Parents in Gisenyi, Rubavu District can breathe a sigh of relief after Rwanda Muslim Community opened the doors to the first mosque-based Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD) in the city.

Dubbed ‘Madjengo ECD’, the facility is located at Madjengo Mosque in Gisenyi Sector in the city centre. The ECD will cater for the children aged up to six years regardless of the parents’ religion, according to officials from the Muslim community.

Speaking at the launch ceremony that took place over the weekend, the Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Salim Hitimana, said  that the ECD is the first of its kind to be launched by the Muslim community.

"The Rwanda Muslim Community (RMC) is pleased to play its role in promoting the EDC programme and fighting problems such as stunting, sexual abuse within families, and corporal punishments among other vices that violate child rights,” he said.

Mufti Hitimana (1st Left), Archbishop Antoine Kambanda (3rd Left) assist Dr. Anita Asiimwe to cut a ribbon to mark the innaugural of Madjengo ECD in Rubavu District. / Regis Umurengezi

Madjengo ECD was put in place thanks to the upgrade activities of the rooms that were previously used as the mosque kindergarten through a partnership of the Rwanda Interfaith Council on Health (RICH) and UNICEF.

The Rwf7.5 million ECD, according to officials, currently accommodates 201 children from Rubavu District.

Parents buoyant

Parents have welcomed the development.

"We used to leave our children as we crossed the border to DR Congo for trade. Our children were, therefore, not safe but we can now smile, given that our children will be in the hands of professional caregivers at the ECD,” said Angelique Mukeshimana, a mother of two from Gisenyi Sector.

Kids take a balanced diet during lunch hour at Madjengo ECD. / Regis Umurengezi

The National Early Childhood Development Programme (NECDP) coordinator, Dr Anita Asiimwe, commended the effort of different partners, especially religious based organisations.

"The ECD programme is crucial, we as government do not take this (ECD) for granted because the facility helps to prepare future leaders; early childhood education is the foundation of everything that the government looks to attain,” she said

The country Representative of UNICEF to Rwanda, Ted Maly, reiterated the importance of investing in the early years of a child’s life noting that it leads to the reduction of chronic malnutrition and promotes healthy behaviour in families.

"We know that when children have the best possible start in life, they are much more likely to develop and grow well, succeed in school, and become responsible citizens in adulthood. When children are healthy, vaccinated, well-nourished, and in a nurturing family environment, they can grow and develop to their fullest potential,” he said

"Research and evidence indicate that investment in the early years contributes to both human capital development, and to sustainable economic and social development. In the case of Rwanda, there is no doubt that investing in ECD now is a long term and visionary investment that will help Rwanda realise its 2030 vision of becoming a self-reliant, middle-income country,” added Maly

He stressed that UNICEF has so far trained nearly 40 religious leaders and 150 couples from 10 districts to become advocates of ECD in their communities and these activities have reached over 38,000 people through household visits, couples counselling, and through sermons and other religious teachings that promote children’s rights.

Figures from NECDP indicate that, so far, a total of 4325 ECDs have been built countrywide by the Government and other partners.

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