On September 20, 2026, the Rwandan community in Mozambique launched a school called Urumuri, which aims to teach the Rwandan language, reading, and writing skills to children born in Mozambique. The school's opening ceremony took place at the Rwandan Embassy in Mozambique and was attended by embassy officials, leaders of the Rwandan Community Association in Mozambique (RCA Mozambique), students, and their parents.
The school currently has 54 students, with 17 between the ages of 5 and 7, and 37 between 8 and 15 years old. Two volunteer teachers, supported by RCA Mozambique, are providing education to the students. The school's director, Iyamuremye Jean Damascène, welcomed guests and thanked parents for sending their children to learn the Rwandan language. He encouraged other parents to enroll their children in the school to connect them with Rwandan culture and language.
The school's curriculum includes Rwandan language classes, which take place on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The students are making progress, with some having little to no prior knowledge of the language. The school's Parent Committee President, Nsengiyumva François, praised RCA Mozambique for establishing the school and the Embassy for providing a location. He requested additional educational resources to improve the quality of education for Rwandan children in Mozambique.
Students at the school have expressed their enthusiasm for learning the Rwandan language and culture. The school's initiative is part of a larger effort by the Rwandan government to promote the language and culture among Rwandan communities abroad. According to Ambassador Donat Ndamage, the school is a realization of President Paul Kagame's vision to establish language schools for Rwandan communities worldwide.
Ambassador Ndamage commended parents for their support and emphasized the importance of their role in encouraging their children to learn the Rwandan language. He assured the school's management that the Embassy would help address some of the school's challenges to ensure the education provided is of high quality. The school's establishment demonstrates the Rwandan community's commitment to preserving their cultural heritage in Mozambique.
The RCA Mozambique organization has taken a proactive role in promoting Rwandan culture and language among the community. By providing educational opportunities, the organization aims to strengthen ties between Rwandan communities abroad and their cultural roots. The school's success will likely depend on continued support from the community, the Embassy, and other stakeholders.
As the school continues to grow and develop, it is expected to play a vital role in promoting Rwandan culture and language in Mozambique. The initiative has the potential to foster greater cultural understanding and exchange between Rwanda and Mozambique, while also providing educational opportunities for local children of Rwandan descent. Key points:
Key points
- The school, Urumuri, teaches Rwandan language and culture to 54 local children of Rwandan descent.
- The school's establishment is part of a larger effort by the Rwandan government to promote the language and culture among Rwandan communities abroad.
- The initiative aims to preserve Rwandan cultural heritage and promote cultural understanding between Rwanda and Mozambique.
