ECD participants in Nyamagabe celebrating National ECD Day, 2025.
Florence Iradukunda, an ECD caregiver in Nyamagabe, using Dufatanye materials to teach a participant about body parts.
ECD participants receiving balanced meals at Nyanza District ECD Day, 2025.
Dufatanye Program Manager, Carine Akure, leading Nyanza ECD children in a fun chant.
Community members celebrating Nyanza ECD Day, 2025.
Children at a Nyamagabe ECD enjoying their morning serving of porridge.
More children drinking their daily, nutrient-rich porridge at a Nyanza ECD.
A Nyanza ECD center with Dufatanye-made educational materials on the wall.
Nyamagabe ECD participants preparing to preform their celebratory chant for the National ECD Day, 2025.
The left shows the conditions of ECD bathrooms in Nyamagabe before Dufatanye arrived.
The right shows the new, renovated ECD toilets facilitated by Dufatanye.

Goal

Early Childhood Development centers (ECD) are meant to provide a safe and caring environment for children before they are old enough to attend school, so they are not unattended at home while their parents are working.

Activities

In partnership with the Rwandan National Child Development Agency and local leadership, Dufatanye oversees all ECDs in Nyanza District and 8 sectors of Nyamagabe District, totaling 1,180 ECDs. There are school, community, and home-based ECDs that care for children during the day from birth to 6-years old, while their parents are busy and before they start attending primary school. Dufatanye conducts multiple interventions in ECDs, including:

  • Conducting training for ECD caregivers and local leaders,
  • Building kitchen gardens to supply nutritious food,
  • Constructing hygienic sanitation facilities,
  • Providing educational materials to prepare participants for primary school,
  • Training on keeping records of child growth,
  • Supervising ECD field officers for each sector.

Impact

Having a secure place to grow is crucial for a child’s development. By providing nutritious meals, early childhood intervention teachings, and clean restrooms, we ensure every child can prosper and be prepared for primary school. This not only prepares children for school but gives a foundation that will benefit them for the rest of their lives and, in turn, strengthen the overall community. In addition, parents are given freedom to cultivate their land without a child strapped to their back, run errands, and engage in other revenue-generating activities while knowing their children are in a safe environment.