Safe and Loving Homes for Every Child

In Rwanda, child protection is a shared responsibility in communities. The government body, National Child Development Agency (NCDA) has the mandate for the protection of children in Rwanda. Together with the district authorities, they oversee a child protection workforce.

Denise Murekatete is a dedicated Child Protection and Welfare Officer (CPWO). For over a decade, she has worked tirelessly to protect children and place them in nurturing homes. As a CPWO at the NCDA, she has helped countless children transition from institutions into family-based care. Denise was among the first social workers to implement the Tubarerere Mu Muryango (TMM) programme, and her dedication has played a vital role in changing children’s lives.

Across the country, CPWOs and Inshuti Z’Umuryango (IZU) volunteers work together to ensure that vulnerable children receive the care they need. CPWOs are trained social workers responsible for handling child protection cases, while IZU volunteers act as the first point of contact in communities (imidugudu), identifying children at risk and reporting cases. Their work is critical in ensuring that children grow up in safe, loving families instead of institutions and protecting every child from all forms of violence. 

Kezia Uwiduhaye, 11 years of age, was placed in a foster home shortly after birth and has been raised by Etienne Birekeraho and Vestine Nyirabarihoreye, a compassionate couple in Kicukiro District. With CPWO Denise’s support,  Kezia has been provided with a stable and loving home, ensuring that she grows up with the care and protection she deserves.

On a warm afternoon, Denise visits Kezia’s foster family, a routine part of her work to ensure that children in care are thriving. As Kezia returns home from school, she finds Denise engaged in conversation with her foster parents. With a bright smile, Kezia greets them, a simple but powerful moment that reaffirms Denise’s mission. "Every child I help reminds me why I chose this job," she says. "Seeing a child grow happy and strong makes everything worth it."

Denise’s work extends beyond placing children in homes. Every morning, she reviews reports from IZU volunteers, who work at the grassroots level to identify vulnerable children and report cases of abuse, neglect, or family distress. If an urgent case arises, Denise takes immediate action—visiting families, collaborating with community leaders, or finding temporary safe care for children at risk.

A key part of Denise’s work is also helping families stay together. Many parents struggle due to poverty, health issues, or other challenges that make it difficult to care for their children. Denise connects them with different forms of assistance like counseling, and other social services, ensuring that families receive the support they need to remain stable and secure. "Finding a home for a child is just the beginning," she explains. "Some families struggle at first, especially when a child has experienced trauma. That’s why follow-up support is crucial."

For Kezia’s foster parents, this ongoing support has been crucial. "We are very grateful for Denise. She helped us from the start, and her support made all the difference. Thanks to her, our child is happy, and our family is stronger," says Vestine Nyirabarihoreye.

Despite these successes, challenges remain. Some children require specialized care that not all families can provide. Some communities still have negative attitudes toward foster care.  But Denise doesn’t give up. She continues to educate communities, advocating for children’s rights and the benefits of family-based care.

In Rwanda, the Child Protection Workforce (CPWO) consists of 62 professionals, while 29,674 community-based volunteers, known as Inshuti z’Umuryango (IZUs), support child protection efforts across the country. With this vast network, Denise’s work is supported by a dedicated team, advancing the critical mission of improving childcare and protection in Rwanda.

“Children in foster care start to smile again. They grow stronger and healthier,” she says. “Helping them at the right time can change their future. That is the best part of my job.”

For Denise, social work is not just a profession—it is her life’s calling. Some of the children she has helped come back years later to thank her, proof of the long-lasting impact of her dedication. As she leaves Kezia’s home, she knows there are many more children who still need help. But as long as there are children in need, Denise—and the thousands of CPWOs and IZU volunteers across Rwanda—will be there, ensuring every child grows up in a safe, loving family.