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The Imbuto Foundation officially inaugurated the Masaka Model Early Childhood and Family Centre on Thursday, October 9, 2025, offering a safe space for young children to learn and grow, while providing parents and caregivers with guidance to support family well-being. The centre, built in partnership with Mount Kigali University, is part of Rwanda’s national program to strengthen services for children under six and their families.
The centre has been operating for nearly a month, delivering early education to children up to six years old. It also provides shared services for parents, helping them support their children’s nutrition, health, and development. Currently, 169 children attend the centre—90 girls and 79 boys.
Masaka Sector is the most densely populated of Kicukiro’s 10 sectors. The 2022 national census shows its population more than doubled over the past decade, from over 35,000 in 2012 to more than 72,000 in 2022.
Before the Imbuto Foundation expanded the facility, only two classrooms served 25 children, leaving many without early learning opportunities. The new centre adds four classrooms and a kitchen, enabling more children to engage in play, songs, and guided learning with trained caregivers. A special room for parents hosts monthly training sessions, equipping them to support their children’s growth at home.
After touring the centre, Imbuto Foundation Executive Director Élodie Shami emphasized the long-term impact of early childhood development.
“When we invest in early childhood, we invest in life itself,” Shami said. “These formative years lay the foundation for confidence, compassion, and creativity. A child nurtured early grows with love and values that guide their entire life.”
Parents welcomed the expanded services. Adeline Niragira, a mother, said, “My child could not speak or play before, but now I see growth in language, confidence, and social skills. I no longer worry, because we can leave our children here safely, knowing they are learning.”
Prof. Simon Gicharu, founder and chair of Mount Kigali University, praised the collaboration with Imbuto Foundation, calling it vital for national development. Assumpta Ingabire, CEO of the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), noted that Rwanda aims to provide early childhood services from birth until at least age six, ensuring children start primary school prepared.
The first early childhood centres were launched by Madam Jeannette Kagame in 2013, with national policies now being implemented. In a related development, a foundation stone was laid for a new early childhood centre in Murama Sector, Gasabo District, with Mount Kigali University donating Rwf 150 million to support construction.
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