This Initiative will redevelop secondary schools in Rwanda’s Bugesera district, where ethnic conflict has crippled educational services. The Rwandan government has mandated primary schooling for all children, but Bugesera has few secondary schools, and those that are operating lack electricity, clean water, sanitation, adequate classroom space, textbooks, teaching materials and qualified teachers.

To remove obstacles to effective education, proven local organizations will:

• Expand classrooms to accommodate more children
• Train teachers to enhance their knowledge and instruction skills
• Equip schools, dormitories, kitchens, latrines and libraries with supplies
  and materials

This Initiative will provide well-equipped facilities and train teachers so more

Rwandan students can access secondary school. This investment will measurably improve the lives of 20,000 people, at a cost per life changed of about $35.

Initiative Profile »

Rwandans are still recovering from the 1994 genocide. One million children lack access to education and the government mandate of free primary school education for all children has left some communities struggling to enact the required changes. Free primary education remains out of reach for youth who cannot afford school supplies and uniforms. The policy has increased primary school enrollment, but only 15.8 percent of students who complete primary school can access secondary education.

One of Central Africa’s most densely populated areas, Bugesera has become further crowded by refugees from Burundi and Tanzania as well as the return of Rwandans who fled ethnic strife. Bugesera residents also suffer from malnutrition, HIV and preventable diseases such as malaria at rates among the region’s highest, says Dr. Vincent Rusanganwa, district medical officer. 

Widespread illiteracy is a primary cause of the district’s health problems, says Antoine Musingizandekwe, district executive secretary.

Educating Bugesera youth is critical to helping them improve their lives and rebuild this war-torn district.

Rwanda in Focus »

Rwanda’s poverty has been decimating educational efforts, an October 2006 Geneva Global study shows. The average school-age child attends fewer than three days a week due to illness and hunger. Girls are often kept home to help with household chores. Schools struggle with a shortage of materials and classes are crowded, with one poorly trained teacher for every 60 to 80 students. Almost half of school buildings are temporary structures, often made of sticks and mud. Many 6- and 7-year-olds travel three or four miles to school.

This Initiative will identify and work with community-based organizations with proven track records in education, including those now working in Bugesera as well as others expanding into the district. Implementers will network and collaborate to share best practices, and work with the government to improve local education and attract qualified teachers.

The Initiative will focus first on expanding classrooms, laboratories, libraries and school materials in existing secondary schools. These efforts will help Bugesera’s poorest youth gain secondary school educations, while improving attendance in secondary schools.

Alex Bazambanza says, “I had lost hope in education and, in general, life. I passed my exams very well, but I was posted by the Ministry of Education in a very far school which required travel and accommodations plus the school fees,” says Alex, who receives school fees and supplies, clothes and a monthly stipend from an organization funded through Geneva Global. “My parents [who earned less than $108 annually] were too poor to afford even paying for my transport, let alone shopping for me, so in my desperate situation I went to Rango Secondary School and requested a vacancy. Looking at my grade, they never hesitated and gave me the vacancy. I did not know what to do next because I knew I could not raise that amount. [I spoke] with the director of the school ... and asked if they would offer me a casual job like cleaning ... or even digging at the school garden to raise money to pay for my education. The director ... told me that the school and [an organization funded through Geneva Global] agreed to take me up as their child and pay for my fees and other school necessities. From there I have never lacked and now I am certain of my future.”