CARSA’s Education Sponsorship Program: Helping Rwanda's Children Have a Future

Over the past decade, Rwanda’s education system has gone through a remarkable period of growth, especially in terms of access. The Rwandan government has begun to recognize that education is a critical investment for the future growth and development of the country.

As a result of the Rwandan government offering free education until year 12, the primary school enrolment rate has risen to 95% (2018). Enrollment rates in secondary and higher education, however, are still low. The secondary school enrolment rate was previously at 40.9% (2018).

While the progress of education in Rwanda is undeniable, it is far from perfect.

However, the issue was not ultimately resolved, as the country still records over or about 6% dropout rates every year. This is one of the major hurdles the Rwandan education system is facing.

Household poverty is the driving force behind early school dropout rates. Poor households cannot easily afford regular meals, and children cannot study well without enough quantity and quality of food. Such children go to school hungry and cannot participate actively. As a result, they resort to dropping out of their studies.

To create a better world for these children from disadvantaged backgrounds who are unable to afford the necessities of their education, CARSA, through a partnership with Compelled By Love (CBL), an Australian-based organization, initiated the Education Partnership program.

From time to time again, CARSA has witnessed that education is the key to helping children and their families break out of the cycle of poverty. Today, over 50 students from low socio-economic backgrounds across Muhanga and Kamonyi Districts have benefited from the program. Their sponsorship means they can attend school regularly and have the materials and support needed to succeed, regardless of their material circumstances.

NIYONIZERA Gilbert grew up in Mugina Sector of Kamonyi District and is one of the fruits of CARSA and CBL. Gilbert's early age was bitter, and it got worse when he joined the school, He went to school without a pen and paper, as his parents lived in extreme poverty and couldn’t afford his education necessities.

Fortunately, Gilbert was among the first to get registered and sponsored through CARSA’s Education Sponsorship Program, meaning he could attend school without worrying about where tuition fees and other academic costs would come from. Though at first there was a steep learning curve, by the end of thirst grade!

He scored so well on his national exams at the end of his best grades that he was able to qualify for a bachelor’s degree in education program, with some minor costs like registration fees once again covered thanks to CARSA and CBL.

Now, Gilbert earned his bachelor’s degree and hopes to start his career work soon. He believes he has a role to play in the future of his family and country as a teacher, a role that sponsorship helped set him up for.

“Sponsorship is real,” Gilbert says. “The situations our parents were in and how hard it was, it was likely impossible to achieve this, it’s hard to express how helpful sponsorship is to me, my family, and upcoming generations who have bright futures from what I learned. Now, it is time for those seeds to generate the fruits that will lead us to change my family history and transform my community.”

Though at first there was a steep learning curve, by the end of thirst grade! He scored so well on his national exams at the end of his best grades that he was able to qualify for a bachelor’s degree in education program, with some minor costs like registration fees once again covered thanks to CARSA and CBL.

We cannot stress enough how important the CBL partnership and support are and how they have made an eternal impact and changed children's lives. We look forward to strengthening this alliance and touching on more lives in the coming time.

Students from E.S.P gathered to collect school supplies.

All students after the gathering.

One student of E.S.P

All students in gathering and had a fruitful discussion.