In Rwanda, parents affectionately call their home-based early childhood centres Irerero, meaning “a safe space where children are cared for and brought up.”
Two such centres are Itabwehomwana, with 34 families, and Jijuka, with 33 families. Parents, mainly mothers, alongside caregivers, see them as hubs of transformation. Here, they learn practical skills in nutrition, hygiene, parental care, and responsibility for their children’s healthy growth, working from 7 a.m. to midday, Monday to Friday.
Play unlocks children’s mental wellbeing
Before eating nutritious meals and porridge, play takes centre stage. Children engage with parent-made toys, songs, and games, vital for their mental wellbeing.
Judith, 41
“With parent-made toys and a range of games, children rediscover joy and strengthen their mental wellbeing.”
Judith, a 41-year-old caregiver at the Itabwehomwana centre, shares how play has sparked profound change in the children she cares for.
“I have seen children arrive hopeless, shy, and silent. With parent-made toys and a range of games, children rediscover joy and strengthen their mental wellbeing,” Judith shares.
Judith fondly recalls transformative moments when children rediscovered confidence and renewed hope.
“Children nurtured here grow into confident individuals, laughing and becoming more sociable. Today, they learn and thrive remarkably, and this strengthens me to continue the mission,” she adds with pride.
Parents trained on nutrition and child engagement
Marie Jeanne, 28, remembers struggling with her children’s well-being. Limited knowledge about nutrition and the demands of farming left little time for her family.
“I learnt how to prepare balanced meals, something many parents in rural communities struggle with.”
Marie Jeanne, 28
“I did not pay much attention to what my children ate, nor did we give them enough time. This affected their health, as I came to learn through our home-based early childhood centre,” she explains.
The caregivers’ home visit encouraged her family to join the centre, prompting a change in their approach.
“I learnt how to prepare balanced meals, something many parents in rural communities struggle with. They are often busy working on their farms, leaving little time to spend with their children. Now, my husband and I make time to listen to and talk with them, which is vital for their well-being.”
Beyond nutrition education, parents were introduced to kitchen gardens at both centres and homes.
“I created my own kitchen garden. It provides a variety of vegetables, so we no longer have to rely on the market. Our children eat better,” Marie Jeanne adds.
This simple yet powerful practice has become a lifeline against malnutrition, proving that sustainable, home-grown solutions can flourish within communities.
Savings: Building resilient families
To strengthen families’ livelihoods, each home-based early childhood centre integrates Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs).
At Jijuka, members contribute Rwf 1,100 weekly, with each now holding savings of Rwf 46,000.
Dative’s savings group advanced her family’s livelihood through small livestock.
“I received a loan of Rwf 85,000, which I used to buy a goat and a sheep.”
Dative, 45
“I received a loan of Rwf 85,000, which I used to buy a goat and a sheep. I hope to earn an income from selling livestock and to expand into pig farming. This support is helping me provide for my children and meet our family’s needs,” Dative narrates.
Savings groups are more than financial mechanisms. They are platforms where parents discuss children’s wellbeing and plan for long-term stability.
About the project
Through the sponsorship-funded Early Childhood Development Project across Bugesera, Gatsibo and Nyaruguru districts, Caritas Rwanda, supported by Plan International Rwanda, has established 115 home-based centres serving 1,279 children, with 601 boys and 678 girls, and 908 families. Each centre also runs a kitchen garden and a savings group.
Additionally, 19 school-based centres reach 1,386 children, with 591 boys and 795 girls, and 588 families. These centres are reshaping childhood in Rwanda, combating malnutrition, fostering parental responsibility, and building communities where children can thrive.
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