On Saturday, January 24, 2026, hope was restored to many young lives in Muhanga Dustrict as Women Plan Rwanda, in partnership with students from Green Hills Academy, reached out to vulnerable school children and teenage single mothers. Through two key projects Dropout Prevention Program (DOP) and Single Mothers Empowerment Program (SMEP) the organization distributed school materials and hygiene kits, saying that education grows best where care meets opportunity 📚💖.
Women Plan Rwanda is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that focuses on empowering rural women, girls, youth, and families for equitable and sustainable community development. The organization works closely with local leaders, schools, and families to identify children at risk of dropping out of school and young mothers who need support to rebuild their lives.
This initiative was made possible with the support of students from Green Hills Academy, who joined hands with Women Plan Rwanda to stand with girls and children facing difficult life situations.
Speaking during the activity, Rukundo Jean Pierre, Program Officer at Women Plan Rwanda, explained the organization’s mission and ongoing work.
“Women Plan Rwanda currently runs two main projects; The first one is DOP ‘Drop out Prevention Program’ which aims to prevent anything that can cause a girl to leave school. The second is SMEP ‘Single Mothers Empowerment Program’, which supports young mothers socially and economically.” he said
Rukundo explained that under DOP, the organization supports 106 students by paying school fees, providing school feeding, uniforms, notebooks, pens, and hygiene kits, especially for girls 🧼🎒.
“We work with local leaders from village to sector level and with schools to identify children most in need, we currently partner with eighteen schools thirteen boarding schools and five-day schools.” He added
Women Plan Rwanda operates in nine districts across Rwanda, including seven in the Southern Province, Musanze in the Northern Province, and Gatsibo in the Eastern Province.
Under SMEP, the organization supports 450 teenage single mothers from seven districts in the Southern Province. These young women are trained for six months in life skills, savings, and small business development through community savings groups.
“Some of our beneficiaries now own livestock, have built houses, and taken their children back to school, our goal is to empower rural women and children so that no one is left behind because of poverty, ignorance, or harmful cultural beliefs.” Rukundo said
VOICES FROM BENEFICIARIES – STUDENTS
Ishimwe Solange One of the DOP beneficiaries, a student supported by Women Plan Rwanda, shared how the program changed her life.
“Before the project came, I was always sent home to work, looking for grass for cows while others were studying, my marks were around 55%. After joining the program, my performance improved to 80%, and I believe I can even reach 90%.” She said
She now dreams big:
“I want to become a doctor in the future and work in big hospitals.”
Another student beneficiary, Iradukunda Kevin, a Senior Three student at GS Ivunga, also testified.
“Before joining the program, I was told to stop studying after Primary Six because there was no money, Now Women Plan Rwanda pays my school fees and gives us notebooks and pens. I am confident that I will finish school and even go to university.” She said
VOICES FROM BENEFICIARIES – SINGLE MOTHERS
Among the SMEP beneficiaries was Mukamazimpaka Brigitte, a young mother from Shyogwe Sector, who gave an testimony.
“I gave birth when I was only 17 years old. Life became very hard. I was rejected and had no support, But when I joined the SMEP program, I realized I was not alone.” She said
Through the savings groups, Brigitte started small businesses and can now provide basic needs for her child.
“Today, I don’t lack soap or salt at home. My daughter is five years old and is going to Primary One next year,” she said.
Another young mother Amizero Natasha explained how the program helped her regain dignity and confidence.
“Before, people judged us. Now we meet, talk, support each other, and share advice, Women Plan Rwanda helped us believe in ourselves again.” Sha said
MESSAGE TO PARENTS AND COMMUNITY
Rukundo Jean Pierre also sent a message to parents and communities:
“When a girl becomes pregnant, it is a challenge, not a reason to chase her away. Pregnancy and childbirth are not crimes. Parents must support their children and give them a second chance.”
He emphasized that education is the most valuable inheritance parents can give their children.
ROLE OF GREEN HILLS ACADEMY STUDENTS
Brenda Moussa, a Senior 2 (G8) student at Green Hills Academy, explained why her group chose to support women and girls:
“My group and I decided to work on a community project that empowers women. We chose this because we live in a society where women often do not really have a choice. Many times, women are seen as nothing more than child bearers. Their talents are ignored, and their potential is not recognized.”
She said the idea came from what they see every day in society:
“When we talk about families and communities, we see that boys are often given more privileges than girls. Men are the ones who get more opportunities and jobs. Even in many public spaces, you find more men than women. This made us realize that inequality is still very real.”
Brenda added that this pushed them to take action:
“We took it upon ourselves to stand up and help women and girls who are in need. We believe that if men have choices, then women should also have choices. Women deserve equal opportunities and equal respect.”
She said seeing the beneficiaries changed how they felt:
“Today, we see that they are happy, and that makes us happy too. We know they come from far. We know they have struggled and gone through a lot in life. But we hope that not only us, but also other people, will continue to support them.”
She ended with about the future:
“We believe that these children can have a better future. They can go to school, live in stable homes, and feel safe. Being here showed us that education is a privilege. We are proud to stand with girls and young mothers and to remind them that their future still matters.”
Under DOP, the organization supports 106 students by paying school fees, providing school feeding, uniforms, notebooks, pens, and hygiene kits, especially for girls 🧼🎒. Women Plan Rwanda operates in nine districts across Rwanda, including seven in the Southern Province, Musanze in the Northern Province, and Gatsibo in the Eastern Province.Under SMEP, the organization supports 450 teenage single mothers from seven districts in the Southern Province.
