Kigali, 24 October 2024 - The Government of Rwanda, in partnership with the European Union and key stakeholders in child development, officially launched the Tubakuze "Making Them Grow" project. This European Union-funded initiative focuses on strengthening Early Childhood Development (ECD) service delivery in Rwanda.

The launch was presided over by Mireille Batamuriza, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion. 

In her address, she expressed the Government of Rwanda’s gratitude for this partnership, emphasizing its critical role in achieving the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) goals, particularly in reducing stunting rates and improving foundational education quality.

The Tubakuze project aims to enhance the quality of ECD services across the country. Its objectives include building the capacity of local stakeholders, increasing awareness among government institutions, ECD centers and local communities about the importance of ECD. 

Additionally, the project seeks to improve access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities for children in vulnerable communities to combat stunting and malnutrition.

Rwanda’s NST2 recognizes ECD as a cornerstone for nurturing future generations. It has set an ambitious target to increase pre-primary school enrollment from 35% to 65% by 2029. ECD encompasses a holistic approach to supporting children from conception to six years of age, addressing their developmental, educational, and health needs.