More than 150 vulnerable students across Rwanda have received school fees and essential learning materials through an education support program implemented by the Abdallah Kiromba Foundation (AKF) in partnership with the Zakat Foundation of America.
The April 2026 distribution was organized to enable children from disadvantaged families to return to school for the new academic term without interruption. The support included payment of school fees, exercise books, pens, school bags and other basic learning materials.
For many families, the assistance came at a critical time when rising household expenses had made it difficult to keep children in school.
The Abdallah Kiromba Foundation, a Rwandan nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives through education, healthcare and social welfare, has continued to prioritize education as one of its flagship programs. Working alongside the Zakat Foundation of America, the organization provides long-term support to orphaned and vulnerable children, helping them remain in school and complete their education.
Donati Niyonsaba, President and Legal Secretary of the Abdallah Kiromba Foundation, says education remains one of the most sustainable investments in a child’s future.
“Many of the children we support come from families that have lost one or both parents or are living in extreme poverty. By paying their school fees and providing learning materials, we are giving them the opportunity to remain in class and pursue their dreams. We also work closely with schools, parents and local leaders to monitor their progress and provide guidance whenever necessary.”
The beneficiaries were drawn from Kigali City and several districts including Gatsibo, Bugesera, Rwamagana, Ngoma, Nyagatare, Gicumbi, Musanze, Kamonyi, Nyanza and Rubavu, where the foundation has established education support programs for vulnerable households.
Among the beneficiaries was Mukandayisenga Claudine, a widowed mother of four who said the assistance has relieved a burden she had carried for years.
“I always worried about how my children would continue with school because I could not afford the fees,” she said. “Every school term was stressful, but thanks to this support, my children are studying without interruption and I have peace of mind.”
The foundation says beneficiary identification is carried out in collaboration with local authorities and community leaders, followed by household assessments to ensure support reaches families most in need.
According to AKF, more than 150 orphaned and vulnerable children are currently benefiting from its education program across 14 districts in Rwanda, with plans to expand the initiative as additional resources become available.
Through its continued partnership with the Zakat Foundation of America, the Abdallah Kiromba Foundation says it remains committed to ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent vulnerable children from accessing quality education, believing that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and build a brighter future.
