Building Foundations, Shaping Futures Together
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Who We Are
KUZA-Kids was founded on the principle that every child deserves the best start in life. We partner with communities across Rwanda to create sustainable early childhood development ecosystems. We don’t just build centers, we build community capacity, train local educators, and empower caregivers to become their children’s first and best teachers.
KUZA-Kids is a new childcare support program specializing in Early Childhood Development (ECD) services. It is championed by a woman from the diaspora wishing to invest and share her expertise in education and childcare services with the Rwandan population. The program’s social objectives include child well-being and quality education, even in low-income neighborhoods. In Rwanda, the organization was accredited in 2018 under Protect Citizen, according to the requirements of NGO status governed by law N°04/2012 17/02/2012, and functioning as a national non-governmental organization under registration number #365/RGB/NGO/OC/01/2018
Our Mission
Our mission is simple yet profound: to empower Rwandan children to reach their full potential through comprehensive Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs and initiatives.
Our Vision
A Rwanda where every child has access to quality early childhood development, unlocking their full potential from the start.
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MEET THE FOUNDER
MY JOURNEY
Understanding the critical role that early childhood education plays in cognitive and social development, I was motivated to start KUZA-Kids.
The vision was clear: to create an environment where every child in Rwanda could access quality pre-primary education, laying a strong foundation for their future learning and development. It was about more than just education; it was about nurturing a generation of thinkers, leaders, and innovators who would drive positive change in our society.
The entrepreneurial journey was not without its challenges, but the belief in the transformative power of early childhood development kept me going. I was determined to bring the best practices observed in Quebec to Rwanda, adapting them to our cultural context while maintaining their core educational values. The goal was to make KUZA-Kids a beacon of hope and a model for early childhood development in Rwanda and beyond.
Starting KUZA-Kids has been one of the most fulfilling decisions of my life. It’s more than just an organization; it’s a movement towards creating a brighter future for our children. Every day, we are inspired by the progress we see in our kids and the positive feedback from parents and the community. This journey has just begun, and I am excited about the impact KUZA-Kids will continue to make in the lives of young children in Rwanda.
ILIBAGIZA M. ROSE
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Our Approach: The KUZA-Kids Model
At KUZA-Kids, we believe in a collaborative, evidence-based approach to ECD that leverages the strengths of communities, government partners, and local stakeholders. By working hand in hand with parents, caregivers, educators, and policymakers, we aim to create sustainable change that benefits generations to come.
Our approach is based on the following cores principles:
Holistic Development
We nurture every aspect of a child's growth. Our programs integrate cognitive learning, social-emotional skills, and physical health to ensure complete, balanced development from the very start, building strong foundations for life.
Inclusive Education
We ensure every child has an equitable start. Our approach prioritizes full accessibility, deep cultural respect, and active family partnership, creating learning environments where every child feels seen, valued, and supported.
Evidence-Based Practices
We ground our work in proven research and local insight. We combine explicit teaching methods, responsive emergent learning, and continuous community feedback to create innovative, effective, and evolving programs for children.
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OUR TEAM
The team is made up of 3 international experts and supported by a Financial Director and a Canada-based Advisory Committee.
Ilibagiza M. Rose
Ilibagiza Rose has spent most of her career in the world of education and community organization, both in Canada and in developing countries. She has a strong capacity for analysis and management of complex situations, and is highly adaptable. For the past 15 years, she has acted as an advisor to the Passe-Partout program, helping to develop training and intervention programs and tools for chlidreen and parents.
Ilibagiza Rose holds a diploma in social work from the Université du Québec à Montréal (Canada), as well as a number of continuing education programs in the early childhood field. She holds certification for each of the followinng Early Intervention tools: "The incredible years" "Brindami" (Minipally), "Vers le pacifique", "Programme Rimbambelle.
Radegonde Ndejuru
Radegonde Ndejuru , with over 30 years experience in Project Management, has been working with less advantaged people in Rwanda, Canada, Guinea Bissau and Ivory Coast -assessing and analysing the various challenges faced by these communities, in order to identify root causes and potential solutions. She believes that early child development centers can go a long way in improving the wellbeing of the families they serve.
Radedonge Ndejuru holds a Nursing Baccalaureate from the University of Rwanda and a Masters in Community Health from the University of Montreal in Canada. She is also a trained psychotherapist.
Jeanine Umulisa
Jeanine UMULISA, is a Rwandan educator with 13 years’ experience in counseling Psychology and 18 years in the educational, guidance and counseling field. She worked for Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), Medical Center and national NGO. She is a good listener and has strong commitment and passionate to the protection and support of vulnerable groups as well strengthening community resilience. She has technical expertise and broad understanding and ability to create tools and facilitate learning workshops in Parenting Skills development for the private and NGO sectors.
Janine UMULISA, hold a Bsc degree in Education with master’s degree in counseling psychology from Bugema University (Uganda). In additional to her degrees, she owns various certificates and international professional trainings
Sustainable change is never achieved alone
Our Partners
Our work is made possible by a powerful network of visionary partners who share our commitment to Rwanda’s youngest generation. From government bodies and international NGOs to local community groups and dedicated individuals, our partnerships are built on mutual trust, shared goals, and a collective belief in the transformative power of early childhood development.
We are honored to work alongside these leading organizations and extend our deepest gratitude for their collaboration, expertise, and support.
Join Us in Shaping Brighter Futures
Your time and support can change a child’s life. Volunteer to share your heart and skills, or donate to give children the tools they need to grow and thrive.