Over the last year, as part of a three-year grant from our Family Philanthropy’s Global Education Fund, we proudly supported the opening of eight new early childhood development (ECD) centers in Rwanda. The ECD centers are strategically located in, and around, marketplaces across eight districts — providing critical support to young children aged six months to six years old, while also empowering mothers and caregivers in the community.
In partnership with UNICEF and Action Pour Le Développment du Peuple (ADEPE), these centers are designed to create safe, stimulating, and accessible child care environments as well as opportunities for quality care, learning, and nutrition. By positioning the centers proximate to local marketplaces, this effort directly addresses the challenge many mothers and caregivers face: balancing work with the need for quality and accessible child care.
The ECD centers will serve a combined total of approximately 650 children each year, offering a nurturing space for children to thrive while letting their caregivers continue their work with peace of mind. Of the eight centers, three of them are located near border crossings, making care accessible to mothers and caregivers who cross the border each day for their businesses. In addition to increasing access to quality child care, this effort aims to promote sustainable development in Rwanda. After a three-year project period, the operation of these centers will be transitioned to local authorities, ensuring long-term success and integration of this initiative into the community.
Since 2017, UNICEF has been working alongside the government of Rwanda to replicate this innovative model — responding to the need for quality child care solutions in local marketplaces. While more than 900 ECD centers have been established across the country over the past 12 years with UNICEF support, the cross-border and market-based ECD model has not yet been widely used in Rwanda. The grant from the Global Education Fund has enabled UNICEF to nearly double the number of ECD centers that model this cross-border and market-based approach. This grant also funds an important assessment of the model’s effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability. Conducted by UNICEF in partnership with the University of Rwanda, the findings will be shared with parents, governments, partners, and donors — offering a deeper understanding of the impact of these centers and how similar models can be implemented in the future.
We are thrilled to support UNICEF’s expansion of this innovative and impactful initiative, which not only enhances the delivery of holistic, high-quality care but also supports the economic development and empowerment of Rwandan families. Stay tuned for further updates as we continue our work to improve access to quality education and care for the youngest members of our global community.
