Mount Kigali University (MKU) has stepped up efforts to strengthen early childhood education in Rwanda through a Rwf150 million (KSh13.3 million) donation to the Imbuto Foundation for the construction of new nursery schools in Gasabo District.
The university’s founder and chairman, Prof. Simon Gicharu, joined officials from Imbuto Foundation, Gasabo District, and the Kinyinya community on October 9, 2025, to lay the foundation stone for the upcoming Murama Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in Kinyinya Sector.
The new facility, part of a broader collaboration between MKU and Imbuto Foundation, will serve children aged six and below, providing a safe and stimulating learning environment in line with Rwanda’s Vision 2050.
The initiative is aimed at promoting early learning, nutrition, and parental engagement as foundations for long-term national development.
“Our partnership with Imbuto Foundation is built on a shared dream to give every Rwandan child a fair and equitable start in life,” said Prof. Gicharu. “By investing in early childhood development, we are investing in the future of Rwanda.”
The ceremony also featured the inauguration of the Masaka Early Childhood Development and Family (ECD&F) Centre in Masaka Sector, Kicukiro District, a flagship project of the MKU–Imbuto partnership.
The centre features modern classrooms accommodating up to 40 pupils each, a kitchen, and an assembly area designed to promote inclusive learning.
Beyond infrastructure, the Masaka centre provides integrated services in education, nutrition, healthcare, hygiene, child protection, and parenting education, reflecting Rwanda’s holistic approach to early childhood development.
Prof. Gicharu said MKU’s involvement goes beyond construction.
Through its Kigali Paramount Hotel, the university will offer full tuition scholarships for beneficiaries selected by Imbuto Foundation to pursue short courses in hospitality, including culinary arts, food and beverage service, and housekeeping.
“At Mount Kigali University, we are not just building structures; we are building people and communities,” he said.
Imbuto Foundation’s Director General, Ms. Elodie Shami, described the collaboration as a model of how education and community partnerships can transform lives.
“What we inaugurate today is more than a building. It is a dream brought to life — a symbol of what happens when vision meets action,” she said. “Since 2013, Imbuto Foundation has invested in early childhood development because we believe that investing in the first years of life is investing in the nation’s future.”
Kicukiro District Executive Administrator, Mr. Antoine Mutsinzi, said the Masaka centre has already made a visible difference in the community. Enrollment has grown from 25 to over 125 children, while parents now have access to training on how to support their children’s growth at home.
“This facility is a major improvement from the previous structure, which had only two small rooms,” Mutsinzi said. “It represents a real investment in families and in the next generation.”
Parents have also expressed optimism about the centre’s impact. Ms. Beline Nirangira, Vice-Chair of the Parents Association at Masaka ECD&F, said the changes have been life-changing for both children and families.
“My child could barely speak or interact with others when they joined. Now they communicate confidently and play happily,” she said. “As parents, we are committed to supporting the centre and ensuring it continues to grow.”
Since 2018, the partnership between Imbuto Foundation and Mount Kigali University has supported over 200 girl-child students across Rwanda and contributed to the establishment of two model ECD&F centres — in Masaka (Kicukiro) and Kinyinya (Gasabo).
Both institutions say their ongoing collaboration is guided by Rwanda’s National Early Childhood Development Policy and Vision 2050, which recognize that national prosperity begins with strong foundations for children’s growth and education.
