What We Do
Children
Young children 0 to 15 years
“It takes a village to raise a child.”
– African Proverb
Education
Every child deserves access to quality, inclusive education in a safe and nurturing environment an education that gives them the foundation to reach their full potential. AEE Rwanda supports children from the early childhood development (ECD) stage through primary and secondary school. Recognizing the critical role of the home in reinforcing learning, our programs also strengthen families’ ability to support their children’s education.
Across all levels, we work to improve the quality and accessibility of basic education. This includes supporting early learning, classroom readiness, school engagement, and alternative or non-formal education pathways that ensure no child is left behind.
Early Childhood Development
Early Childhood Development Centers (ECDCs) support the intellectual, physical, and social growth of children aged three to five through age-appropriate, structured learning and play. To make sure ECDCs are accessible to parents and children, AEE Rwanda backs small home-based ECDCs as well as larger community-based and school-linked ECDCs. AEE Rwanda constructs new facilities or refurbishes and stocks existing ones, and trains early childhood caregivers and teachers. Beyond providing play and education for children, ECDCs are vital for parents, especially those who work daily to support their families. Dropping a child off at an ECDC in the morning allows parents, mainly mothers, to work without needing to worry about their young children being left alone at home or out in the fields in the sun or rain. Feeding programs at ECDCs offer children nutritious, balanced meals while also involving parents in meal preparation, giving them valuable health and nutrition knowledge they can apply at home. The caregivers and teachers at ECDCs are trained to observe children for developmental issues and collaborate with parents, referring them to local health services when necessary.
Primary and Secondary School
All children should have the chance to join Rwanda’s twelve-year formal education system, regardless of their social or economic background. AEE Rwanda helps thousands of students from disadvantaged families each year by providing essential support resources, including uniforms and school supplies. In addition, we recognise the role of the home in a child’s learning and access to longer-term education. For this reason, we also focus on supporting families through programs that increase household income, educate on the benefits of a balanced diet, and offer parents access to adult literacy training.
Nutrition
Adequate nutrition is essential for every child’s growth, learning and long-term well-being. AEE Rwanda integrates nutrition initiatives across its programs, including early childhood development centers (ECDs), savings and self-help groups, and climate-smart agriculture activities. We provide practical nutrition training through household, school and community kitchen gardens, helping families improve both access to and understanding of nutritious foods.
Community health workers support these efforts by teaching parents especially mothers how to grow, prepare and source affordable, balanced meals. Regular community cooking sessions also create opportunities for parents to share knowledge, encourage healthy practices and promote improved nutrition at home.
Safety & Protection
Every child has the right to grow up free from abuse, violence and neglect. Ensuring children are safe within their families and communities is a central part of AEE Rwanda’s work. We focus especially on preventing gender-based violence and other forms of harm that affect children and women.
Our programs build awareness, promote positive parenting and provide training that challenges harmful norms and strengthens peaceful conflict resolution in homes and communities. By fostering safer, more supportive environments, we help ensure that children are protected, valued and able to reach their full potential.
Child Rights
For children’s rights to be met, children, parents, and communities must understand the rights children hold and the responsibilities parents and communities have to uphold those rights. AEE Rwanda engages children and adolescents through clubs and groups facilitated by trained caregivers or mentors. These groups not only educate children on their rights and how to claim them, but also provide a safe space for them to share their personal experiences. AEE Rwanda also collaborates with parents, local government authorities, and other organizations to ensure that children’s rights are clearly understood and upheld. When a child’s rights are not being met or if a child is experiencing abuse, AEE Rwanda community workers work directly to address the issue or refer it to local authorities for resolution.
Safeguarding
Children participating in AEE Rwanda projects are often vulnerable. AEE Rwanda employs safeguarding strategies to ensure that these children are not harmed by those working with them. The strategies include training workers and volunteers from AEE Rwanda and partner organizations on rights and responsibilities, as well as establishing safe channels through which abuse can be reported.