Save the Children supported Literacy Boost Project handed over to the Government for sustainability.

By Elysee Niyigena

 “I am always happy to bring my child to a school with well-trained teacher, a school that also engages children in fun learning activities”, said an excited Jeannette, a mother of Teresa, 7-year-old.  

“My wife was advised by the Head of our Village about the good education at this Primary School”, stated another happy husband, Lambert. Him and other parents at the Kinjonjo Primary School enjoy to bring their children to school because their children like it.  

Kinjonjo Primary School is one of the 103 schools that benefited from Save the Children supported literacy boost project for the last five years, and officially handed over to the government of Rwanda in December 2017. Through training, supply of age-appropriate reading materials, the project reached 101,377 Children, 1431Teachers, 130 Head Teachers/Education leaders, 43,456 Parents, 2,790 Local Leaders, and 241 Book Sector Actors.

“Thanks to Save the Children that we have now well trained teachers that support children’s learning. We have well stocked reading corners in every class of primary one to three. Parents are happy to send children here and the number of students is increasing”, stated Daphrosa Mukashema, the School Head Teacher.

The Government of Rwanda with support from Save the Children contributed to the creation of a conducive environment for all children to learn, and strengthen alliances with the local community to help ensure learning, protection and wellbeing of their children.

“Before Save the Children coming to Gicumbi, there was a high rate of children dropping out of school, and there was no conducive learning environment for children. We are happy that children like it here now. I am positive that this will go a long way in improving the quality of education for our children” concluded the Head teacher.

“We grateful that the project has contributed to the reduction of school dropouts. The project is phasing out today, but we are not leaving Gicumbi as an organization.  We have other projects contributing to the education of children in this district and around the country”, Philippe Adapoe, Country Director, Save the Children Rwanda.

 “We are thankful to Save the Children for their contribution. We will work hard so that what has been achieved through Literacy Boost is sustained. We believe in long lasting and sustainable actions. Literacy improving interventions are important in advancing the vision of our country. We all want to see a Rwanda where every child can read and write in our language perfectly”, noted David Nkurunziza, Director of Good Governance, Northern Province, and represented the government of Rwanda during the handover ceremony.