”Don’t we look wonderful in our new uniforms?
[HIL’s School Uniform Support – Gitwe Primary School]
“A School Uniform Gift” for 800 Children in Rwanda
No to child labor! To help protect children’s right to education, HIL carried out its “Let’s Go to School in Uniform!” project during the first half of 2025, providing school uniforms to 800 children attending Ruzo Primary School, Mugina Primary School, Maranyundo Primary School, and Gitwe Primary School in the Bugesera region of Rwanda.The Bugesera region is home to many economically vulnerable families who returned from Burundi after fleeing during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide and continue to face challenges in rebuilding stable livelihoods.
[HIL’s School Uniform Support – Mugina Primary School]
”“My child felt embarrassed wearing his old and worn-out school uniform, and it was something I worried about deeply. However, I could not afford to buy a new one for him. I was so happy to receive support through HIL’s school uniform support program. My son was truly excited to wear his new uniform. Thank you so much for helping so many children, including my son.”
[Aline MUKAMURIGO, Mother of a student at Maranyundo Primary School]
”“By providing school uniforms to children who either did not have one or were wearing worn-out uniforms, we have seen noticeable improvements in their self-esteem, school attendance, learning attitude, and academic performance. On behalf of Maranyundo Primary School, I sincerely express my gratitude to the donors and supporters of HIL.”
[Rev. Emile NDAGIJIMANA, Head Teacher of Maranyundo Primary School]
[HIL’s School Uniform Support – Gitwe Primary School]
Every Child Has the Right to Education
On November 20, 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was unanimously adopted in the United Nations, affirming that every child in the world is entitled to the rights of survival, protection, development, and participation.In particular, the Convention clearly states that children have the right to receive all forms of education, including formal schooling, for their physical, emotional, moral, and social development.
[HIL’s School Uniform Support – Mugina Primary School]
Are Children Unable to Attend School Even Though Tuition Is Free?
Even today, a significant number of children in Rwanda are unable to enroll in primary school or are forced to drop out before completing their education. Although tuition is free, many families still struggle to afford essential educational expenses such as school uniforms, learning materials, and meal fees.According to a report released by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in March 2024, 56.5% of Rwanda’s population lives on less than USD 1.90 per day, highlighting the urgent need for continued support and intervention.
[HIL’s School Uniform Support – Gitwe Primary School]
Children Pushed into Labor Instead of School
Children from low-income families who are unable to attend school are often forced into labor to support their households, including domestic work, caring for younger siblings, or helping with farming and other livelihood activities. In addition, children who miss the opportunity to receive an education during their school-age years face a much greater risk of remaining trapped in poverty and becoming exposed to crime and other forms of vulnerability.
[HIL’s School Uniform Support – Mugina Primary School]
Protecting Children’s Right to Education
>The impact of the school uniform support was clear and measurable. According to a project evaluation conducted at Kivusha Primary School, where school uniforms were provided in 2023, the dropout rate decreased from 6% to 1%, school attendance rate increased by 7.3%, and academic performance improved by 12.2%.
[HIL School Uniform Support – G.S. Ruzo Primary School]
In addition, HIL is working to protect the educational rights of children and adolescents through a range of integrated education support initiatives. These include school meal support for children from the most vulnerable households, individual sponsorship support, and assistance for higher education, where school dropout rates are especially high. HIL is also improving the quality of education by enhancing learning environments through school construction and renovation, as well as the installation of sanitation and clean water facilities. Furthermore, adult literacy classes are being provided for parents to help strengthen household economic stability and empower families to actively support their children’s education.
[School toilet construction project]
[HIL’s Adult Literacy Class]
Hope Made by HIL’s Donors
A school uniform costs about USD 5, and one semester of school meals costs around USD 6.8. Through your support, children’s right to education is being protected and sustained.HIL will continue doing its utmost to ensure that no child is excluded from education because of financial hardship. To all HIL’s donors and supporters who have walked alongside these children with generosity and care — thank you.
