Major Projects in Rwanda

In 2008, a series of earthquakes struck Rwanda. This resulted in serious damage to school buildings, health centers and hospitals. As a result, as many as 27,000 children were deprived of educational opportunities. Many people, including children, suffer from post-traumatic stress due to these events, with limited access to psychosocial support.

Working in close partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Rwanda and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Rwanda Office, as well as the Government of Rwanda, this project aims to rehabilitate the fifteen most heavily damaged school buildings and three health centers in the two districts of Rusizi and Nyamasheke. It also supports improving community capacity for development activities including support activities for those affected by the genocide traumatic experience. Major activities under the projects are carried out with the following components:

• School Construction: Reconstruct and/or rehabilitate fifteen primary schools, including gender-sensitive water and sanitation facilities, a teacher resource center, a head teachers’ office and a classroom for special needs education. Through the teacher’s resource center this component also improves the quality of education under UNICEF’s Child Friendly School Initiative.
• Health Center Construction: Reconstruct and/or rehabilitate three health centers in Mukoma, Muyange and Nkombo, including water and sanitation infrastructure.
• Creation of Employment: Create employment opportunities for local people through rehabilitation and construction of the buildings.
• Capacity Development: The communities in Rusizi and Nyamasheke need to respond to the needs of affected women, children and youth. This component strengthens community networks in order to provide various services to those affected by earthquakes and also traumatic experiences from the genocide and conflict in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. The services include psychosocial support and counseling, as well as peace building exercises such as sports for young people.
• Awareness Raising: Raise awareness amongst the general public and disseminate education and policy information, building stronger support from authorities at all levels.