Beyond the Classroom: Behind The Scenes With Wellspring’s Team
To see classrooms transformed and education strengthened for Rwanda’s children, some of the most important work happens behind the scenes.
It happens in an ordinary school meeting room in Rubavu, where a group of Family Coaches are being trained about emotions: not only children’s emotions, but their own.
It happens when school leaders come together for training and to identify what they can change, even in small ways, so that children’s wellbeing does not get lost in the demands of the school day.
And it happens when education partners like Wellspring, the Rwanda Education Board (REB), and local leadership sit around the same table, bringing different experiences and perspectives together, and renewing their commitment to the children they serve.
These moments are where change begins.
SO WHAT MOMENTS HAVE BEEN SPARKING CHANGE OVER THE RECENT SUMMER MONTHS?
In July, our team and colleagues from REB prepared and delivered 3 days of training to 204 Family Coaches on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and resilience.
The training focused on equipping Family Coaches, who work closely with families in their communities, with a deeper understanding of their own emotions and how to regulate them. Just as importantly, it explored how this self-awareness can influence the way they listen to, guide, and support families, while helping families take greater ownership of their children’s education.
“After learning about forgiveness and apology, I realised that we carry tons of heavy burdens that lead to difficult emotions. Through this training, I learned how to identify and manage them. There is no need to carry these burdens with us. To be able to help children, we first need to manage our own emotions.” ~ A family advisor from Nyamyumba sector.
By August, these conversations moved from the community into the schools themselves. Our team brought together 68 school leaders from 34 partner schools in Rubavu and Bugesera districts, in partnership with REB and district officials, to explore how SEL and resilience could be strengthened within their schools.
Leaders shared experiences, worked through challenges, and considered practical ways to prioritize children’s wellbeing as part of everyday school life. Every small change helps build a school culture in which every child is nurtured and can thrive–which is our ultimate goal.
BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF CHILDREN’S CHAMPIONS
September brought another new and exciting expression of what a community that roots for children’s education can look like!
On September 12th, Wellspring hosted the Miles for Education “Kigali Finale” at Nyandungu Eco-Park. This event wrapped up a month of activity in Canada and Rwanda, where our team and supporters walked, ran, cycled, fundraised, and raised awareness about children’s education.
In Kigali, participants walked 10 kilometres and celebrated a shared belief that education should prepare children not only to succeed academically, but also to understand themselves, care for others, make responsible choices, and develop the resilience to keep going.
Through the collective effort of the wider Miles for Education community, more than $35,000 was raised to support Wellspring’s work in Rwandan schools.
But the amount raised tells only part of the story. What stood out was the willingness of participants in both continents to take ownership of children’s education and contribute in their own way. The Kigali Finale was one moment to recognize everyone who spent the month getting active to support children’s learning.
SO WHAT’S COMING UP NEXT?
These conversations matter because education is always evolving.
The needs of children change. School needs change. Communities change. And our understanding of what helps children thrive continues to grow as we listen to and learn from those who know their communities best.
“Bringing together such a talented, wise and diverse group of 10 Board Directors for 3 days in the same space with a creative facilitator (Chris Wignall of Lead With Catalyst) was an incredibly encouraging experience for us all. Energy was high, clarity was building, tough questions addressed, our Wellspring values explored, and I think we all left feeling a greater sense of togetherness, courage, and commitment to the stewardship of Wellspring’s mission.” Executive Director, Libby Karangwa-Miles.
Together as children’s education champions and community, these are the moments that move our work forward.
And, together, they are helping us build the kind of school communities where children can grow not only in what they know, but in who they are and how they navigate the world around them.