By Golboo Pourabdollahiam - Volunteer

Last week, I had the privilege of visiting the Volcanoes Valley Community-Based Early Childhood Development (ECD) center in Kinigi and what I witnessed was far more than a nursery. It was a living example of what happens when a community comes together with purpose, care, and vision.

This center, which opened just a month and a half ago in March 2026, welcomes children between the ages of two and five. At first glance, it is a cheerful and safe space filled with laughter, play, and color. But behind this vibrant environment lies a powerful story of initiative, collaboration, and hope.

The project was born from the determination of five women in the Kinigi area. Recognizing the daily struggles of working mothers, many of whom leave early in the morning to work in the fields and return late in the day, they identified a critical gap: the lack of a safe and supportive place for young children during working hours. For many mothers, the only options were to carry their children on their backs throughout long hours of labor, risking health issues, or leave them alone at home.

They chose to act.

With the support of the indigenous community, who generously provided the building, the idea became reality. Today, the center stands as a shared space, run through the joint efforts of local and indigenous communities. Volunteers from both groups dedicate their time and energy to caring for the children, ensuring they are not only safe but also nurtured.

Inside, children engage in playful learning, painting, interacting, and exploring the world around them in a structured yet joyful environment. They are also provided with meals, adding another layer of support for families. Currently, the center serves 17 children, with plans to expand to 100 by September. This is a clear indication of both the demand and the trust the community is placing in this initiative.

But the impact of this center goes far beyond childcare. As Diane, the supervisor of the ECD center, shared, one of their core missions is to support indigenous children from a very early age. Experience has shown that engaging children in education becomes increasingly difficult as they grow older, particularly for those who have not been exposed to structured learning environments early on. By starting at the age of two, the center is laying a strong foundation, one that can ease their transition into primary school and inspire a lifelong engagement with education.

This is where the true strength of the project lies. It is not just about education. It is about inclusion, early intervention, and equal opportunity. It is about creating a future where every child, regardless of background, has a fair chance to learn, grow, and thrive.

What makes this initiative truly remarkable is the spirit of collaboration behind it. The partnership between the local Kinigi community and the indigenous community is not just functional but it is deeply symbolic. It reflects mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a collective commitment to improving lives. They are not working in parallel; they are working hand in hand.

This is an example of community empowerment at its finest. The Volcanoes Valley ECD center is more than a project. It is a model. A model of how grassroots initiatives, driven by local insight and strengthened through collaboration, can create meaningful and lasting change.

As we look for solutions to complex social challenges, perhaps the answer is already here: in communities that come together, identify their needs, and build their own paths forward. Here is where the role of SACOLA as a lead player to support and empower the local community is essential. SACOLA is happy to provide support to this impressive initiative and other similar projects.