Ineza Foundation, an organization that promotes reading and writing in Rwanda, marked International Literacy Day at G.S. Shyorongi in Rulindo District by awarding children who excelled in the Urumuri Holidays Fest a holiday program designed to inspire a culture of reading among young people.
One of the winners, Ineza Raissa Blessing, a Primary Six student at GS Shyorongi, shared how reading transformed her learning journey.
“I gained a lot of knowledge in class. At first, I didn’t know how to read, but reading helped me learn, and that’s how I became the top student,” she said.
Her classmate, Patrick, recalled how he began visiting the Ineza Foundation library in 2024, which helped him gain confidence.
“Reading helped me a lot because I couldn’t even dare to stand up or take a book and read in front of other children,” he said.
The celebration also highlighted the foundation’s impact in schools such as Stella Matutina Secondary School, which has benefited from donated books that improved students’ learning. Teachers noted that the resources have not only strengthened reading habits but also boosted performance in academics, debates, and public speaking.
Blaise Byishimo, a teacher and debate coach at Stella Matutina, remembered when the school struggled with outdated and limited books. After partnering with Ineza Foundation, the school received materials that sparked a sustainable reading culture.
“The knowledge students gain from these books gives them debating and public speaking skills that allow them to excel even at national-level competitions,” Byishimo said.
Speaking at the event, Janvier Niyonsaba of Ineza Foundation expressed pride in the positive changes brought by the organization’s book donations.
“Reading changes lives, especially for students, because it broadens their knowledge. When we see that these books bring real benefits and create change, it is worth celebrating,” he said.
For the past two years, Ineza Foundation has partnered with schools like Stella Matutina by providing books and resources to strengthen a reading culture. The organization raises funds to support schools and libraries across Rwanda, ensuring more children gain access to learning materials.
Operating in Rulindo and Gasabo Districts, Ineza Foundation receives at least two containers of books each year, which it distributes free of charge to schools and community libraries nationwide.
This year’s Urumuri Holidays Fest was held under the theme: “Support our children during school holidays for their well-being.”
