Kigali, Rwanda, 14th May 2016 - The Government of Rwanda and UNICEF launched the Tubarerere mu Muryango (TMM) campaign to accelerate the implementation of the Strategy for National Child Care Reform. “Thanks to UNICEF for the continued support for the Tubarerere Mu Muryango - Let’s Raise Children in Families #TMM programme" said Hon Dr Diane Gashumba- Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, who was the guest of honour at the TMM campaign launch. “Child Protection is every child’s right including those with disability” she added.
Hon Dr Diane Gashumba- Minister of Gender and Family Promotion
Tubarere mu Muryango' programme is a national programme that fulfils the right of every child of Rwanda to grow up in a loving and caring family. UNICEF has been supporting the Government of Rwanda in close partnership with the National Commission for Children in Rwanda for better environment for children to enjoy their rights. Since 2013, the National Commission for Children (NCC), UNICEF and civil society organizations have been successfully implementing the Tubarerere mu Muryango (TMM) Programme, a national programme established to implement the Strategy for National Child Care Reform adopted by the Government.
The Strategy for National Child Care Reform aims at transforming Rwanda’s current child care and protection system into a family-based system of care, where resources are targeted to supporting families and children. The Strategy details how children living in institutions should regain their right to be raised in a safe, loving and supportive family environment.
Dr. Claudine Uwera Kanyamanza-The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Children
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Children, Dr. Claudine Uwera Kanyamanza called on all Rwandans to bring back the cultural positive value to care for all children collectively.
She explained, “Rwandans let’s bring back our cultural positive value of treating every child as our own. This is because at the heart of protecting Rwandan values and culture lies the family. The family is the foundation of securing the well-being of Rwandan children”. To honour these values, the Government and development partners in Rwanda have committed to reforming the Child Care System.
This was echoed by Oliver Petrovic, UNICEF Deputy Representative that family and community place a great role in the child’s growth and development. “UNICEF and One UN Rwanda are committed to keep children at the center of development by supporting the government of Rwanda to the success of childcare reform and TMM programme”, he noted.
As part of the event, children presented their artwork expressing their dreams and emotions. The event was accompanied by the TMM theme song promoting children's right to be raised in families as well as testimonies of children reintegrated to families and parents that received some of the children to share their experiences. “I lived in the orphanage for more than four years, feeling like I was nobody’s child. But now I feel happy because I live in a family and I can go to school where you really can learn different things. I am glad that my mother decided to offer me the possibility of the warmth of a family - what could be more beautiful than a family,” says Keza, 13. Keza is one of the thousands of children who have been reunited with families – thanks to the TMM programme. “I have adopted more than 20 children and some of them are already married. Now I am happy together with my new member of my family, Florence” shared Appoline during the parents’ testimony session.
Originally, during the 7th National Children’s Summit in early 2012, children voiced their wish to see every child in Rwanda growing up in a loving and protective family. Thus, the Government of Rwanda developed the Strategy for National Child Care Reform which also encourages the transformation of orphanages into community based child-friendly structures - where children and their families receive services that prevent family separation
Joint efforts and community sensitization on the benefits of family-based care are critical to make sure all Rwandan children can be raised in a safe environment and reach their full potential.