Shelter Them Batarure’ launches an Early Childhood Development (ECD) center in Bugesera District
Local non-governmental organization, ‘Shelter Them Batarure’ has launched an Early Childhood Development (ECD) center in Bugesera District where it was given a plot through presidential pledge.
The launch took place in Nyarugenge Sector, Kabuye Cell, Gateko Village on March 2, 2021.
Founded by two Rwandans living in Canada, Josephine Murphy Bukuru and Joselyne Alexandre Butoyi in 2007, Shelter Them Batarure aims to empower vulnerable and underprivileged children in Rwanda.
It ensures these children are integrated in an environment where their basic growth and development needs are met, and by then providing them and their families with the tools and resources they need for these children to have a bright, independent and sustainable future.
Its programs focus on education, community development and income generating activities.
After President Paul Kagame gave a plot to the organization in Bugesera District in 2013, its leadership collaborated with the community around there to decide what the land would be used for.
The local community proposed a community center and a vocational training school, and now by the support of different actors the dreams have started to come to reality, the Director of Shelter Them Batarure, Jules Higiro, has said.
The ECD center launched is made up of four classes capable of receiving a hundred kids. Currently, more than ninety children are registered. Every room is equipped with materials and toys needed by the children in play activities.
It has a kitchen and recreation area and facilities. Its building can also be used for other purposes like meeting hall and offices.
Beneficiaries have welcomed the provision of the ECD center saying it’s a conducive environment of learning for their children.
Ntijyinama Anastase of Agateko Village, Kabuye Cell, expects his kids to receive a quality nurture and care.
“We have had the chance to find people who are going to help our children while we are in our daily occupation.”
“It is gratifying to have donors who joined us in extreme poverty in this area and build us an ECD center; they told us that the materials the children need will be provided to them but we as parents in our limited means are ready to contribute to their care”, Valentine Musabyimana said.
The Sector Education Officer, Umutoni Fidelité, hails the support saying that it was much needed.
“We needed such facilities to train our children early as investing in young children is investing in the future. The Agateko Village didn’t have any ECD center. We are blessed to receive this center in our Sector. We gave you the land, you give us back more than the land; we ensure you continuous collaboration.”
Shelter Them Batarure started in 2002 with the support of disadvantaged children from the streets. After having received the plot given by President Kagame, the charity organization found it necessary to help broadly accommodate the families of these disadvantaged children, and others in the community where they have problems with extreme poverty, malnutrition, and now in a sustainable way to help them learn.
Last year, at least, the Rwf 170 million have been spent to build five house for the needy families, empowering their cooperatives and equipping the ECD center with materials and children toys, according to Higiro.
The funds are from philanthropists in diaspora, foreigners who collect donations from their friends every year but “we want to reach out to Rwandans to contribute”.
Shelter Them Batarure has also started a partnership with GS Rugando of Nyarugenge Sector, Bugesera District aiming at promoting biodiversity program through teachers training in subjects like ICT, biology, geography, agriculture, English so that they get enough teaching skills that will help students to be environmental friendly.
It also plan to equip and connect a smart classroom there and expand the partnership where not only the school will benefit from it but also the community around there.
By Kanamugire Emmanuel
