RODI at Southern Province Expo 2025: 12 Days of Impact, Innovation & Community

From July 17th to July 28th, 2025, RODI proudly participated in the Southern Province Expo 2025, hosted in Huye District and organized by the Private Sector Federation (PSF) in collaboration with key stakeholders. Over 12 vibrant days, we showcased our flagship programs in Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Youth Empowerment, implemented in Ruhango District in partnership with Gold Youth Development Agency, National Child Development Agency (NCDA), and as a proud member of the Rwanda Civil Society Platform (RCSP).

RODI’s Expectations Going into the Event

Entering the Southern Province Expo 2025, RODI had clear objectives aimed at maximizing our impact and reach. Our primary goal was to effectively showcase our flagship programs in Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Youth Empowerment, highlighting their tangible benefits and sustainable impact within the Ruhango District. We aimed to engage deeply with a diverse audience, including community members, local leaders, educators, parents, and potential partners, to foster greater understanding and appreciation for our work. Furthermore, we sought to strengthen existing partnerships with organizations like Gold Youth Development Agency and NCDA, and to reinforce our role as an active member of the Rwanda Civil Society Platform (RCSP). Ultimately, we hoped to inspire collaboration, gather valuable feedback, and lay the groundwork for future initiatives that would further empower youth and nurture the next generation in Rwanda.

Day-by-Day Highlights: A Journey of Engagement and Impact

Day 1 – Opening Day: A Powerful Start

Figure 1: Image shows Our Site Coordinator showcase our program at our stands at Southern Province Expo 2025

We officially launched our presence at the Expo with excitement and purpose. Visitors were welcomed to our booth where we introduced RODI’s mission and flagship programs focused on sustainable development, innovation, and community empowerment.

Day 2 – Official Launch & Program Showcase

Figure 2: Image shows Mr. Nshimiyimana Vedaste, Executive Secretary of the Southern Province deliver speech after launching Southern Province Expo 2025!

The Expo was officially opened by Mr. Nshimiyimana Vedaste, Executive Secretary of the Southern Province. We proudly aligned with the theme: “Twese hamwe, dufatanye gutegura ba Rwiyemezamirimo b’icyerecyezo 2050 – Dushora imbaraga mu iterambere ry’Abana bato n’Urubyiruko.” We showcased our ECD and Caregiver Training programs, locally made learning materials, and youth empowerment initiatives — all implemented in Ruhango District with our partners Gold Youth Development Agency and NCDA.

Day 3 – Deepening Engagement

Figure 3: The RODI’s team engaging with visitors, sharing information about our programs

We engaged with a growing number of visitors who expressed appreciation for our work. As members of RCSP Rwanda, we continued to highlight our collaborative efforts in Ruhango District and the long-term impact of our programs.

Day 4 – Connecting Through Education

Figure 4: The RODI’s team engages with visiting teachers, demonstrating how our program works.

We held meaningful conversations with teachers, parents, and local leaders about our ECD and school-based programs. We also demonstrated how our peer educator initiatives are building job skills and strengthening community ties.

Day 5 – Digital Tools & Safeguarding

Figure 5: A RODI’s team member engages with parents at our stand, explaining our ECD (Early Childhood Development) program and the services offered at our ECD centers.

We demonstrated how stakeholders can access and use the Gold Youth Moodle platform and how safeguarding practices are integrated into our programs — including consent forms and registration processes. These tools ensure transparency, safety, and accountability.

Day 6 – Celebrating Feedback

Figure 6: A RODI’s team member engages with a visitor, explaining our Gold Youth program’s peer educators initiative and showcasing the related educational materials.

We received enthusiastic feedback on our 10-module Caregivers Training and youth empowerment programs. The interest in future ECD initiatives was overwhelming, and we were inspired by the community’s eagerness to collaborate.

Day 7 – ECD in Focus

Figure 7: Our ECD Program Officer explains to visitors at our stand how we support early childhood development in Ruhango District through ECD centers.

Our ECD Program Manager delivered a comprehensive presentation on our Early Childhood Development work in Ruhango, implemented in partnership with NCDA. Visitors gained a deeper understanding of our holistic approach to nurturing young minds.

Day 8 – Empowering Peer Educators

Figure 8: Our Site Coordinator explains the Peer Educator program—a partnership with Gold Youth Development Agency—to visitors, detailing how we train, mentor, and support peer educators from S4 to S5.

We highlighted the transformative role of Peer Educators and our peer-to-peer training methods. These approaches not only promote inclusion but also connect graduates to small business opportunities. We also showcased our local leader trainings rooted in ECD principles.

Day 9 – Mentorship & Parental Investment

Figure 9: Our team explains to visitors how mentorship links youth to essential services and how parents can invest in their children’s education and entrepreneurial journeys, emphasizing the vital role of family and community in sustainable development.

We emphasized how mentorship connects youth to essential services and how parents can invest in their children’s education and entrepreneurial journeys. These conversations reinforced the importance of family and community in sustainable development.

Day 10 – Youth Empowerment in Action

Figure 10: We demonstrated how our Peer Education Program equips youth with practical skills through job shadowing and workshops.

We showcased how our Peer Education Programme equips youth with practical skills through job shadowing and workshops. We also highlighted our support for ECD centers in collaboration with NCDA and Ruhango District, drawing strong interest from visitors.

Day 11 – Leadership Engagement

Figure 11: We were honored to host our Executive Director, who actively engaged with our team and visitors, receiving updates on our Expo activities and celebrating our achievement

We were honored to host our Executive Director, who actively engaged with our team and visitors. He received a full update on our Expo activities and celebrated our achievements. We proudly presented our flagship programs — ECD in Ruhango and the Gold Peer-to-Peer Programme — through vibrant visuals and storytelling, reaffirming our commitment to community development.

Day 12 – Closing Day: That’s a Wrap!

Figure 12: We were honored by a special visit from Ruhango District leaders, reflecting on our contributions.

The Expo concluded with an inspiring closing ceremony. We were honored by a special visit from Ruhango District leaders and proud to reflect on our contributions. The event ended with awards and powerful remarks from provincial representatives. It was a moment of celebration, gratitude, and renewed commitment to our mission.

Key Results and Outcomes

The Southern Province Expo 2025 proved to be an immensely successful endeavor for RODI, yielding several significant results and outcomes. We achieved broad visibility for our ECD and Youth Empowerment programs, reaching a diverse audience and generating substantial interest in our initiatives. The positive feedback received, particularly on our 10-module Caregivers Training, underscored the relevance and effectiveness of our educational approaches. Our ability to demonstrate the Gold Youth Moodle platform and integrated safeguarding practices highlighted our commitment to transparency and accountability, resonating well with stakeholders.

Furthermore, the Expo provided an invaluable platform for deepening engagement with teachers, parents, and local leaders, fostering meaningful conversations about the importance of early childhood development and youth empowerment. We successfully showcased the transformative impact of our Peer Educator initiatives, demonstrating how they build job skills and connect graduates to small business opportunities. The strong interest from visitors in future ECD initiatives and collaborations signals a promising path forward for expanding our reach. The visit from Ruhango District leaders and our Executive Director on the final days further validated our efforts and strengthened our partnerships, reaffirming our collective commitment to sustainable community development.

Final Reflections

We are deeply honored and truly pleased to partner with Ruhango District in implementing a wide range of impactful projects. Together with Gold Youth Development Agency, National Child Development Agency, and as members of RCSP Rwanda, we are building stronger communities, empowering youth, and nurturing the next generation.