Children’s Education Network

image043.jpgAlthough the Rwandan Government has made primary school free for all children, addition school-related expenses prevent the poorest of Rwandans from taking advantage of this free education. Uniforms, school supplies, books, food and transportation are among them. The government also provides a small number of secondary school scholarships to the most qualified students. All other students need to pay a small fee to attend school. Often, this fee is equal to or greater than a family’s entire annual income. WE-ACTx Children’s Education Network is a volunteer-driven initiative to increase access to formal education and nutrition for children of WE-ACTx’s grassroots partner organizations. The program is small at present, linking children from one grassroots partner community with a US church and other institutional membership to “sponsor” children throughout their educational careers. WE-ACTx acts as an administrative conduit to the program, organizing purchase of school uniforms and supplies, payment of fees directly to the schools of the children, and provision of nutritious breakfasts for the children, their younger siblings, and breastfeeding and pregnant mothers. The grassroots partner organizations from which the sponsored children come organize the daily breakfasts and distribute school supplies purchased through the program.