VSO Rwanda

Nearly 98% of the volunteers at VSO Rwanda are young people who champion the implementation of our programs across the country. Shout out to our youth for their skill and unwavering contribution. We'll continue to invest in youth skills development, create platforms for youth-led action and promote youth inclusion in decision-making. #WorldYouthSkillsDay

VSO Rwanda is certain that when young people are engaged and empowered, they can be a driving force for sustainable development. This is why we are honored to collaborate with the National Youth Council (NYC) to help Rwandan youth in becoming active contributors to national development. Through our #ACTIVE Project, using our #V4D approach, we are unlocking the potential of young people to be agents of change in their communities. Our collaboration with NYC is anchored in shared values; currently with NyagatareNYC, Gatsibo NYC and Bugesera NYC we are: 🔹 Delivering a tailored training and mentorship to youth leaders at district and sector levels. 🔹 Promoting youth-led planning and advocacy in local governance. 🔹 Equipping youth with social accountability tools to influence decision-making and hold duty bearers accountable. In the above-mentioned districts, Youth are not waiting to be invited to the table; they are building the table themselves, and VSO Rwanda is proud to walk with them on that journey. VSO Rwanda aims to scale-up the impact of youth engagement through our inclusive volunteering for development model, we are envisioning a future where every young Rwandan has the opportunity, the skills, and the confidence to contribute to their community and nation. #ActiveYouth #YouthForYouth #WeVolunteerFor

This morning, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Mayor of Bugesera District, Richard Mutabazi, to the VSO Rwanda office for a courtesy visit. The conversation focused on strengthening our existing partnership and exploring new opportunities for future collaboration in areas that matter most, including youth civic engagement, education and inclusive development. In a special moment during the visit, Mayor Mutabazi presented VSO Rwanda with a Certificate of Appreciation, recognizing the meaningful partnership and the shared efforts in driving inclusive and sustainable development in Bugesera District. At VSO Rwanda, we believe in the power of working together with local government to create sustainable change. We are grateful for the continued support and shared vision from Bugesera District leadership. #VSORocks

Meet Celestin, Our EDtech Gulu Karekezi Celestin, a volunteer from Rwanda who is supporting early childhood educators to adopt play-based learning techniques in classroom. He is putting smiles on those cute learners 🤩 Learn more here 👇

8000 People turned up! The Week of Play ends today, coinciding with the African child day, a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to nurture and empower Africa’s youngest generation. Through #TMR Project, VSO Rwanda celebrated this momentous day, holding an interesting community outreach in Musanze District with the goal of educating people about the value of learning through play in early childhood education and in families. The event brought together children, parents and community leaders to celebrate play as a powerful tool for learning and development. Through captivating plays and sketches by our partners Urunana DC, the community was taken through relatable, fun, and educational stories that showcased how play can be integrated into daily life at home and in school settings. One of the highlights of the day was the presence of a beloved local Rwandan artist, who not only entertained the crowd but also took time to interact and play with children, reminding everyone of the joy and learning that comes from creative expression. We were honored by the presence of the Vice Mayor of Musanze District, Mr. Theobald KAYIRANGA who delivered a great message of gratitude and encouragement. In his address, he called on parents and guardians to continue embracing play as a key component of their children’s learning journeys, not just in school, but also at home. This community outreach wrapped up a week full of meaningful activities dedicated to promoting play as a right for every child. Let’s continue to champion Learning through Play for more joyful future for our children. #PowerofPlay #TwigireMumikinoRwanda #Leteverychilddream

Did you know? Play boosts creativity, Play unlocks skills, and critical thinking in early learners!   Through the #TMR Project, we’ve empowered thousands of caregivers and educators to integrate playful pedagogy into their daily routines, transforming traditional learning environments into spaces of imagination and discovery.   Because when learning feels like play, Every child wants to participate. #PowerofPlay #ChoosePlayEveryday #TwigireMumikino

Celebrating the Power of Play on the Second-Ever International Day of Play! Today at GS Kirara in GASABO DISTRICT, VSO Rwanda joined the rest of the world in marking the second official #InternationalDayofPlay, a great occasion to recognize and reaffirm the fundamental right of every child to play. Together with our amazing play partners and RWANDA BASIC EDUCATION BOARD brought the spirit of Learning through Play to life with a joyful and inclusive celebration that centred children at the heart of the experience. From pre-primary to primary and secondary levels, children engaged in a variety of play-based activities that brought laughter, curiosity and connection. One of the most powerful moments of the day was the interactive dialogue moderated by the Deputy Director General of RWANDA BASIC EDUCATION BOARD, Flora, who held an insightful conversation with learners from pre-primary, primary, and high school levels. The discussion was a unique opportunity to hear directly from children about what play means to them, how it impacts their learning journey, and why it must remain central in education policies and classroom practices. It really was more than just a celebration, it was a call to action to continue prioritizing play as a crucial element of holistic education. We are grateful to all our partners, teachers, local leaders, and most importantly, the children who made today so inspiring and meaningful. Stay tuned for more playful learning contents #InternationalDayOfPlay #LearningThroughPlay #PowerofPlay

WHY CHOOSE PLAY EVERYDAY❔ Through #play, children learn fast, #PLAY fuels curiosity, #PLAY sparks creativity, #PLAY unlocks essential skills, #PLAY boosts well-being and inspires a lifelong journey of learning. On this June 11th 2025, We will celebrate the #InternationalDayofplay2025, an occasion when we come together to reassure that every child is able to fulfill their right. Join us this week as we celebrate the #PowerofPlay with stories, memories, and impact moments from our journey. #IDP2025 #Learningthroughplay #PowerofPlay LEGO Education | VSO | RWANDA BASIC EDUCATION BOARD

This morning, VSO Rwanda through the #TMR Project convened Media and Play Partners. Why Media and Why Now? The media is both our target audience and a critical driver of influence. With their ability to reach thousands of households, and we understand their unique positions to: 🔹 Raise awareness about the significance of play in early childhood development. 🔹 Share success stories from local communities and ECD centers. 🔹 Mobilize public support and encourage local leaders to prioritize child-friendly, play-based approaches in education planning; Through this workshop, journalists enhanced their understanding of the science behind learning through play, the policy context in Rwanda, and real-life stories of impact from the TMR project. They also learned practical storytelling techniques to help them craft compelling content that inspires action. Building on the success of previous workshops, this year’s initiative deepens the collaboration with journalists, empowering them with knowledge, tools, and networks to become champions of play in their own platforms. VSO's TMR believes in the power of collaborations. As we celebrate the International Day of Play, we call on all stakeholders, civil society, parents, and the media to join forces in making play a cornerstone of early learning in Rwanda and beyond.

As part of the national celebrations marking the closure of the ECD Week, Yesterday, VSO Rwanda joined partners in championing the importance of quality early preparation for every child.   During the event, VSO Rwanda’s TMR contributed by distributing Teaching and Learning Materials (TLMs) to the schools in Gakenke District, reinforcing our commitment to play-based learning. This moment also coincided with our ongoing distribution of TLMs across all schools where the TMR project is being implemented, further ensuring that every child has access to fun, inclusive, and engaging learning tools.   VSO Rwanda continues to support and empower teachers, caregivers, and local leaders to create nurturing environments where children can thrive through learning through play.   #VSO #ECDWeek2025 #LearningThroughPlay