Inkuru y’Ubushuti (I and U) Program (Meaning: “The Story of Friendship”)
The Inkuru y’Ubushuti (I and U) Program is designed as a platform where children and parents come together to exchange experiences through talents, sports, stories, and cultural activities. It is built on the belief that every story matters and that healing, resilience, and progress are best achieved when communities share, learn, and grow together. The program nurtures friendship, strengthens resilience, and inspires success through togetherness.
Program Components
1. For Children (Linked to Kura Neza Program):
o Children from the Kura Neza Child Program join every Saturday at Gahanga Cricket Stadium for cricket and English sessions.
o Through play, teamwork, and learning, they build social interaction, confidence, and friendships.
o The English skills acquired during these sessions directly improve their school performance.
o Beyond cricket, the program envisions including diverse sports and talents, encouraging children to discover and share their gifts while learning from one another.
2. For Parents:
o Parents actively participate in community activities such as Umuganda (community work), reinforcing solidarity and responsibility
o Afterward, they engage in fun activities such as traditional games and dances.
o These sessions improve confidence, mental well-being, social interaction, and relaxation, while also strengthening community bonds.
Importance of the Program
• Healing and Resilience: Provides a safe space for children and parents to release stress, share experiences, and heal emotional wounds caused by poverty, conflict, and daily struggles.
• Confidence and Social Growth: Encourages children to interact across backgrounds, form friendships, and build life skills, while parents gain confidence through shared activities.
• Education Support: Complements the Kura Neza Child Program by enhancing English learning, discipline from sports, and children’s school performance.
• Community Empowerment: Reinforces Shine Again Initiative’s broader mission of family reintegration, education promotion, and empowerment by involving both children and parents.
Alignment with Shine Again Initiative’s Goals
The Inkuru y’Ubushuti Program aligns with Shine Again Initiative’s vision of supporting vulnerable children and families to grow, progress, and shine again by:
• Strengthening education through English and sports-based learning.
• Promoting social inclusion and confidence for children and parents.
• Encouraging resilience and togetherness, values central to Shine Again’s approach.
• Providing a holistic model that connects with other programs like Kura Neza Child Program (child development) and Aguka Parent Empowerment Program (parental support and financial literacy).
Conclusion
Inkuru y’Ubushuti is more than just friendship, it is a story of community healing, resilience, and growth. By bringing children and parents together in meaningful activities, it strengthens family bonds, nurtures talents, and builds a culture of unity. It stands as a bridge between Shine Again’s child-focused and parent-focused programs, ensuring that both generations move forward together toward a brighter future.