Rwanda is one of the world’s poorest countries and one of the highest population densities in Africa, with a young, mostly rural population. Children make up 83.5% of Rwanda’s rural population and are vulnerable to chronic malnutrition, and poor health conditions.

Many children in impoverished communities can’t attend school due to the cost of schooling. For those who do attend, there is a 24% drop out rate in primary schools and 28% drop out rate in secondary school. Many children drop out of school over the long 2 month summer holidays and only 71% of Rwandan children complete their primary education. The employment of children in labour outside school still continues to be a critical roadblock in regard to school attendance and completion.

The Step Up Education Programme runs in the village of Gashora in partnership with the Jonathan Foundation and the G.S Dihiro school.