Quarterly Report: Mureke Dusome, Quarter 1, Fiscal Year 2021

To achieve this, Mureke Dusome builds the capacity of School General Assembly Committees to mobilize parents and community members, especially community volunteer Literacy Champions, who organize community reading clubs and other literacy promotion activities. Mureke Dusome is working with the communities surrounding public and government-aided primary schools nationwide. The activity is being implemented by Save the Children and its partner organizations, notably Umuhuza, from January 2016-July 2021. Other partnerships have included Urunana DC (2016-2018) and Uwezo Youth Empowerment (2020-2021). In Q1 FY2021, Mureke Dusome in partnership with its stakeholders, including national, district, sector, school, and local leaders, volunteers, and families, worked to ensure that children were assisted to continue practicing and improving their reading skills, even amidst lower primary school closures and other lockdown restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following numbers of engaged stakeholders, reached beneficiaries, and materials distributed were reported: 40,696 children (21,996F, 18,700M) were reached through remote monitoring and field/home visits; 851 Literacy Champions and Community Education Workers were coached and mentored; 498 Community Education Workers were coached and mentored about Income Generating Activities; 4 community libraries were established and launched, and 5,270 books and other reading materials were supplied; 27 community librarians were trained; and 1,353 participants were reached through Sector Level Education Council meetings. Mureke Dusome also worked to promote literacy among children with disabilities. In collaboration with the National Itorero Commission, Kigali Public Library, and the districts of Burera, Ruhango, Ngororero, and Kirehe, 4 community libraries were established and launched, and 5,270 books and other reading materials were supplied. Additionally, 3,698 children with disabilities were identified in the 5 model districts, and 3,290 storybooks and 3,698 school kits were awarded to support their continued reading and learning at home. The activity also partnered with Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) to promote literacy among children. Umuhuza signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 3 FBOs in Gasabo District and trained 54 FBO Volunteers and 3 FBO representatives to raise parents' awareness on tips to promote their children's literacy. Despite these successes, Mureke Dusome faced challenges, including the suspension of the Soma Rwanda Twitter account, which resulted in the inability to produce and share the Soma Rwanda newsletter. However, Twitter suddenly granted access again in January 2021, allowing Mureke Dusome to continue its activities. In Q2 FY2021, Mureke Dusome plans to continue its activities, including the establishment of community libraries and the promotion of literacy among children with disabilities. The activity will also continue to partner with FBOs to promote literacy among children.