In an effort to combat school dropout, teenage pregnancies, and substance abuse among young people, Women Plan Rwanda organized an edutainment-based School Dropout Prevention Campaign at GS Kizibere on 7 May 2026 , aimed at helping students understand the long-term consequences of behaviors that can jeopardize their future.
The organization, which primarily supports women and girls in rural communities through socio-economic empowerment programs, also provides assistance to vulnerable students facing financial hardships. At GS Kizibere in particular, the project currently supports 60 students by providing school materials and covering school feeding costs to help them remain focused on their studies.
Speaking during the campaign, Jean Pierre Rukundo, the Monitoring Officer for Women Plan Rwanda projects, highlighted the harmful effects of drug abuse among young people, warning that substance use can destroy a student’s future and divert them from achieving their goals.
He urged students to stay away from drugs such as marijuana, cigarettes, and other substances commonly abused by youth.
“Students must avoid all forms of drug abuse because anyone who wants to achieve their dreams must first protect their health and prioritize education,” he said.
Rukundo also addressed the issue of teenage pregnancy, emphasizing that children should focus on education and preparing for a better future instead of engaging in behaviors that may limit their opportunities in life.
Several students who attended the awareness session said the discussions had helped them better understand how peer pressure and material temptations can lead students into destructive behaviors that negatively affect their education and future ambitions.
Karabo Nicole, a Senior Three student, said the campaign opened her eyes to the dangers faced by many teenage girls who are lured into early sexual relationships through money and gifts.
“The biggest lesson I learned is to avoid people who distract us from education and push us into bad behaviors. We must focus on studying and building our future,” she said.
Karabo also encouraged fellow students not to be influenced by people who entice them with money or material gifts, but instead to remain committed to their studies and listen to guidance from parents and teachers.
Another student, Ishimwe Jean Claude, said the campaign inspired students to become more proactive in helping and protecting one another.
“We have decided that whenever we see a fellow student at risk of dropping out or being negatively influenced, we will report the issue to school authorities so that help can be provided early,” he noted.
On the side of the school administration, Bakaka Ignas, one of the teachers at GS Kizibere, said family conflicts and poverty remain among the major causes of school dropout and substance abuse among students.
“When you look at the communities we live in, many family-related challenges contribute to children dropping out of school. These discussions are helping students understand the importance of education and staying away from harmful behaviors,” he explained.
He further praised the project for supporting disadvantaged students, especially through the provision of school materials and school meals that enable them to attend classes regularly and study in better conditions.
The Women Plan Rwanda project had already been supporting 60 students at Groupe Scolaire Saint Dominique Savio Kizibere. To ensure that the campaign’s message reaches above 2400 learners at the school, the awareness event brought together students, teachers, and school leaders to educate them on preventing drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and school dropout.
