The Learning and Inclusion for Transformation (LIFT) project is a major educational initiative designed to support Rwanda’s vision of ensuring every child can learn and thrive. Funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Cambridge Education, the program is a collaborative effort involving key national stakeholders, including the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) and the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA).
A National Vision for Inclusion
The LIFT project is wide-reaching in its ambition. Its primary goal is to improve foundational learning outcomes in English and Mathematics across the country. However, the core of the project is inclusion. LIFT is specifically designed to leave no child behind, targeting barriers that affect:
- Girls: ensuring equal access and retention.
- Children with Disabilities: creating accessible learning environments.
- Out-of-School Children and Youth (OOSCY): providing pathways back into education.
Implementation in Rusizi District
Rusizi District has been selected as one of the key districts for the implementation of this transformative project.
To ensure the program’s success at the local level in Rusizi, a consortium of three experienced organizations has been tasked with delivering these critical services. The consortium partners are:
- Rwanda Organization for Development Initiatives (RODI)
- The Umbrella of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the Fight against HIV/AIDS & for Health Promotion (UPHLS)
- Action pour le développement du Peuple (ADEPE)
Working in close partnership with the Rusizi District administration, this consortium ensures that the national goals of the LIFT project are effectively translated into local action.
Distinct Roles: How We Work Together
While the consortium works as a unified team to support the beneficiaries, each organization focuses on a specific, distinct area of expertise:
1. RODI: Alternative Learning Pathways (ALP)
As RODI, our sole focus within this partnership is the educational delivery. We are responsible for the Alternative Learning Pathway (ALP).
- We manage the learning centers and facilitate the teaching process.
- We deliver the accelerated curriculum—aligned with NESA and REB standards—to ensure students acquire the literacy and numeracy skills they missed while out of school.
2. UPHLS: Disability and Inclusion
UPHLS handles the inclusion component. They work to ensure that the learning environments are accessible and that children with disabilities are identified, supported, and not excluded from these opportunities.
3. ADEPE: Social and Community Support
ADEPE focuses on the broader social context. They handle community mobilization and social protection, working with families to address the root causes of dropout and ensuring the community supports the children’s education.
By dividing these responsibilities, the consortium ensures that every aspect of the child’s needs—educational, physical, and social—is met by an expert in that field.
