In Northern Rwanda, a powerful story of change has reached a new milestone. This month, we joined with local and national leaders to celebrate the opening of a new Inclusive Community Hub in Musanze District – a place designed to serve children and young people with disabilities in the heart of their community.
But this is not the beginning of the story. It is the latest chapter in a journey that began with the closure of an orphanage, the rebuilding of lives, and the steadfast commitment that children belong in families and communities, not institutions.
The chapter we closed – leaving the orphanage behind
For decades, disabled children in this region were sent to live in institutions, separated from their families and communities. One such orphanage once stood as a symbol of exclusion. Centre St Vincent was a place where children and young people with disabilities were hidden away rather than supported to thrive.
We worked alongside Rwandan authorities to close the institution and ensure children could leave safely for family and community-based care. That closure was a turning point, not just for the children who left, but for the entire district. It proved that something better was possible.
Claire’s story – from survival to strength
One of the children stuck without hope of escape from the Centre St Vincent was Claire*.
Born with a disorder that affected both of her legs, Claire spent 16 years of her life in the institution when her mother was unable to continue to care for her. She grew up without the constant love of a family, without the freedom to make everyday choices, and without the support she needed to live independently.
“When I watched the other children hugging their mums, I would think to myself ‘Why can’t I do that with my own mum?’ and I would cry and cry,”
Yet despite everything, Claire emerged with courage, resilience, and a fierce determination to build a different future.
Today, Claire has returned to her family. She lives in the community and is a powerful advocate for the rights of disabled people. Her journey embodies the truth at the heart of our work – segregation is the barrier to a full and happy life, not disability. When children grow up with love, dignity and opportunity, they can rewrite their own futures.
Claire’s life is one of the reasons the Community Hub exists. You can read her story here.
Building what comes next – the Community Hub takes shape
After the Centre St Vincent closed, a question remained: how could children with disabilities access the specialist support they still need without being separated from their families?
The answer was the Rwanda Community Hub, which broke ground in April this year.
We designed the hub in partnership with local organisations and authorities. It is purpose-built to serve children and young people with disbilities within their community, and today it provides:
- Inclusive early childhood development
- Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
- Transitional education support
- Family-centred services that strengthen caregiving at home.
The hub currently supports 83 children and young people, and at full capacity will reach up to 150 individuals, all within a nurturing, community-based environment.
The grand opening – a shared vision made real
At the official inauguration, leaders from across Rwanda celebrated what this Hub represents.
The Executive Secretary of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities praised Hope and Homes for Children’s long-term commitment to transforming lives and advancing the rights of disabled children.
Our CEO Mark Waddington reflected on Rwanda’s role as a global leader in care reform, showing what is possible when institutions are replaced with family and community-based solutions.
And the Vice Mayor of Musanze District described the Hub as a model of inclusive service provision – one he hopes will be replicated far beyond this district.
Globally, more than five million children still live in institutional care, many with disabilities. Rwanda is proving that another way is possible.
This is not just a new building. It is a declaration of dignity, a promise of belonging, and a future rooted in people rather than institutions.
Read what the Rwandan daily The New Times had to say about the launch of the Community Hub, and watch this inspiring video about the amazing, life-changing work the Community Hub is doing:
*To ensure the safety and privacy of the people we support, the names of the children and relatives featured in this story have been changed.
