A Young Girl Blossoms

In a grim indicator of the conditions in Rwanda, 18 out of every 100 of the country's children do not live to see their fifth birthday. As Rwandan families and communities struggle against economic hardship, food insecurity and devastating diseases such as HIV, those often paying the heaviest toll are children. 

Four-year-old Jacqueline Uwitonze is one of these vulnerable children. Her mother, Albertine, 23, does her best to ensure that Jacqueline receives the care she needs, but circumstances make this very difficult. To support her family, Albertine must work as a paid laborer cultivating vegetables in neighboring gardens – strenuous work that pays barely enough to meet the family's
most basic food and shelter needs. Working in her neighbors' fields also forces her to make a difficult decision every day – bring Jacqueline with her to the fields or to leave her unattended at home. Either scenario leaves Jacqueline vulnerable to a multitude of dangers. And when she is not working, Albertine must care for her newborn infant, leaving even less time to ensure Jacqueline's well-being.

Helping meet community needs

In an effort to assist Albertine and other young mothers like her, CARE is piloting five community-managed early childhood development centers in the Kamonyi District of Rwanda, where Albertine and her family live. In addition to being safe at the center, the children are cognitively stimulated, enjoy nutrious meals, get plenty of hugs and emotional support and even recieve health services. Recognizing that parents and guardians are key to the development of the children – and eager to learn themselves – the center offers the adults a variety of services too, including parenting skills courses, information on nutrition, hygiene and care of the young, support groups, savings and loan opportunities and adult education. 

"The night is too long to wait for school"

Since beginning the program, Albertine reports that Jacqueline has blossomed. She is a happier child. She sings songs that she learns in school to entertain her mother and younger sister, and even teaches her mother a little French. Jacqueline now wakes up very early in the morning, eager to go to the nursery school. In a soft spoken voice, Jacqueline admits, "The night is too long to wait for school." 

Benefiting the whole family

Albertine also is happier, and feels better about the care her daughter is receiving now that she attends the center. The benefits of participating in the program have extended to the whole family.

"Before, I didn't have the time to bathe Jacqueline every day, nor did I understand the importance of keeping Jacqueline washed and well-groomed. Now, I have learned the importance of hygiene, so I make sure she is clean before going to the nursery," Albertine states. "I even feel a responsibility to inform other parents about the importance of hygiene when I see that their children are dirty." 

When Jacqueline comes home from school, she is so exhausted from the day's activities that she takes a nap. while Jacqueline's asleep, Albertine has more time to care for her infant and to make dinner for the family.

When asked what she wants most for her children, Albertine replies that she wishes her children to be educated. Jacqueline is off to a good start in the early childhood development center. Thanks to being in such a supportive environment at a young age, Jacqueline will be well-prepared for primary school when the time comes.