Abu Dhabi: Saturday, October 4, 2025
A delegation from the General Secretariat of the Khalifa Award for Education, one of many institutions under Erth Zayed Philanthropies, concluded its official visit to the Republic of Rwanda today. The delegation held two meetings to discuss joint cooperation with “Save the Children -Rwanda” and “Plan International – Rwanda”. Discussions focused on the efforts of both organizations in early childhood care and empowering families to address the challenges in this area.
Humaid Al Houti, Secretary-General of the Khalifa Award for Education, noted that the Award’s delegation held a meeting with Joanne Musonda – Country Director of Save the Children in Rwanda, Marcel Sibomana – Director for Program Development and Quality, and Noella Kabarungi – Senior Education Technical Specialist. The delegation was provided with a comprehensive overview of the organization’s origins and development, as well as its mission to ensure children’s rights and protect them from violence, alongside its health and nutrition programs in early childhood education. They also highlighted the organization’s efforts in improving learning environments in early childhood centers, training teachers and caregivers, and developing educational materials. The organization further implements initiatives to combat corporal punishment in schools and educational centers and contributes to programs aimed at reintegrating children who have dropped out of school.
The Award delegation also discussed joint cooperation with Emilie Fernandez – Country Director of Plan International Rwanda, Hakim Mugenyi – Child Protection and ECD Program Manager, Anees Ur Rehman – Head of Programmes, and Kamikazi Benita – Business Development Manager. They noted that the organization is a humanitarian and development entity focused on children’s rights and gender equality, with particular attention to empowering girls and the most vulnerable children. The organization also operates in several provinces and refugee camps, and its services cover the education, health, and social protection sectors. In the field of early childhood education, it aims to provide inclusive and safe learning environments for girls and to support families in enhancing learning opportunities in the early years.
The delegation also visited the Early Childhood Development Center in Nyarugunga in Nyaruguru , which is supported by the Imbuto Foundation, where they learned about the center’s operations and its role in childcare.
The delegation meeting at the UAE Embassy in Rwanda
Members of the Award delegation met with His Excellency Mohammed Al Kaabi, Chargé d’Affaires of the UAE Embassy in Rwanda. Humaid Al Houti expressed the Award delegation’s appreciation for the efforts of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy in arranging this official visit, the first by the Khalifa Award for Education, to the Republic of Rwanda. The Award’s appreciation for the UAE Embassy’s support in the success of the visit program was reaffirmed by Al Houti.