As concerns continue to rise over school dropout, teenage pregnancies, and drug abuse among young people, Women Plan Rwanda organized an “Edutainment School Dropout Prevention Campaign” at GS Vunga aimed at encouraging students to avoid behaviors that could jeopardize their future and interrupt their education.
The awareness campaign held on 8 May 2026 in G’S Vunga School, brought together students, teachers, and school leaders, focusing on discussions around preventing teenage pregnancies, fighting substance abuse, and promoting education as a key foundation for a better future.
Dianah Mbabazi, the Communication and Development Manager for the project, said the initiative seeks to reach as many students as possible with information that can help them make responsible life choices.
“We realized that many children are facing challenges that push some of them out of school or into harmful behaviors. That is why we continue to engage them so they understand that their future depends on the decisions they make today,” she said.
Mbabazi added that the project has also been supporting vulnerable students by providing school materials and covering school feeding costs, helping many children stay focused on their education despite financial hardships.
Students who attended the sessions said the campaign gave them practical guidance on avoiding peer pressure and harmful influences that can lead to risky behavior.
Uwase Clarisse, a Senior One student, said the discussions helped her better understand the importance of avoiding bad company and behaviors that may result in unplanned pregnancies.
“What I learned from this discussion is that we must avoid bad friends and negative influences, continue focusing on education, and stay away from behaviors that can lead us into bad habits and unplanned pregnancies,” she said.
She also encouraged fellow students who were unable to attend the campaign to remain disciplined and cautious, noting that many harmful influences exist outside school environments.
Another student, Odetta Niyonsenga, said initiatives like this help young people appreciate the value of their future and understand that success begins with making good decisions.
“When we receive this kind of guidance, we better understand that success and a good future depend on avoiding harmful behaviors and prioritizing education,” she noted.
On the side of teachers, Dushimimana Florence, a teacher and girls’ mentor at GS Vunga, said many girls today are increasingly vulnerable to material temptations and manipulation by older men with financial means.
“Many children are no longer satisfied with the living conditions of their families. As a result, older men take advantage of them by offering clothes, school materials, or money, which eventually draws them into harmful behaviors,” she explained.
Dushimimana further warned that drug abuse remains another major threat affecting young people, as substance use often causes students to lose self-control and engage in actions that negatively affect both their education and their future.
She called on parents to play a stronger role in guiding and supporting their children through regular conversations and emotional support.
“Parents should spend more time talking to their children and teaching them to appreciate the life they have. When children are neglected, they easily fall for anything that comes their way,” she said.
The Women Plan Rwanda project has been working with 53 vulnerable students at GS Vunga for over two years, providing them with essential school materials and educational support. However, the awareness sessions were extended to all 1887 students of the school.
