UNICEF, Stakeholders Launch ‘Itetero.rw’, An Edutainment Platform for Rwandan Children and Caregivers

By Elias Hakizimana.

In a significant stride towards enhancing the educational and nurturing experiences of Rwandan children, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the National Childhood Development Agency (NCDA) and Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), has unveiled ‘Itetero.rw’ – an innovative edutainment platform designed to cater to the needs of children aged 0 to 18 and their caregivers.

The launch event, which took place in Kigali on October 20, 2023, witnessed the participation of key ministries responsible for child welfare, including the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), Ministry of Health, Ministry of ICT, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, and the Ministry of Education.

Additionally, partner government agencies, development partners, civil societies, private sector representatives, children, adolescents, youth, and 24 selected participants from the Itetero listening clubs and RBA Itetero team played pivotal roles in the launch event.

“Itetero.rw” boasts a range of unique features, such as its compatibility with low-end mobile devices, diverse content offerings, data-free access for Airtel subscribers, offline smartphone access, and the capacity to facilitate interactive engagement through surveys, as per UNESCO. This groundbreaking platform covers a wide spectrum of subjects, including early childhood nurturing care, health education, and climate change awareness, with the overarching mission of empowering communities through accessible and data-free educational resources.

Ms. Julianna Lindsey, UNICEF Country Representative to Rwanda, highlighted the evolution of the program since its inception in 2015. She emphasized that “Itetero.rw” goes beyond children, offering valuable information for teenagers. Notably, the program has garnered immense popularity, with 6 million viewers on Rwanda Television and 8 million subscribers on YouTube, attesting to its significance in reaching a broad audience.

Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, affirmed the program’s importance, stating, “Itetero.rw will be a good platform to help children, parents, educators, and caregivers to easily find learning and teaching materials to execute their responsibilities at any time, whether using mobile technology or any other models.”

The personal experiences of caregivers, like Rosette Mukarwego, further underscore the program’s benefits. Mukarwego, who manages Early Childhood Education (ECD) activities at her home, emphasized the positive impact of “Itetero” in facilitating proper nutrition and moral education for children, fostering innovation and healthy growth.

Marie Gitta Rutayisire, a 12-year-old student and member of the Itetero community, highlighted how the program has taught her important life skills, including discipline, caring for children with disabilities, and hygiene. She also mentioned that her involvement in the program has helped her financially, enabling her to acquire educational materials and meet her basic needs.

Since October 2015, “Itetero” has been a beloved radio and TV program, produced by RBA and MIGEPROF/NCDA in partnership with UNICEF. Over the years, it has delivered a wealth of content through approximately 360 radio episodes and over 200 TV episodes, broadcast on Radio Rwanda and Rwanda TV.

“Itetero.rw” represents a significant step towards accessible, engaging, and informative content for Rwandan children and their caregivers, reaffirming the commitment of UNICEF, NCDA, and RBA to the well-being and education of the nation’s youth.

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