UNICEF and tea maker SORWATHE signed an agreement aimed at scaling up access to early childhood development (ECD) services and preprimary education for children neighbouring tea factories and plantations in Gicumbi and Rulindo districts, on Friday. The initiative is expected to benefit at least 4, 500 households composed of farmers, factory workers, and surrounding communities.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognise that early childhood development can help drive the transformation of countries. What UNICEF and SORWATHE are doing should be emulated by other organizations in their respective areas of operation.

Such partnerships enhance and boost community services to the vulnerable like poor and children. Good childhood development ensures that children grow up normally to become productive citizens of the country- a critical factor in national development.

Therefore, much as there are efforts by government to ensure that early childhood development is a right of every child, a lot more needs to be done to make this a reality for every child in Rwanda. That is why other stake holders should give government a hand.

Children deserve a childhood that is free from disease and hunger, and a childhood that gives them their right to education.

However, more sensistisation should be conducted about the rights of children. Leaders, especially at the grassroots level, must ensure that the rights of children are respected by everyone.

Across the country we still have cases of child abuse. Many children are subjected to domestic labour, instead of being in school. Others are tourtured by their own parents while many also don’t get the basic nutrition leading to malnutrition.

Children are the future of any society. Let’s join efforts and give them a decent childhood. This can only be possible if the private sector plays a pro active role.