Nyamasheke and Rulindo Girls Rewarded

{{The First Lady Mrs. Jeannette Kagame launched the annual Best Performing Girls Campaign on 1st March in Gisagara district. Following the launch, Imbuto Foundation continues the campaign, nationwide. }}

Today, Honorable Albert Nsengiyumva represented the First Lady in Nyamasheke district, where 21 best performing girls were rewarded; while Honorable Stanislas Kamanzi was in Rulindo district where 31 girls received awards.

434 primary and secondary school girls will be recognized nationwide this March.

Nelly Mukazayire, Deputy Director of Cabinet in the President’s office and Mrs. Joyce Musabe, Deputy Director General at the Rwanda Education board were the role models in Nyamasheke and Rulindo districts respectively.

The 2 women leaders, inspired the young girls to achieve their dreams, through their own stories of success. They also interacted with the girls on the challenges women face, on the path to success.

Under the leadership of Her Excellency Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, Imbuto Foundation initiated the Promotion of Girls’ Education Campaign in 2005, to motivate girls to perform well in school.

The campaign mobilizes the community, parents, teachers, civil society, boys and local leaders to collectively support girls’ education.

This year, more girls are being encouraged to develop technical and vocational skills; this is why St. Kizito Technical school in Gisagara district was selected for the launch.

Imbuto Foundation rewards over 400 girls countrywide, at each annual campaign.

They are categorized as follows: the best girl per sector at primary school level; the best girl per district at O level; and the best 5 girls per province at A level. So far, over 3,400 girls have been recognized for performing well.

Girls receive awards such as scholastic materials, ICT training and funds to create savings accounts.

The Senior 6 girls are rewarded with a laptop each and an IT essentials training. The purpose of the training is to equip the girls with basic IT skills, as they continue with university education.

Girls historically faced social, economic and cultural barriers that prevented them from performing as well as they could.

Media messages, promotional material, role models who share inspirational stories, community mobilization and partnerships with the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, Rwanda Education Board, Tumba College of Technology and the One UN, provide a platform for these barriers to be broken, so that young Rwandan girls can truly succeed.