INZOZI ZE INITIATIVE

Education is more than the acquisition of academic knowledge. It is an important foundation for a child's confidence, social development, resilience, decision-making abilities, sense of purpose, and ability to participate meaningfully in society.

However, access to education does not automatically mean that every child is able to remain in school and progress successfully. Children from financially vulnerable families may struggle to obtain essential learning materials, meet school-related costs, or maintain consistent participation in education. These challenges can interrupt a child's educational journey and may also affect their confidence, emotional well-being, and perception of their future.

Recent data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), through the EICV7 2023/24 Education Thematic Report, shows that Rwanda's Net Attendance Rate (NAR) for primary-school children aged 6–11 was 92.8% nationally. However, Kayonza District recorded a lower primary NAR of 89.2%, meaning that the district still faces a gap in ensuring that all children of primary-school age are consistently engaged in education.

The same NISR data shows that financial circumstances remain an important barrier to educational participation. Among respondents who were not attending school, 13.7% identified financial reasons as the primary reason, while 2.4% of those who delayed starting school cited school costs such as uniforms and stationery.

NISR's Statistical Yearbook also reports a national primary-school dropout rate of 6.8% in the 2021/22 school year, demonstrating that although Rwanda has made significant progress in access to education, maintaining children's continuity in school remains an important challenge.

Furthermore, EICV7 reports that 21% of children who attended primary school during the 2022/23 academic year repeated the same grade in 2023/24. The repetition rate was even higher among children from the poorest socioeconomic quintile, reaching 26%, compared with 11% among the wealthiest quintile. This highlights how socioeconomic disadvantage can continue to influence children's educational progression.

These findings reinforce the need for community-based interventions that do not only encourage children to attend school, but also help vulnerable children overcome some of the practical barriers that may prevent them from remaining and progressing in education.

It is within this context that Umurunga Family, under its Youth Mental Health and Youth Empowerment pillars, is launching the INZOZI ZE INITIATIVE, beginning with an activity for vulnerable primary-school children in Kayonza District.

Although Rwanda has achieved high levels of primary-school participation, gaps in educational continuity remain. The NISR EICV7 findings show that primary-school attendance is not uniform across the country, with Kayonza recording a 89.2% Net Attendance Rate compared with the national rate of 92.8%.

For children living in financially vulnerable households, seemingly basic educational requirements such as school materials, uniforms, and other school-related costs can become significant barriers. NISR's EICV7 data identifies financial reasons as 13.7% of reported primary causes of not attending school and identifies school costs among the reasons for delayed school entry.

When a child drops out of school or struggles to remain engaged in education, the consequences can extend beyond academic learning. Educational disruption may limit opportunities for social development, confidence-building, skills development, and preparation for adulthood. For a child already experiencing financial insecurity, these circumstances may also contribute to stress, uncertainty, reduced hope, and challenges to their psychosocial well-being.

This is particularly important from a Youth Mental Health perspective. Mental well-being begins developing during childhood, and children need environments in which they feel supported, valued, hopeful, and capable of imagining a positive future.

Therefore, supporting vulnerable children to remain connected to education is not simply an educational intervention; it can also contribute to creating conditions that support their confidence, resilience, sense of belonging, and long-term well-being.

The challenge is therefore not only keeping children in school, but helping them remain supported while they learn, grow, and build hope for their future.

Umurunga Family believes that education and mental well-being are deeply interconnected.

A child who has the opportunity to learn, access the materials they need, feel supported by their community, and believe in their own potential is better positioned to develop confidence, resilience, and hope.

Under the Youth Mental Health pillar, the initiative seeks to address some of the practical barriers that may contribute to educational disruption while creating an environment of encouragement, belonging, and hope.

Under the Youth Empowerment pillar, the initiative recognizes that empowerment begins early. Supporting children at primary-school level gives them a stronger foundation to develop their abilities, continue their education, become self-reliant, and eventually contribute positively to their families and communities.

Our belief is simple: "INZOZI ZE INITIATIVE." Educated Minds, Bright Futures

The first phase will focus on primary-school children, particularly:

• Children in Primary 4 and a smaller number in Primary 5.
• Children approximately 9–12 years old.
• Children from financially vulnerable households.
• Children who have previously dropped out or are at risk of dropping out.
• Children who are currently attending school but face significant financial barriers affecting their education.

Priority will be given to children whose educational continuity is particularly vulnerable because of their socioeconomic circumstances.

The first implementation of the initiative will take place on:

The activity will bring together Umurunga Family members, participating children, school representatives, and relevant stakeholders.

The intervention will focus on providing educational support while reinforcing messages around hope, confidence, resilience, mental well-being, and the importance of education.

This initiative is not intended to be a one-day charity activity.

The activity on 15 September 2026 represents the beginning of a longer-term commitment by Umurunga Family Organisation to support selected children's educational journeys.

Following the initial intervention, Umurunga Family intends to maintain appropriate follow-up with beneficiaries, monitor their educational progress, understand continuing challenges, and provide further support where resources allow.

Our long-term vision is to grow the initiative year after year, reaching more vulnerable children while maintaining a strong focus on education, mental well-being, empowerment, and long-term impact.

We do not want to simply give a child a school bag today. We want to help create the conditions in which that child can stay in school, believe in themselves, complete their education, and eventually become someone who creates impact in their community.

The success and sustainability of this initiative will depend on collaboration with individuals, organizations, institutions, schools, donors, volunteers, and other stakeholders who believe in children's education, mental well-being, and empowerment.

We welcome support through:

• Financial contributions.
• School supplies and educational materials.
• Sponsorship of beneficiaries.
• Technical expertise.
• Psychosocial and educational support.
• Mentorship and follow-up.
• Institutional partnerships.
• Networking and advocacy.

Every contribution can help a child remain on their educational journey and move closer to a brighter future.

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, dream, and build a better future.

For children living in financially vulnerable circumstances, the inability to access or continue education can create barriers that extend far beyond school. Supporting them today can help protect their educational journey while contributing to their confidence, resilience, mental well-being, and future independence.

Through the Inzozi Ze Initiative, Umurunga Family seeks to take a practical step toward connecting education, Youth Mental Health, and Youth Empowerment.

The activity scheduled for 15 September 2026 at GS Mukarange Catholic School in Kayonza District is the beginning of this commitment.

INZOZI ZE INITIATIVE. Educated minds, Bright Futures.