in particular hit vulnerable children who are less likely to return to schools as they reopened. Girls have been exposed to early marriages and to unwanted early pregnancies and sexual abuse during the time out of school.

A holistic approach to address children's needs

KURA UMENYE is built on three thematic pillars that help to promote child well-being. Hempel Foundation primarily supports pillar two. Eight districts have been selected as locations for the project implementations: Gasabo, Bugesera, Kayonza, Rwamagana, Gicumbi, Musanze, Nyamagabe, and Huye.

  1. Family strengthening and reintegration: 1,000 families will be supported through trainings aiming at empowering them with instruments to make well-informed and responsible decisions. Caregivers' capacity will be enhanced training them in parenting skill, conflict resolution, economic empowerment and linkage with social safety nets service providers.
  2. Education through remedial after school program: It offers the possibility of focusing on those students who are lagging behind academically and target teaching at a level that is appropriate for their current level of skills. Remedial teacher mentors reteach core skills, and provide extra support to help students catch up to their peers.
  3. Mental Health, Psychosocial support, Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Rights: Through psychosocial support sessions and guidance, the children will be able to develop problem-solving skills which can help them to deal with the psychological problems affecting and impacting their studies. The project intends to increase access for children, adolescents and young people to these services. Furthermore, young adolescents will be empowered in claiming their sexual and reproductive health rights.