MKU Rwanda partners with First of Rwanda’s Imbuto Foundation to deepen access to early childhood education

Mount Kigali University has donated Sh5 million (Rwf50.75 million) to Rwanda’s Imbuto Foundation for the construction of model Early Childhood Education classrooms.

The Foundation, which is the brainchild of Rwanda’s First Lady Jeannette Kagame who is also its chairperson, focuses on programmes spanning education, health and youth empowerment.

Prof Simon Gicharu, the founder and Chairman of MKU, said the constitution would support the construction of ECD classes in two schools, one in Kigali and another outside the capital.

“This contribution is part of our ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility. By contributing to the construction of the ECD Model Class, we are investing in the future of Rwanda’s children, providing them with the opportunity to receive quality education from the earliest stages of life,” he said when he handed the cheque to Imbuto Foundation  Director General Elodie Shami

“We remain committed to supporting education and this contribution is only one part of our long-term strategy to make a lasting impact on the ECD model and look forward to more initiatives.”

Prof Gicharu also acknowledged the work that the Imbuto Foundation has been undertaking to support underprivileged children, especially girls to access education. Some of the children supported by the Foundation had gone on to successfully pursue university education and settled in different careers.

“The Foundation’s dedication to empowering young learners and ensuring they have access to education aligns with our values, and we are proud to be part of this impactful journey."

"It is inspiring to witness the success of individuals supported by the Imbuto Foundation, such as a young woman who has completed her degree at Mount Kenya University and is now pursuing her master's degree. Her achievement is a testament to the foundation’s vital role in empowering the youth, especially girls, and giving them the tools to succeed."

Imbuto Foundation is one of Rwanda’s most impactful organizations. It has in the past partnered with MKU to increase educational access for bright students in Rwanda who hail from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Shami said the contribution by MKU that was made last Thursday will help the foundation’s endeavours geared at educating young Rwandans across the country. 

“Investing in early childhood development creates a domino effect and more people are starting to get the importance of investing in those 1,000 days of a child but also educating the parents about nutrients and hygiene that goes into raising thriving citizens,” she said. 

Present during the ceremony was Prof Deogratius Jaganyi who noted that Early Childhood Education plays an important role in shaping people and determines the paths that they choose later in life.

"Early Childhood Education is crucial for the development of young minds, where play, feeding and learning come together to nurture growth. Through the construction of the ECD Model Class, we aim to provide a learning environment that fosters exploration, creativity, and cognitive development from the earliest stages,” he said. 

"This initiative aligns directly with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST 1 and 2). By investing in early childhood education, we are supporting Rwanda's long-term goals to enhance human capital, improve education quality, and contribute to national growth through an educated and skilled population."

MKU has recently introduced a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education program that is geared at empowering teachers with the skills needed to support the early learning journey.

The university also offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes, which offer ongoing training and resources for ECDE teachers.

At the same time, Prof Gicharu said the Kigali Paramount Hotel to the Imbuto Foundation is gearing up for launch in the coming months.

The hotel will be run by MKU’s School of Hospitality and is a training ground for students pursuing different hospitality courses at the university. 

"As part of our continued support, I would like to introduce the Imbuto Foundation to Kigali Paramount Hotel. The hotel offers excellent facilities for hosting events and gatherings that can further enhance the foundation’s efforts in raising awareness and fostering more collaborations,” he said, adding that the primary objective of the facility is to offer training. 

“My pride will not be on how many people have slept there but how many people have been trained at the hotel. For us to train,we of course require quests to make it practical. But our real objective will be how many people we have empowered in terms of life skills.”

Shami acknowledged the unique approach to training, noting that it offered hands-on experience for young Rwandans.

“I think this is one of the few examples in this country where we see private institutions investing in their students towards their industry. We are in an age where we are facing high unemployment rates and the education system has not caught up as fast as we would want to make sure that we are skilling people for the jobs,” she said. 

“These types of programmes where you train people in theory but also practice ensures that you are producing quality workers ready for the job market.”

“We are also excited to see how our partnership grows to Imbuto in Kigali Paramount hotel. We will do the needful to make this partnership work.”

Dr Jane Wambui Kanjuru, Chair of Kigali Paramount Hotel and Dean School of Hospitality at MKU, noted that the hotel brings about an exciting new chapter in the hospitality industry. 

“What sets us apart is our unique approach to training the next generation of hospitality professionals,” she said, adding that the hotel is set for launch soon “The hotel, in partnership with Mount Kigali University, we will provide students with hands-on experience in a real-world setting, learning from industry experts while providing top-tier service to our valued clients.”

“This initiative will create a dynamic environment where students not only hone their skills but also elevate the guest experience. Every guest who stays with us will be part of this journey, benefiting from fresh perspectives, innovative service, and a dedication to excellence.”