When Gildas was born in 2011, no one knew just how far he would come even with a condition that could have held him back.
Born in Kigali, Rwanda, Gildas was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects his ability to walk, sit unaided, or speak clearly. It was the kind of diagnosis that too often leads to a life shaped by limitation, silence, and exclusion.
But Gildas’s story turned out differently.
With early support from Heroes Day Care Center and later an inclusive primary school, Saint Louis et Zelie Inclusive School, he began to defy expectations. Although he cannot walk, sit unaided, or speak clearly, his mind is sharp, his curiosity endless, and his passion for learning unmistakable.
Thanks to the tireless love of his parents, supportive teachers, and classmates who welcomed him without hesitation, Gildas became fully immersed in school life. Locally made mobility aids and simple classroom adaptations made a world of difference.
“Our son is truly amazing,” shares Gildas’s mother. “We’ve done everything we can, and we’re still committed to supporting his growth and inclusion. From a young age, he’s had the chance to fully participate—first at Heroes Day Care Center, and now at a wonderful inclusive school where he’s embraced and encouraged. His confidence has taken off, and he’s eager to engage independently.”
Now a teenager, Gildas faces a new chapter, and a new set of challenges. Like any adolescent, he longs for independence, mobility, and a voice of his own.
“Right now, we’ve hit a wall,” says Gildas’s mother. “The support available in Rwanda is limited. We struggle to access the specialized tools he needs to communicate smoothly without relying on unusual movements or an interpreter. We’re incredibly proud of him, but we urgently need solutions that will help him express himself and live more independently.”
In lower primary, Gildas especially excelled in mathematics. Numbers made sense to him in a way that transcended his physical limitations. His understanding of mathematical concepts remains strong to this day. However, as he progresses through school, his ability to demonstrate that knowledge in exams is increasingly hindered by communication barriers. Without a reliable assistive device, he struggles to express his answers clearly, and his performance is beginning to decline—a trend that will only worsen unless he receives the tools he needs to communicate effectively.
Rwanda’s current systems have not kept pace with Gildas’s growing needs. While the country has made important strides through its National Policy on Inclusive Education and partnerships with UNICEF to promote inclusive schooling and community-based rehabilitation, the implementation of these efforts remains uneven, leaving many children without access to essential support services.
As the UNICEF Rwanda Country Programme Evaluation 2018–2024 report highlights: “Despite significant progress, many children with disabilities in Rwanda still face barriers to accessing education beyond primary school and lack the necessary support services and assistive technologies to thrive.”
This is the heart of the matter: inclusion cannot be a one-time milestone. It must grow alongside the child.
Gildas’s journey is not unique. For every child who makes it this far, many more are left behind: children never enrolled in school, children silenced by the absence of communication tools, children whose lives remain invisible to the systems that were meant to support them.
It’s time to go further. To ensure that inclusion is not only introduced, but sustained.
That means:
- Funding assistive devices and communication technologies.
- Bringing therapy and specialized services into schools.
- Supporting children through adolescence with tangible services not just goodwill.
- And most importantly, listening to children in their own voices, empowered by tools and treated with dignity.
Gildas’s story is not a tragedy. It’s a call to action.
The future of Gildas and thousands of others like him depends on whether we view inclusion as a checkbox or a lifelong commitment.
Heroes Day Care Center is reaching out to national and international partners to help build sustainable solutions for children with communication difficulties and other barriers to full participation.
If you’d like to support or collaborate, please contact:
ass.apeh@gmail.com | heroesdaycarecenter@gmail.com
Heroes Rwanda 