In 2013, Her Excellency Mrs Jeannette Kagame launched the Early Childhood Development and Family (ECD&F) programme, to support the holistic development of children aged 0 to 6 years old. The goal of the programme is to ensure that children are intellectually stimulated, healthy and safe, while their families and communities are trained as caregivers.

The ECD&F programme is implemented in the following approaches:

• ECD centres (3 to 6 years old)
• Home-based services (3 to 6 years old)
• Home visits (0 to 3 years old)

In addition, parents receive training on Income Generating Activities (IGAs). Imbuto Foundation offers and delivers integrated Early Childhood Development services in 16 districts, namely: Gasabo, Nyarugenge, Kicukiro, Gicumbi, Gakenke, Nyamasheke, Ruhango, Nyamagabe, Nyabihu, Kayonza, Ngoma, Rwamagana, Rutsiro, Nyanza, Ngororero and Burera.

This initiative aims to improve access to remedial learning support services for underperforming students.

Imbuto Foundation, collaborating with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Ministry of Education, have established learning clubs in 50 primary schools across 10 districts: Nyagatare, Ngoma, Kirehe, Rulindo, Gakenke, Nyabihu, Ngororero, Huye, Nyamagabe and Rusizi.

Twige Neza Dutsinde engages struggling learners at the upper primary level who are at risk for dropping out. It aims to improve both their learning outcomes (literacy and numeracy), as well as their attitudes and practices towards gender and the empowerment of girls.

This initiative has been successful in meeting its programme objectives, with reports of students performing better academically, being more respectful of diversity, more enthusiastic about school and learning and developing strong group working skills. The initiative works with the families of its beneficiaries, whose support is essential in instilling positive values, such as politeness and respect in the classroom, cleanliness and punctuality.