Gasabo: Love With Actions inaugurates an inclusive school in Bumbogo

By Elias Hakizimana.

Love With Actions (LWA) inaugurated a new school building to boost inclusive education and facilitate children with disabilities to have access to education.

Dubbed ‘Good Shepherd Academy’, the facility that is built inside the premises of the organization’s headquarters in Bumbogo Sector, Gasabo District was officially launched on Monday, August 29, 2022.

This school was sponsored by Christians from St. James Presbyterian Church in Colorado, USA, and other generous people and churches.

The school has four rooms (100 seats) with suitable tables and chairs as well as a blackboard that are all accessible to children. It will begin with at least 75 children including both with and without disabilities.

Speaking to the media during the inaugural ceremony, Gilbert Kibwimana, Executive Director and Founder of Love With Actions said that three rooms will be operating with 25 children in Nursery 1&2.

“Above one year ago, we started with a small class that operated as an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Center for children with disability,”Kubwimana said.

Love with Actions is serving 48 children at Nduba and has now opened a new branch at Nduba where they serve 20 children.

Kubwimana appreciates the efforts of partners who contributed to the construction and equipment of the school.

Children will be staying at the school and get food and other basic treatment apart from skills. This will help their mothers to take time and do other activities according to Kubwimana.

Beneficiaries speak out

Jean Bosco Bimenyimana, a parent whose 7-year-old daughter is among the beneficiaries said that he could not manage to take her child to the public schools due to the conditions of capacity and discrimination against children with disabilities.

“I am happy for this facility, may child will learn and will be well treated,” he said.

Clementine Tuyisenge also has a 12-year old daughter who has physical disability. She is not able to touch with fingers and she cannot stand because the legs are disabled.

Tuyisenge said that he child was studying in a public school, but teachers used to discriminate her and could not treat her as other children who have not disabilities.

“My child can speak and hear. She could tell me whatever happens at school and teachers could not even approach her and ask her something about the lessons. Good Shepherd Academy comes as a response.” she said.

Ernestine Uwizeyimana, another parent who has a child with physical disability plus ‘hydrocephalus’ (a build-up of fluid in the cavities deep within the brain) said that her child started with the school before and made a significant improvement.

“She could not speak before joining this school, they taught her and she speaks and she can repeat the lessons at home,” Uwizeyimana said.

Speaking on behalf of local government, Olivier Hakizayezu, Citizen Complain Officer Team Leader of Bumbogo sector warmly welcomed the school, saying that it will complement the efforts of the governments in promoting access to education for all.

“Inclusive schools play a vital role in Rwandan society and help our citizens. Persons with disabilities were deprived of many opportunities including access to education, it is of high value to have this school in our sector and it is an added asset that it will welcome other children who have not disabilities,” Hakizayezu said.

The construction and equipment of the new inaugurated school building worth Rwf 45 million.

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