June 16, Umuhuza and its partners and stakeholders jointly organized activities to celebrate the Day of the African Child in different parts of the country.
At the National level, the day was celebrated under the theme, “Isibo, a pivot to child development.”
This year’s celebration was held at Isibo level (the smallest administrative units) and on the day children under five were measured for height and weight and fed with nutritious food and milk and given Vitamin A.
Umuhuza with partners such as Right to Play and Districts including Kirehe, Bugesera, Kayonza and Ruhango as well as the National Children Development Agency (NCDA) conducted activities in selected Amasibo.
In collaboration with the districts of Bugesera, Kirehe and Ruhango, Umuhuza joined them to organize and celebrate the Day of the African Child.
In Kirehe District, the event was held at Isibo of Imbasharugamba located in Twizerane village, Nyabigega cell, Kirehe sector while in Bugesera District the activity took place at Isibo of Ubutwari in Kagoma village, Kibungo cell, Ntarama sector.
In Ruhango, Umuhuza held the event at Isibo of Abashyizehamwe in Nyaruteja village, Burima cell, Kinazi sector and the event was witnessed by the Executive Secretary of Kinazi sector, Pascal Nsanzabera alongside with other local leaders.
Officials, parents, Friends of family (Inshuti z’Umuryango), Community Health Workers, children and other community volunteers witnessed the events.
Addressing the participants gathered at Gahuzamiryango home-based Early Childhood Development centre in Twizerane village, Nyabigega cell, Kirehe sector, Mayor Gerard Muzungu said that effective child development is the pillar of sustainable development in the country.
“Children are expected to be the future leaders of the country. Only by preparing ahead can they become responsible and relevant leaders. We have a responsibility to ensure our children’s well-being and behavior change so that they help themselves and the country,” Muzungu noted.
He called on parents to give their children enough time and follow up their early childhood development, stressing the role of the Early Childhood Development Centres in improving children’s well-being and preventing them from wandering and developing bad attitudes.
Bugesera District Mayor Richard Mutabazi urged parents to focus on Early Childhood Development, children’s positive behaviors, and encourage them to attend school.
According to Dr. Anitha Asiime, Director-General of the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), residents of Isibo have the capacity to identify malnutrition problems and their causes, identify solutions and follow up regularly to ensure the effective implementation of recommended measures to address them.
“As residents of Isibo, we need to play our part and fulfill our duty in various ways to promote holistic development of children. We also need to step up efforts to address malnutrition and stunting by implementing measures such as planting vegetable gardens, planting at least three trees per household, providing nutritious meals for children and pregnant women and creating more home-based Early Childhood Development Centres,” Asiimwe noted.
Mathilde Kayitesi, the Executive Secretary of Umuhuza Organisation, called on parents to treat all children equally, be close to them and help them develop their talents as early as possible.
Kayitesi noted that it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure effective child development. “We all need to actively improve children’s development and protect them from any influence that affects their growth.”
During this month dedicated to children, Umuhuza will send text messages to parents, guardians, and community volunteers via Mobile phones and radio spot (audio message) will be aired on Radio Rwanda on daily basis, calling on them to participate in activities aimed at combating malnutrition, stunting, and child rights violence.
