Moms and dads are studying very hard
HUMAN IN LOVE finally resumed Rwanda’s literacy classes, which had been halted due to COVID-19. HIL opened 15 centers in Rweru, educating 300 parents of elementary school children on a first-come, first-served basis. The parents showed great enthusiasm for the literacy classes right from the start of registration. You can see they are studying very hard and quite serious, right? This is all because they’ll have a graduation exam in May. The top student from each center will receive a goat!
30th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide “Education gap” caused by displacement and poverty
30 years ago, Rwanda experienced one of the worst genocides in the 20th century, resulting in the loss of 1 million lives in just 100 days due to ethnic conflict, plunging the country into turmoil. Rweru, where HIL has been carrying out projects, is densely populated by returnees who were refugees due to the genocide. Rweru has more people living in poverty and adults who have not received primary education compared to other regions.
President Paul Kagame lit a memorial flame to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide in April 7, 2024. (Photographed by: AFP)
The vicious cycle of no education and poverty
“When I was young, my family was so poor that I couldn’t afford to go to school. I remember feeling envious of my friends who could attend school. As I grew older, I got married and had children, and started selling crops I harvested to make a living. However, I was deeply frustrated because I didn’t even know if I was getting the right price or understand how much I was earning since I didn’t know how to read or do basic math.”[MUKANGENZI Vestine – student of Literacy Class]
Parents’ educational experience, Its impact on children’s participation in school
Despite Rwanda’s national policies supporting education, the primary school retention rate has declined from its peak of 67% in 2018. One of the factors influencing the school participation rate among children and teenagers is parents’ experience in education. Parents without such experience are more likely to encourage their children to work rather than support their education.
Supportive advocates for children’s education Hygiene managers for family and neighbors
One of the positive effects of HIL Adult Literacy Class is that parents become interested in and supportive of their children’s education.
[Teachers of HIL Rwanda Literacy Class]
Furthermore, we also educate essential knowledge and information on health, nutrition, drinking water, sanitation, human rights, math and saving. Given Rweru’s limited access to medical services, hygiene management in households and the community is very crucial. Education plays a significant role in disease prevention, highlighting one of the major benefits of our literacy classes.
[NKUNDWANABAKE Beatrice – teacher of Literacy Class]
1,846 students have graduated from Literacy Class since 2017
HIL Literacy Class provides educational materials to literacy centers and all the participants, announcing rewards for top-performing students so that illiterate adults who were unable to pursue education due to challenging family circumstances can willingly and actively participate in the literacy classes. HIL will continue these classes to help Rweru residents who are suffering from poverty and illiteracy to have an opportunity to make better income more easily and comfortably. HIL Literacy Class could be reopened this year thanks to the support and interest of our HIL family members. We sincerely appreciate your support and kindly ask for your continued interest and encouragement for HIL’s Rwanda projects. Thanks.
Written By Ethien, Photographed By Sangjun Kim & Peter
HIL Education Program
We Support to Education and Self-reliance for developing country.
