Women Plan Rwanda continues its efforts to support girls’ education through awareness campaigns aimed at preventing school dropout and addressing challenges that hinder girls’ academic progress.
The discussions, which focused on sensitizing girls about preventing teenage pregnancies, were held at GS Kaganza on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
In his message to students, Jean Pierre Rukundo, the Quality Control and Compliance Manager at Women Plan Rwanda, encouraged students to think seriously about their future and avoid anything that could force them out of school and ruin their opportunities.
“A girl child has the same potential as anyone else. When she is given proper information and guidance, she can avoid things that may prevent her from achieving her dreams,” he said.
Speaking about the reason behind organizing the Dropout Prevention Campaign, Rukundo explained that they realized paying school feeding fees and providing school materials alone is not enough to guarantee that a child is safe or able to study well.
“Even when a child receives school requirements, there are still many challenges they face, including unintended pregnancies, changes related to reproductive health that they often lack enough information about, and gender-based violence that is common in rural areas,” he said.
“It is for this reason that Women Plan Rwanda organized this campaign through its DOP project so that we can provide awareness talks focused on preventing all factors that may cause a girl child to drop out of school,” he added.
The head teacher of GS Kaganza, Jean Baptiste Gatari, thanked Women Plan Rwanda for its role in helping children study in a safe environment by providing school necessities and awareness sessions.
He said: “These talks are very important because after a child receives school requirements, they also need guidance on good behavior so they can avoid anything that may affect their education.”
He further advised students not to be distracted by small temporary pleasures that could make them lose focus on their goals, but instead remain content with their current situation while working hard for a better future.
He said: “I ask you to avoid being influenced by temporary things that may destroy your future. Understand that what you do not have today can be achieved in the future through education and perseverance.”
Some students said they gained valuable lessons from the discussions, especially on how to avoid problems that may negatively affect their studies.
Uwase Aline, a Senior Two student, said she learned how to avoid people who may influence girls into behaviors that can lead to teenage pregnancy and school dropout.
We learned the importance of choosing good friends, valuing ourselves, and prioritizing education,” she said.
Another student, Benitha Niyogisubizo, said the discussions helped him understand the role boys should play in protecting and respecting girls.
“I learned that boys also have the responsibility to support girls, respect their rights, and encourage them to continue studying well. We all have a role in building a better future,” she said.
Women Plan Rwanda continues supporting children’s education through the provision of school materials and hygiene kits, including notebooks, pens, menstrual hygiene kits, and school feeding support.
At GS Kaganza, the organization currently supports 53 students by providing school materials and paying for their school meals.
After realizing that school supplies alone were not enough, Women Plan Rwanda introduced the Dropout Prevention Campaign, a program designed to fight all causes of school dropout through awareness and educational talks.