Ineza Foundation Monthly Newsletter – August/September 2025 Edition
Shyorongi Families Celebrate Sports, Culture, and Literacy
In this issue, we feature the Urumuri Holidays Fest 2025 in Shyorongi Sector, a vibrant celebration that combined sports, literacy, culture, and family empowerment. The festival not only brought joy to families but also served as a platform for learning, resilience, and community transformation.
Sports, Discipline, and Community Spirit Define the Fest
The festival opened with energetic sports competitions, including 400m sprints and 5000m endurance races, where children and youth demonstrated determination and teamwork. Parents and leaders cheered them on, highlighting the races as lessons in resilience and discipline.
Top winners received cash prizes, with Iradukunda Olivier from Gatimba Village earning first place in the 5000m race and a prize of 50,000 Rwf. Leaders encouraged winners to invest responsibly in small projects or savings. Parents expressed pride, noting that the races taught children life lessons that go beyond the track.
Welcome to this month’s edition of the Ineza Foundation Newsletter, where we share highlights from our programs and community events that are shaping the future of children, youth, and families across Rwanda.
Ineza Foundation Showcases Literacy and Early Childhood Services
Families explored exhibition stalls where Ineza Foundation presented its key programs in Early Childhood Development (ECD), community libraries, and parent-led cooperatives. The ECD section demonstrated how nutrition, hygiene, play, and early literacy prepare children for school. Community libraries showcased interactive reading and storytelling, helping parents embrace family reading hours. Cooperative Umurinzi, a women-led initiative, displayed handcrafts and weaving, linking literacy to livelihoods.
“Ineza’s libraries are not just places for reading but safe spaces where children build confidence, creativity, and discipline,” said Janvier Niyonsaba, Ineza Foundation representative.
Culture Meets Literacy Through Dance, Drama, and Parades
Traditional performances brought Rwanda’s culture to life. Itorero Babakemba troupe mesmerized the crowd with dance and drumming, while drama groups addressed issues such as drug abuse, school dropout, and early pregnancies.
A highlight was the Akarasisi parade, where children from Shyorongi Community Library marched with songs and banners celebrating reading. Leaders praised the performances for uniting cultural pride with literacy promotion.
“This festival shows us that culture and literacy go hand in hand in raising responsible citizens,” said Epiphanie Mukamuhizi, Head of Good Governance in Shyorongi Sector.
Parents Testify to the Power of Libraries
Parents shared heartfelt stories about how Ineza’s community libraries transformed their children’s lives. One mother explained how her children, once idle during holidays, had grown passionate about books and improved academically and socially.
Families agreed that libraries provide safe, nurturing spaces that protect children from harmful influences while strengthening literacy and discipline.
Leaders Guide Families on Values and Responsibilities
Local leaders used the platform to speak on critical issues like hygiene, morality, drug abuse, and discipline.Jean Bosco Ishimwe, Director of Rulindo Youth Center, encouraged youth to spend holidays wisely through learning, reading, and service. Epiphanie Mukamuhizi urged parents to instill family values and make use of libraries as daily learning spaces.
Their guidance turned the festival into a community classroom that combined entertainment with moral teaching.
Cooperative Umurinzi: Linking Literacy and Livelihoods
The festival also celebrated economic empowerment through Cooperative Umurinzi, where women showcased woven crafts and trained children in weaving. Leaders praised the initiative as proof that literacy can fuel livelihoods and family growth.
“When families are empowered, children’s education becomes stronger,” a leader remarked, encouraging parents to adopt small income-generating projects.
Closing Note
The Urumuri Holidays Fest 2025 was more than a celebration - it was a powerful reminder that sports, culture, and literacy together build resilient families and thriving communities. With the support of Ineza Foundation and partners, Shyorongi families showed that holidays can be opportunities for growth, creativity, and lasting impact.ers families through handcrafts and literacy support.