Imbuto Foundation and Mount Kigali University have laid the foundation for an Early Childhood Development and Family (ECD&F) Centre in Masaka sector, Kicukiro District. This will bring to 17 the number of such centres established in the country by the foundation. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 22, 2024.

This centre will play a crucial role in supporting the holistic development of children aged 0 to 6 years old. It will provide education, health, nutrition, hygiene, and child protection services, alongside a comprehensive parenting programme to ensure a nurturing environment for children at home and in their communities.

Imbuto Foundation Director General, Elodie Shami, vowed that they will "continue the scale up initiative of Model ECD Centres in the remaining 13 districts.”

Mount Kigali University founder and chairman, Prof. Simon Gicharu, said the university is proud to contribute Rwf150 million towards this critical project.

Prof. Gicharu remarked that the partners were, in essence, "laying the foundation for a brighter future for children, communities, and the nation.”

He added: "In addition to providing education, Mount Kigali University actively engages in community-based outreach programmes to drive positive change through mutually beneficial partnerships. Like the roots of a tree that spread to protect it from disaster and support its growth, we follow a similar path by fostering community initiatives that are both extensive and transformative. Some of our projects include helping vulnerable children, youth, and families.”

The groundbreaking event was attended by Masaka sector officials and other government leaders who praised the project as a worthwhile venture that will benefit the community.

Deputy District Executive Administrator, Monique Huss, said the centre is in line with the government’s drive to develop the country’s people.

Huss pointed out that human development is among the five pillars of Rwanda’s Vision 2050, the national strategy that seeks to promote economic growth, prosperity and high quality of life for Rwandans.

"This pillar has three priorities and universal access to high quality education is among them,” she said.

She expressed her belief that the ECD will play a fundamental role in the national quest to achieve that vision "through this kind of collaboration and partnership,” adding, "We are grateful for this achievement.”

The Director General of the National Child Development Agency (NCDA) Assumpta Ingabire, said the new ECD facility will serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity for children in this community.

She added that it will "provide them with the tools and support they need to develop cognitively, emotionally, and socially, which are essential elements for their future success.”

While thanking all the partners involved in the initiative, Ingabire said it is "a reminder of our responsibility to invest in the early years of a child’s life, because by doing so, we invest in the future of our nation.”

The Masaka District Model ECD&F Centre is the latest in collaborative projects undertaken by Imbuto Foundation and Mount Kigali University to ostensibly unlock growth opportunities for Rwandan children.

The two institutions began collaborating in February 2018 when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Mount Kigali University which was by then known as Mount Kenya University Rwanda, pledged to contribute USD 150,000 to Imbuto Foundation over a five-year period.

The money went towards educating 100 vulnerable children in secondary school. Additionally, under this agreement, the university offered scholarships to five bright young girls.

The two partners renewed their agreement in February 2022 following the expiration of the initial one, with Mount Kigali University raising its annual contribution to USD 175,000.

Still on training, Prof. Gicharu says the university urges the Imbuto Foundation to identify young Rwandans who have completed high school to be trained in short courses at Kigali Paramount Hotel.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Prof. Gicharu announced that the university is about to open its hospitality training hotel, Kigali Paramount Hotel.