Hello from Rwanda

Muraho mwese (Hello everyone)! 

I’m Diane Uwamahirwe from Rwanda - a small but beautiful country about the same size as Wales. Known as the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’, Rwanda is blessed with lush green mountains, volcanoes, lakes and an abundance of wildlife - including our famous mountain gorillas. If you ever have the chance to visit, I think you’d love it. 

But despite the natural beauty, getting a good education isn’t something every child can count on here. When I was a little girl, I faced a lot of challenges with my schooling. Both my parents died by the time I was eight, and my wider family didn’t believe education was for girls. I didn’t always have the support I needed, but I still loved learning. 

I remember my dad’s words before he died: “In the future, you can’t live if you don’t learn.” That’s always stayed with me – and it’s one of the reasons I wanted to work in education. I’ve been supporting children with special educational needs for several years now, so when I heard about VSO’s work here, I knew I wanted to be part of it.

Why your support matters  

Here in Rwanda, too many children still miss out on the start in life they deserve. I’ve seen little ones arrive at school already struggling because they didn’t get the right support early on. I heard that only a quarter of 3–6-year-olds are enrolled in pre-school - and many children have to repeat their first year of primary school because they haven’t had the chance to build strong learning foundations. 

I know what it feels like to start school without the support you need. It’s even harder for children with disabilities or those from poorer families or rural areas. Teachers do their best, but classes can be huge - with as many as 200 pupils - and there aren’t always enough resources or training.

Every day that young children are left behind in learning, their future opportunities narrow, their talents remain locked up and they stay trapped in a harmful cycle of poverty.

That’s why I’m so proud to be part of our work to improve early-education here – and why your support is so important.

Building brighter futures through play

As a VSO volunteer, I’m helping to embed play-based learning into early childhood education so that children aged 3 - 6 grow up as curious, confident and engaged learners.  

The idea of learning through play isn’t widely understood in Rwandan schools. It’s still common for young children to be taught in a very formal way - sitting quietly, copying from the board, or repeating what the teacher says. 

But play isn’t just fun - it’s one of the most powerful ways for young children to learn. Through play, children build crucial social and emotional skills like collaboration, problem-solving and empathy. It also develops concentration, memory and motor skills - and can even help reduce anxiety and challenging behaviour.   

In my role, I train teachers to use storytelling, puzzles, role-play and games to spark creativity and support different learning styles. I also work with families and community members - helping them see how play supports a child’s development, not just academically, but socially and emotionally too.    

Importantly, I support teachers, school leaders and parents to create learning environments where all children - including those with disabilities or learning difficulties - have the chance to thrive. 

One of my favourite moments recently was supporting a group of teachers to adapt their lesson plans to better include children with special educational needs. Their commitment and creativity really moved me. Another highlight was getting the chance to take part in Rwanda’s National Conference on Autism - an inspiring event where we shared ideas on how we can best support children with additional needs.  

There are still challenges, but change is happening. Right now, we’re laying the educational foundations that will give all children – regardless of their background or ability - the chance for a better future. I can already see the difference in the students I work with. Your amazing support is making this possible.

The impact you’re making: Meet Ella and Nadine

One of the children I’ve worked closely with is Ella, a bright and imaginative four-year-old who lives with her mum, grandmother and uncle. When I first met Ella, she wasn’t enjoying school. With 50 children in her class and no toys or materials to engage her, she often felt bored and left out. “Before, I didn’t have things to play with, so I didn’t like to come {to school}” she told me.

But since VSO arrived at her school, everything has changed. We brought toys and learning resources and trained her teacher in inclusive play-based techniques. Now, Ella can’t wait to go to school. “I like learning and going to school because my teacher gives me and my friends toys to play with,” she says. 

Her favourite activities are playing cards, role-playing with her doll and guessing words with her friends. “I had so much fun and was happy with my friend,” she told me with a big smile. Most of all, Ella is proud of how much she’s learning. “I want to become a professor when I grow up so I can teach children too.”

Her mother, Nadine, has seen a huge change in Ella too. “Unbelievably, my daughter remembers everything, and she speaks very well,” she told me. “I want her to reach where I couldn’t get myself.” Nadine didn’t have the chance to go to school beyond age 13 because her parents couldn’t afford the fees. But she’s determined that Ella will have more opportunities than she did. 

By laying these crucial learning foundations, children like Ella are far more likely to stay in school and move on to the bright futures they deserve. That’s why these stories stay with me. They remind me why our work here matters – and just how powerful your support truly is.