Children in a nursery class Rwanda
VSO/Tim Maynard

Rwanda

We've worked in Rwanda since 1998, building healthy communities and strengthening inclusive education systems. We're currently active right across the country, in all 30 districts.

4,000,000

We're reaching 4 million children through our inclusive education work.

2,150

In 2018-19, we empowered 2,150 young people to access the sexual and reproductive health information they're entitled to.

2,600

Our Building Learning Foundations programme is supporting 2,600 primary schools to improve their pupils' basic education.

Healthy communities

Two young Rwandan men sit outside on chairs and converse using Rwandan Sign Language

Young National Volunteers help share information on sexual and reproductive health and rights with their peers.

In Nyagatare District, we're supporting young people aged 10-25 to take control of their sexual and reproductive lives. Our work focuses on Deaf young people, as well as teenage parents and those with drug or alcohol issues. Through a peer-to-peer approach, including National Volunteers with disabilities, we're engaging healthcare providers and decision makers, ensuring that sexual and reproductive health services become more accessible to all young people.

Over the past year we've empowered 2,150 young people to access the care they're entitled to.

Ensuring Deaf young people aren't excluded from sexual and reproductive health services

Inclusive education

Children at Ngwino Nawe school in Rwanda | VSO

We're supporting even the most hard-to-reach children access the quality primary education they deserve.

Through the far-reaching Building Learning Foundations programme, we're training and mentoring teachers and school leaders to improve learner-centred basic education, ensuring that all young children can leave primary school with a functional level of literacy and numeracy. We're focusing on the children who are most often left behind - including those with disabilities or learning difficulties, or who live in the most remote and hard-to-reach areas of Rwanda.

As part of a consortium led by the Education Development Trust, we will reach 4 million children, by engaging with all 2,600 government-funded primary schools in the country.

Building Learning Foundations

Building on our work on the Building Learning Foundations programme, Twigire Mumikino Rwanda (TMR), or ‘Let’s Learn Through Play’ promotes play-based learning as  the foundation of early childhood education for three to six year-olds in Rwanda. By working with schools, parents, communities and decision makers, the project seeks to ensure the value of play as an educational tool Play is at the heart of how children understand the world, build relationships and learn valuable life skills.

Twigire Mumikino Rwanda is a four-year project funded by the Lego Foundation running from 2021 to 2025. During this time we will reach 250,000 children by engaging with teachers, school leaders and parents.

Let’s Learn Through Play (Twigire Mumikino Rwanda)

UK aid logo

Contact us

We work with a number of partners including UNICEF, Education Development Trust (EDT), the British Council, and the Rwanda Education Board.

If you are interested in supporting our work, or if you have another query, get in touch:

Contact: Franklin Murangira, VSO Rwanda Chief of Party.
Address: VSO Rwanda, P.O. box 4599, KG 625 Street, House N 12, Kimihurura Sector, Imihigo Village, Gasabo District, Kigali
Telephone: +250 788 383326
Skype: mfranklin2

Volunteer with us

We are always looking for more skilled specialists, particularly in the area of inclusive education.

Find out more about volunteering with us in Rwanda


Find out more about our work in:

Regina Mwaba sharing her story and encouragement to some young girls inside the Youth Friendly Space at Mbabala Clinic.
Chosa Mweemba

Inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights

Supporting the most vulnerable people to realise their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Children using tablet computers on the VSO Malawi Unlocking Talent project

Education system strengthening

Developing inclusive education systems that leave no child behind.

Latest stories from Rwanda

From school drop-out to superstar: How Elias saved 45 children's education

Elias Musabyimana was just ten years old when he survived the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis. It left him deeply traumatised - but determined to dedicate his time, skills and energy to making a better world.

Screengrab from Brown film

Watch Brown – a film by volunteers Brown Niyonsaba and Justin Spray

Brown is a heart-warming film by VSO community volunteer, Brown Niyonsaba and volunteer filmmaker, Justin Spray that explores the question 'what does it mean to be a Deaf woman in Rwanda?' Watch the film here.

Children playing. Nyamasheke, Rwanda.
VSO/Mussa

Levelling the playing field in early learning - Let's Learn Through Play

Here volunteer Anisa Hay from the USA talks about her role on our ‘Let’s Learn Through Play’ programme in Rwanda. The programme is funded by the Lego Foundation and promotes play-based learning as the foundation of early childhood education.