Kigali, 7 July 2026 - The Permanent Secretary Mireille BATAMULIZA, joined parents, educators, child development practitioners, and partners at the launch of the “Raising the Whole Child” Community under the LifeSpan Wellness and Development Initiative.

Held under the theme “Strengthening the Home-School Partnership for Holistic Child Development and Wellbeing,” the event brought together stakeholders to discuss the importance of creating supportive environments that enable children to grow and reach their full potential.

The discussions emphasized that raising a child goes beyond meeting basic needs such as food, clothing, and education. Children also need to be listened to, protected, guided, and supported to develop physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially.

Participants highlighted the importance of every child having at least one trusted adult who listens, understands, and provides guidance throughout their development journey. Parents and caregivers were encouraged to intentionally dedicate time every day to meaningful conversations with their children, noting that active listening helps build trust, confidence, and resilience.

The discussions further underscored that every child is unique, with different abilities, interests, and potential. Stakeholders were encouraged to create environments that allow children to discover their strengths rather than forcing them to conform to predetermined expectations.

Addressing participants, the Permanent Secretary Mireille BATAMULIZA emphasized that responsible parenting is both a shared societal responsibility and a constitutional obligation. She reminded participants that “the family is the natural foundation of the Rwandan society,” reaffirming the importance of ensuring that every child grows up in a safe, loving, and nurturing family environment.

She noted that strong families contribute to strong communities and called on all stakeholders to continue working together to strengthen child protection, positive parenting, and holistic child development.

“Together, we must continue creating environments where every child can thrive,” she said.