Baho Neza Education

Baho Neza Swe’s vision is that all people should have the conditions to develop their full potential. Since circumstances differ around the world, a small effort can lead to a big difference. Rwanda is one of the poorest countries in the world, yet it has reduced corruption to one of the lowest levels in all of Africa and has good prospects for giving its inhabitants a good life. Rwanda’s policy is gender equality; a good example of this is that more than fifty percent of its government members are women.

But in rural areas there is still a long way to go before equality is achieved and, as in many other countries, women often carry the heaviest burden. Many girls are forced to leave school after the sixth year because their parents cannot afford to let them continue. They are often given responsibility for the family at a very early age, frequently become pregnant in their teens and are not seldom forced into prostitution. One of the best ways to invest in life is considered to be education and taking care of one’s health.

In cooperation with Baho Neza Education, a social enterprise, courses are therefore held for young women where they receive basic training in entrepreneurship, culture and health. The training aims to help them become good role models for their children and to enable them to educate the inhabitants where they live. This will give them an opportunity for their own livelihood and independence. Furthermore, this increase in knowledge is expected to give them a sense of self-worth and a higher status in society.

A basic course in nutrition is provided, covering vitamins and minerals, which foods they are found in and why the body needs them. Then meals are prepared together using the ingredients that are available, with inspiration to use more vegetables in varied ways in everyday cooking. In addition, basic training is given in foot, hand and head massage, which the participants will then be able to offer to the inhabitants where they live.

There is also joint physical training, emphasizing the importance of physical activity and that it should be fun. Acrobatics and yoga are practiced, and various games are used to demonstrate all the abilities of the body.

Finally, the importance of saving money for the future and different ways of thinking about personal finances are discussed.

A follow-up course is also offered for participants who have completed the basic course. They receive a refresher in massage and physical training and, in addition, basic education about the body’s different organs as well as lessons in entrepreneurship.

After completing the course, all participants receive a diploma.

Reading and writing lessons are also started for young people who have not had the opportunity to learn these skills. The vast majority can read and write, but there are still some who cannot. They often keep this a secret, as the shame of not being able to read and write is great.

Many children grow up on the streets even though they have families. This is because the mother is often a single parent and very young, and must spend the whole day obtaining food. The children, who may be as young as five years old, are then left to fend for themselves all day long. A leisure project is therefore being planned, bringing together around fifteen children and teaching them acrobatics and other circus skills.

Mudi maintains continuous contact with the women who have participated in the courses, offering support and advice. The importance of staying in touch with those who have completed the courses is recognized, in order to ensure that they benefit from what they have learned. This is considered a very important part of the mission: not only to provide basic education, but also to follow up on what happens afterwards.