Music, dance and kids's voices set the tone as UNICEF Rwanda celebrated 40 years of partnership with the Authorities and folks of Rwanda on June 26, unveiling an anniversary tune that displays 4 many years of advancing youngsters's rights, well being, training and safety.
Held at Zaria Court docket in Kigali, the celebration introduced collectively authorities leaders, improvement companions, educators, artistes and kids to replicate on the progress achieved over 4 many years and renew a shared dedication to making sure each little one has the chance to thrive.
UNICEF is a United Nations company devoted to bettering and selling the well-being of kids.
A key spotlight of the celebration was the launch of the UNICEF Rwanda@40 Anniversary Track, offered as a symbolic reflection of the organisation’s long-standing presence within the nation and its continued work with youngsters and younger folks.
#HAPPENING: UNICEF is marking 40 years of partnership with Rwanda at an ongoing occasion at Zaria Court docket, that includes the launch of an anniversary tune to mark the milestone.
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— The New Instances (Rwanda) (@NewTimesRwanda) June 26, 2026
The occasion introduced collectively authorities officers, UNICEF representatives, improvement companions, educators and kids in a vibrant gathering that blended music, dance and reflection on the progress made in little one wellbeing.
Amongst these in attendance have been Minister of Training Joseph Nsengimana, Minister of Youth and Arts Jean-Népo Abdallah Utumatwishima, UNICEF Nation Consultant Lieke van de Wiel, and UNDP Resident Consultant Fatmata Lovetta Sesay.
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The night featured performances by youngsters, artists and cultural teams, together with Peace Jolis and performers from the Sherrie Silver Basis, showcasing the function of arts and creativity in supporting studying and little one improvement.
Seven faculties that partnered with the Sherrie Silver Basis below the UNICEF tune mission have been additionally recognised for his or her involvement in utilizing dance and efficiency as a part of the initiative, which blends creativity with studying.
UNICEF plans to broaden the partnership by establishing inventive golf equipment in faculties to additional strengthen youngsters’s creative expression and participation in related programmes throughout the nation.
UNICEF highlights 4 many years of partnership and impression in little one safety
Talking on the occasion, UNICEF Rwanda Nation Consultant Lieke van de Wiel stated the 40-year journey displays a robust partnership constructed with authorities establishments, communities and kids.
“Standing right here at the moment, surrounded by such pleasure and unbelievable vitality, I can solely specific my deepest gratitude to all of you,” she stated, thanking companions for his or her function in advancing youngsters’s rights in Rwanda.
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Van de Wiel stated the anniversary goes past celebration, calling it a second of renewed dedication to youngsters.
“You’re UNICEF and UNICEF is all of you,” she added.
She highlighted ongoing initiatives, together with the planting of 40 fruit bushes in each main faculty throughout the nation in collaboration with authorities ministries and native authorities, geared toward linking training with environmental consciousness in addition to bettering college students’ diet.
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She additionally pointed to regional educational collaborations involving over 20 universities below the Ministry of Overseas Affairs, centered on little one rights advocacy and youth engagement in coverage dialogue.
A musical tribute to 4 many years of partnership
The UNICEF Rwanda@40 Anniversary Track, carried out by UNICEF Champion Andy Bumuntu, options choreography by Sherrie Silver and performances by youngsters from the Sherrie Silver Basis. The tune is anticipated for use all through the anniversary yr in faculties and group actions.
Van de Wiel stated she hopes the tune will grow to be a unifying anthem main as much as World Kids’s Day on November 20, when the anniversary celebrations will culminate in a nationwide youngsters’s gala.
Authorities applauds UNICEF’s long-term dedication
Minister of Youth and Arts Jean-Népo Abdallah Utumatwishima recommended UNICEF for 4 many years of partnership with Rwanda, describing it as a relationship constructed on consistency and impression.
“Forty years of UNICEF in Rwanda isn’t just historical past. It’s 4 many years of dedication, compassion and actual impression,” he stated.
He stated UNICEF has remained a key associate in nationwide improvement programmes, together with training, well being and little one safety initiatives such because the RISE programme.
“Collectively, we’re constructing a Rwanda the place each little one is educated, wholesome, protected and empowered,” he stated.
Faculties report impression of inventive studying method
Richard Mugisha, Headteacher of Camp Kigali Faculty, one of many establishments recognised for its partnership with UNICEF and the Sherrie Silver Basis, stated the initiative has helped enhance learners’ engagement and confidence.
He stated combining studying with inventive actions helps pupils higher take up classes and cut back educational stress forward of examinations.
“When youngsters have interaction in studying alongside leisure, it helps them refresh their minds and focus higher,” he stated.
He added that learners who participated within the programme appeared extra ready and motivated for nationwide examinations.
The celebrations will proceed all year long, culminating within the World Kids’s Day Gala on November 20, the place companions are anticipated to resume their dedication to advancing youngsters’s rights in Rwanda.
