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By Annonciata Byukusenge
Children in Nyaruguru District who are supported by the Compassion International program say their rights are upheld in their daily lives. They shared these reflections during celebrations marking the Day of the African Child.
This year’s commemoration took place on Saturday, July 11, 2026, under the theme “Ndera neza nkure nemye.”
Speaking on behalf of her fellow beneficiaries, a girl named Dorcas Tuyizere explained how grateful the children are for the support Compassion provides toward their education, general well-being, and spiritual growth.
“A child who is fortunate enough to be supported by Compassion doesn’t have to worry about dropping out of school, unless it’s due to illness that makes it impossible to continue studying. Compassion pays our school fees, covers our medical insurance, and provides school materials, uniforms, and food. These are some of the most basic needs for every child, even though not every child gets this opportunity.”
She added that the program also teaches children about reproductive health, helping them avoid unplanned pregnancies and recognize the tactics used by people who try to lure them into harmful behavior.
“Teenage pregnancy is a real problem, but it often happens because many girls simply don’t have accurate information, which leaves them vulnerable to being taken advantage of. Through Compassion, we’re taught about reproductive health and how to protect ourselves from these risks.”
In this ceremony, children presented their talents through a poem and a traditional dance.
Pastor Jean Bosco Uwiragiye, who represents the Christian churches and denominations working with Compassion in Nyaruguru District, noted that while children’s rights are given special attention, the broader goal of Compassion is to free children from the hold of poverty in the name of Jesus.
“We help children build healthy relationships with others so they grow up holding Christian values. But our work doesn’t stop there; we also help their families escape poverty and become self-reliant through savings groups. We teach them how to work with financial institutions so they can build lasting prosperity.”
One challenge the children raised is that, for many of them, life effectively comes to a stop after secondary school if they aren’t able to pass their exams well enough to continue to university.
Pastor Uwiragiye responded to this concern: “We’ve launched a vocational training program open to every child, whether or not they had the chance to further their studies. Every child supported by Compassion will now also receive vocational training, even those who complete university. We’re also planning to build a TVET school soon so that every child comes away with the skills to create their own livelihood.”
In Nyaruguru District, Compassion currently supports 6,600 children across the district’s 14 sectors, working in partnership with local Christian churches operating in those sectors.
