At a time when education remains one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty, millions of vulnerable children around the world continue to face barriers that prevent them from accessing quality learning. It is in response to this reality that Hakizimana Esron Rusangwa, an education professional with more than 25 years of teaching experience, has launched a new organization dedicated to supporting children most at risk of being left behind.
In a telephone interview with a journalist, Hakizimana Esron Rusangwa explained that the creation of Rusangwa Children’s Foundation (RCF) stems from a long-standing concern shaped by years of working directly with students. According to him, the failure of many children to succeed in school is rarely due to a lack of ability or motivation, but rather to avoidable structural challenges.
Turning classroom experience into structured action
For over two decades, Rusangwa worked as a teacher, witnessing first-hand the struggles faced by children from disadvantaged backgrounds. He observed that educational challenges often extend beyond the classroom and are closely linked to poverty, food insecurity, lack of school uniforms and supplies, limited academic support, and, in some cases, unsafe environments.
“Many children want to learn and have the potential to succeed, but they drop out because basic needs are not met,” he said during the phone interview.
These observations ultimately led him to establish Rusangwa Children’s Foundation, an international non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting, educating, and empowering vulnerable children.
An international organization with a local focus
Currently based in Australia, where he lives and oversees strategic leadership and international partnerships, Hakizimana Esron Rusangwa emphasized that RCF’s operational activities will be implemented locally, beginning in Kigali City’s Kicukiro District in Rwanda. The foundation also has a regional vision, with planned future interventions in Uganda, Kenya, and the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, subject to security conditions and legal frameworks.
According to the founder, this international structure allows the organization to meet global standards of governance, transparency, and child safeguarding while remaining closely connected to local communities.
Practical programs addressing urgent needs
Rusangwa Children’s Foundation focuses on concrete, integrated interventions designed to remove the barriers that keep children out of school. Its core programs include:
- the provision of school uniforms and learning materials,
- school fees support for children from the most vulnerable households,
- nutrition and meals support to improve concentration and regular school attendance,
- tutoring and mentorship programs to strengthen academic performance and self-confidence,
and the implementation of strict child protection and safeguarding mechanisms, based on a zero-tolerance policy toward abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
All activities are carried out in close collaboration with schools, families, and community stakeholders to ensure sustainability and relevance to local needs.
Education as an investment in the future
For Hakizimana Esron Rusangwa, education represents far more than individual success. He views it as a long-term investment in social stability and development. “When you support one child, you are supporting an entire family and community,” he noted, stressing the importance of holistic approaches that address children’s overall wellbeing.
A call to donors and partners
Through Rusangwa Children’s Foundation, the founder is calling on international organizations, foundations, corporate partners, members of the diaspora, and individual donors to join the initiative. Support can take many forms, including child sponsorship, funding of specific education or nutrition programs, and long-term partnerships aimed at expanding access to quality education for vulnerable children.
The foundation’s objective is not limited to short-term assistance. Its broader ambition is to equip children with the tools, confidence, and opportunities they need to become independent and positive contributors to their societies.
A long-term vision
Looking ahead, Rusangwa Children’s Foundation aims to grow into a regional reference organization in the field of child education and protection. It is a vision driven by experience, conviction, and a deep commitment from a man who, after more than 25 years in education, chose to transform his professional journey into a humanitarian mission with lasting impact.
