In a small village in Gicumbi district, a young boy named Jean Claude Manirakiza walks to school each morning, eager to learn but often hungry and without access to proper learning materials. For children like Jean Claude across Rwanda, the barriers to education and growth can feel overwhelming. But a new partnership between MTN Rwanda and UNICEF Rwanda is determined to change that.
The partnership, officially launched this Thursday afternoon at a press briefing held at MTN headquarters in Kigali, was announced by MTN CEO Mapula Bodibe and UNICEF Rwanda Country Representative Julianna Lindsey. The two leaders highlighted their commitment to improving education and nutrition for Rwanda’s most vulnerable children.
With a combined effort to tackle malnutrition and bridge the digital divide, MTN is contributing Rwf 138 million (approximately US$100,000) to provide free access to digital learning platforms and an additional Rwf 38 million to support a feeding program. The program will deliver daily eggs to over 1,000 schoolchildren like Jean Claude as a nutritional supplement for children facing shortages in balanced diets. While the egg is not a complete solution to the challenge of malnutrition, it represents a vital step in improving children’s cognitive development and ensuring better school attendance.
For Jean Claude and thousands of others, this initiative means more than just access to food. Improved nutrition, combined with digital tools, will empower them to focus on their studies and dream of a brighter future. The zero-rated digital platforms provided by MTN will make educational resources available at no cost to over 1.5 million students, teachers, and caregivers, removing barriers to learning for those in underserved areas.
Julianna Lindsey said that the partnership also prioritizes child online safety, with funding dedicated to research on protecting children in the digital space. By assessing risks like online exploitation and abuse, the initiative aims to create safer environments for over 500,000 children navigating the digital world.
“This partnership is about investing in the future of Rwanda’s children,” said Mapula Bodibe during the briefing. “By addressing critical issues like access to education and nutrition, we are helping create opportunities for children to succeed and thrive.”
While the egg is just a supplement to a balanced diet, it is an essential intervention to support children’s well-being, enabling them to focus on their studies and grow into their full potential.
This collaboration between MTN Rwanda and UNICEF is more than a program—it’s a lifeline for less privileged schoolchildren like Jean Claude. It provides the tools to succeed, the nourishment to thrive, and the promise of a future where every child has the chance to fulfill their potential.