Irerero School, Rwanda
About Irerero School
New Mona Partner in 2025
Irerero School partners closely with Pygmy Survival Alliance (PSA) in the United States and Health Development Initiative (HDI), a Rwandan nonprofit, to support the people known historically as the "Batwa", an extremely marginalized population and one of many indigenous groups in Central Africa broadly known as Pygmies.
In 2009, PSA and HDI began collaborating with one village outside Kigali to help empower the people to address basic needs and reduce the nearly 50% mortality of children under age 5. Over time, the mothers said, “Before, many of our children were dying … Now, so many are surviving, we need a nursery school where they can go.” In response to their request, a local development leader, Claude Bizimana, founded Irerero Nursery School in 2015 as a nonprofit Early Childhood Development (ECD) center.
Today, Irerero is far more than a nursery school. Through its continuing partnership with PSA and HDI, and with strong community and youth leadership, dedicated teachers, and parent involvement, Irerero School now also provides academic support, scholarships, skills training, and development and cultural programs for hundreds of children, youth, and adults across three villages.
The Challenge
Rwanda’s indigenous forest dwellers are known as "Batwa", and in the national language of Kinyarwanda often called "the people left behind by history". A dwindling population of about 33,000, they were displaced from their ancestral lands in the twentieth century by wildlife conservation and agricultural expansion, leaving them landless, impoverished, and socially excluded. About one-third perished in the country's 1994 genocide, and survivors were largely excluded from national reconciliation and aid programs. Many lost family members, homes, and any remaining land, while their suffering went largely unacknowledged. Today, their communities face extreme poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and entrenched discrimination, making them one of Rwanda’s most vulnerable groups.
Although primary and secondary school tuition is free, Batwa families are often unable to afford school uniforms, study materials, or meal contributions. Children may also experience stigma from teachers and peers. The combined result is high absenteeism and dropout rates. Only about 16% oh children complete primary school, and 3% complete secondary education. Adult illiteracy is above 50%.
The Solution: Irerero School Programs
Irerero's extensive programs reflect the school's community-driven approach to education and empowerment:
- Early Childhood Education (ages 3–6): Nursery school classrooms that are safe and nurturing, where children receive foundational learning and a daily meal.
- After-School Tutoring (Grades 4–6): Targeted support to improve student learning and ensure readiness for national exams.
- Scholarships: Support for secondary and university students, creating pathways for higher learning.
- Library & Technology Access: Books, educational toys, and a planned computer lab with Wi-Fi to equip students with digital skills.
- Girls’ Empowerment: Cultural arts and dance program that provides mentorship for girls.
- Sports Programs: Training and recreational activities that promote health, teamwork, and confidence.
- Skills Training for Youth and Young Adults: Practical vocational skills such as tailoring, hairdressing, and shoemaking that open pathways to employment and income generation.
- Parent & Community Engagement: Adult literacy classes, farming, animal husbandry, financial training, and awareness-building on health and nutrition to improve community stability and sustainability.
How we help
Mona Foundation has followed Pygmy Survival Alliance's development work in Rwanda with great admiration for many years and thus learned about Irerero School. We are delighted to now join with PSA in supporting the Irerero School to further strengthen and expand the firm foundation they built together: a empowered community-driven model where dedicated local leaders, teachers, parents, and youth are actively engaged in shaping educational opportunities to uplift their children, families, and communities.
2025 Plans, $10,000
- Provide scholarships for students preparing for national exams.
- Outfit a small computer lab with 3 computers, software, and Wi-Fi.
- Increase staff by hiring additional teachers and aides to improve student learning.
- Offer after-school tutoring for students in Grades 4–6.
- Empower girls through a cultural dance program and mentoring.
- Provide
books and educational toys to enrich early learning.