The Step Up

29/10/2025

The Step Up had the wonderful opportunity to introduce the art of to our campers in Rwanda 🇷🇼

This was the first time children in the village of Gashora had the chance to experience this incredible sport🥋

Thank you to the Rwandan Judo Federation, the Foundation, Step Up Volunteer William Van den broeck, and Rachel Irakoze Marango, Rwanda’s first female black belt in Judo and the first woman to represent Rwanda on the international stage. Rachel’s visit to Gashora inspired our campers and showed them the importance of perseverance, team work, focus and self belief ✨

We also welcomed Shutaro, a visiting Japanese judoka who helped our young students discover the discipline, respect and confidence that martial arts can build.

22/10/2025

Are there any past Step Up students that can share what they learnt from Step Up in any of the places that our educational programme has previously run?
We would be happy to hear from you!

17/09/2025

📚✨ This summer we proudly partnered IHS Ethiopia to bring education and joy to children in IDP camps in Tigray through a special pilot project in their Child Friendly Space.

From learning sessions and life skills to songs, games and values based activities in a safe and uplifting space where children can just be kids. 🌞📖

Providing education and positive engagement during the long holidays is not just about learning, it’s about healing, hope and supporting the wellbeing of the children and youth. 💛

02/09/2025

📚 Education in Crisis: Tigray’s Children

After years of devastating conflict in Tigray, the education system has been shattered, schools destroyed, learning interrupted and children’s futures l at risk.

Thousands of displaced families are living in harsh conditions inside IDP camps.

Children suffer from conflict related trauma, malnutrition and a lack of enough safe spaces to simply be children.

We are proud to have piloted the first Step Up Summer Education Programme in Tigray, in partnership with OSSHD, Plan International and IHS bringing innovative education directly into Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) within the camps.

This programme gives children the chance to catch up and prepare for the new school year in a safe, fun and nurturing environment.

25/08/2025

We are excited for another session of our Step Up Mama’s Club! 🎉

This special group brings together the incredible mothers of Step Up pupils women who work tirelessly in the fields and kitchens to provide for their families. 🍲🌾

Many of these mamas didn’t get the chance to finish primary school, but they are now learning literacy and English language skills, not just for themselves, but to better support their children’s education too. 💬📚

Because when you educate a mother, you educate a whole family. ❤️

A huge thank you to Rebecca for joining us and leading the Mama’s Club 🙏🏽

12/08/2025

06/08/2025

Today was Wellbeing Day at Step Up ☺️

We explored what behaviours make problems bigger and what behaviors make problems smaller 🧠

We learnt different ways to help us solve problems such as using a calm voice, maintaining a calm body, using respectful language, showing empathy, focusing on active listening, and solving problems together. 🗣👥👂🧠

We also modeled the process and created a conflict escalator. 🧗‍♂️📶

We incorporated new English vocabulary words such as: fix, mend, solve, repair, dilemma, disagreement, challenge and conflict.

We learned that some problems are small, some are medium, and some are big. All problems help us learn and grow. 🫶🙌🔑

03/08/2025

Health and Hygiene Day! 💦 🙌

In collaboration with the GS Dihiro Nurses, we learnt about proper techniques for hand washing and brushing our teeth! 🦷 🪥

Step Up students gained practical experience and reinforced their knowledge through learning new vocabulary including clean, washed, healthy, hygienic, and sanitary. 🧼

We enjoyed hands on activities, including a simulation to replicate the process of brushing teeth precisely and modelled how bacteria and germs pass around 🦠

Together with the we are strengthening the wash sector and encouraging healthy habits in Gashora for all children 🧴💦

01/08/2025

🇷🇼 Our Step Up Educational Summer Camp has officially begun in Rwanda, and the energy is incredible! 💛✨

We met the amazing teachers and youth of Gashora, as well as the Step Up students and everyone is rearing to go!

Out first activities kicked off without the theme of friendship and teamwork and there has been lots of learning, laughing, and creating unforgettable connections 🫶🏼

We are excited for a summer of growth, education, wellness and impact! 📚

Join us on our journey 🙏🏽

29/07/2025

Step Up Summer Camps are about to begin! ☀️
Our team building and staff training sessions are preparing an incredible team of local teachers, youth leaders and international volunteers to deliver Step Up educational camps with impact 📚

These camps offer life skills, learning, confidence building, English language and much more for marginalized young children in communities affected by conflict or displacement 🌍

Our unified teams ensure every child gets an educational step up over the holidays! ✨

We are ready to make a difference 💙 and can’t wait to begin!

27/07/2025

Summer Step Up Education Camps Are Here!🌞

The holidays have started, and in Rwanda, and Ethiopia that means months without access to structured learning or activities for hundreds of children and young refugees who have fled from South Sudan.

We are excited to launch our Step Up summer learning programmes, keeping young minds active, safe and engaged during the long break 📚

Through fun, engaging learning and life skills activities, are all helping children stay motivated, reduce school dropout rates, and build brighter futures! 💡🌱

A huge thank you to our amazing local and international volunteers who make these camps possible with their passion, energy and dedication 🙌🌍