Before returning home, Issa spent time on the streets after his family could no longer afford school fees. Thanks to the Seruka project by SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda, he now has stability, safety, care, and the confidence to build a brighter future alongside his family.

A growing challenge and a new response

Rwanda has made remarkable progress in strengthening child protection systems by building a nationwide community network and introducing a modern case management system. These efforts mean more children can now grow up in safe, family-based environments instead of institutions.

Yet, many children and young people still live on the street, without access to education, healthcare, or consistent family support. To address this, SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda launched the Seruka Project (“Seruka” means “rise and shine” in Kinyarwanda) in 2021. The initiative works to reach 7,800 children and young people across 12 districts by 2027, helping them regain their place in a caring family or community environment.

“The Seruka project was designed to serve as a response to a greater number of children living in street situations in Rwanda,” explains Jean Bosco Kwizera, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda. “We’ve been in this business of child care for a long time, hosting children in our villages. If we couldn’t intervene, who could?”

Working with Rwanda’s National Rehabilitation Service (NRS), the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), and local governments, Seruka provides short-term rehabilitation, family strengthening, and community-based care to address the needs of children and the underlying factors that drive them away from home.

After being identified and referred by local authorities or community members, children are taken to rehabilitation centers for a period of three to six months of comprehensive medical, psychological, and social care. “When a child stays on the street for more than two or three years, they're not the same as they used to be back home,” Kwizera says. Children living on the street often have trauma and may even misuse drugs.

Carine, age 14, from Kigali, remembers being approached by a social worker who helped him join Seruka and re-enroll in school. “Since I returned to school, I’ve started to feel like myself again. I play well with the other children without any problems, and I get the things I need.”

Seruka’s focus goes beyond rescuing children; it also aims to repair families. Parents struggling with poverty, conflict, or mental health challenges simply can’t provide consistent care. “The problem is not the children; it’s where they come from,” says Kalenzi Bosco, Seruka Project Lead, SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda.

Each family receives personalized support, from psychosocial counseling to economic empowerment. Parents are encouraged to join Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and start small businesses with modest seed funding or livestock. “We support that family with some startup capital, financial education sessions, and mentorship until the graduation stage,” Kalenzi says.

For Bonifride Nyiranzitakuze of Musanze district, that support was transformative for her family. Through the Seruka project, her son, who had dropped out of school due to financial difficulties, enrolled in a vocational training program. And, Nyiranzitakuze accessed a small loan. “This money will not go to waste,” she says. With the funds, she started a small business selling clay pots, and used the remaining money to buy chickens and food for her children. 

For young people, Seruka focuses on vocational training and self-employment. Augustin, age 18, who once slept on the streets of Nyagatare, was among those given a second chance. “I chose carpentry,” he explains. “They taught me the skills that helped me leave street life behind. I can now buy myself a pair of trousers and a shirt; I also try to save a little whenever I can.”

Augustin’s carpentry trainer, Pascal Karamage, partners with SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda to offer professional internships for young people supported by the organization. He has watched Augustin’s growth with pride. “He is very punctual and eager to learn,” Karamage says, occasionally inviting Augustin to join him in the field. “When you reach the point of trusting him to join you on fieldwork, it shows not only how capable he has become, but also gives a positive impression on the client.”

Another trainee, 23-year-old Prince from Kigali, who is studying to become a chef, says the training taught him and his fellow students not only cooking but also how to plan and save. “Each of us have our own goals, but we all want to improve our lives.”

Community partnerships and local ownership

The Seruka project’s strength lies in its partnerships. From local governments to faith-based organizations, everyone plays a role in helping families stay together and thrive.

In October 2025, SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda hosted its first fundraising concert in collaboration with local gospel artists and City Light Four Square in Kigali, a celebration of community solidarity to mobilize resources and raise awareness.

Kwizera views the church as a key partner in engaging communities around family strengthening. “It’s not only about the money raised,” he explains, “but about creating a movement where churches integrate this topic into their sermons and gatherings.”

To date, the Seruka project has supported the reintegration of more than 4,000 children into their families. It has also trained and equipped 195 young people, many of whom are now employed or running their own businesses. Additionally, the project has economically empowered more than 4,000 families to provide better care for their children.

Beyond the numbers, Kwizera, the national director of SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda, defines success through transformation. “If a family can now afford two meals a day, appropriate clothing, and schooling for their children, that is success.”