Update on the The Street Children Reintegration and Education Support Program

Introduction

The Street Children Reintegration and Education Support Program aims to restore hope and dignity to children living on the streets or at risk of street life by facilitating their reintegration into families and schools. During this reporting period, the program focused on family tracing, counseling, school reentry support, and post-reintegration follow-up. Through a holistic approach rooted in compassion, community responsibility, and faith-based values, the program continues to transform the lives of vulnerable children in Rwanda. Families and foster families are encouraged to see us coming alongside them and help with educational support and counseling for child-parent strengthened relationships.

Objectives of the Program During this Period have been as follows:

·       Mobilize children still on the streets and encourage them to reintegrate into family life.

·       Support ex-street children currently in families to return to school.

·       Strengthen family relationships to prevent children from returning to the streets.

·       Provide school materials and education support for reintegration.

·       Follow up children released from rehabilitation centers and support their reentry into school and community life.

Key Activities Conducted

Family visits and counseling

Visited homes of ex-street children to assess readiness for school reintegration and family support

Encouraged families to support education plans; strengthened family cohesion.

Street outreach sessions

Met children still on the streets to counsel and encourage them to leave street life

Positive engagement; several expressed willingness to go back to school.

Parent/guardian meetings

Phone calls and meetings to gain family commitment to support children returning to school

Family collaboration improved.

School enrollment support

Registered children in schools and paid school fees

Both primary and secondary school enrollments made.

Distribution of school materials

Provided scholastic materials (uniforms, books, shoes, bags, hygienic materials..)

Reduced barriers to school reenrollment.

Support for children released from rehabilitation centers

Follow-up and reintegration support

Successfully reintegrated and enrolled in school.

 

Progress and Results

 

Number of Beneficiaries Supported

·       Number of children reached and supported during the period: 97

o   Children reintegrated from the street in September: 5

o   Children in families prepared for school reentry: 17

o   Children supported after rehabilitation center release: 3

o   Children reached out over the last 3 months but still on the street: 69

o   Children who have completed primary section: 2

o   Children who have completed High School: 1

o   Parents/caregivers visited and counseled: 8

 

 Family Reintegration

·       Children reunited with families reported increased emotional stability and reduced exposure to street risks.

·       Parents/guardians agreed to support children with home responsibilities and emotional care.

·       Follow-up visits show promising behavioral change and school attendance.

Spiritual and Social Development

·       Children participated in mentorship and prayer sessions.

·       They received guidance on self-discipline, respect, and building hope for a better future.

·       Positive feedback received from teachers, parents and local residents.

Outreach to mobilise children for school reentry in September 2025

Ready to go back to school – Children and some parents excited to get school materials and proof of payment           

Success Story

Dieu, a 14-year-old boy who had lived on the streets for two years due to family conflict and violence, accepted counseling during street outreach. After tracing his family and mediating reconciliation, he returned home in southern province when he was sick and needed someone to take care of him. By the grace of God he got a got a foster family because his father is indifferent and drunkard who cannot support this boy. Dieu Donee has received educational and school materials and is now enrolled in Primary 6 doing very well. He attends school regularly and dreams of becoming a school teacher. His guardian says, “This program gave me a son and brought blessings to our family.” 

Challenges

• Some children are still hesitant to leave street life due to peer influence.

• Poverty in some families increases the risk of school dropout.

• Limited funding restricts expansion to more areas and children in need of joining vocational training schools.

• Trauma among street children requires continuous counseling and psychosocial support.

• School teachers need training sessions on how to help ex-street children.

Plans for the Next Quarter

• Increase outreach sessions to reach more street children.

• Strengthen parental counseling and family follow-up to keep parents/guardians engaged in supporting their children.

• Provide additional psychosocial support through mentorship groups.

• Train parents/Guardians on child rights, financial literacy, livelihood opportunities, saving scheme, and parental responsibilities, which enables them to prevent relapse into street life.

• Follow up on school performance and attendance of reintegrated children.

Appreciation

We sincerely thank the donors for partnering with us to change lives of vulnerable children. Through their support, children are leaving the streets, returning to families, and gaining hope through education. Together, we are bringing God’s love and transformation to vulnerable lives.

Done at Kigali, October 15, 2025

Pius Nyakayiro

ED – GNPDR