School uniforms are mandatory in Rwanda and pupils are turned away if they fail to wear one.
A uniform set of day wear, sports kit and shoes costs around £12.

The cost is insurmountable for low income families who live on less than £1 a day. If they do scrape the money together it will be only for one of their children to attend and that’s usually a boy.
This has a hugely negative effect on breaking the poverty cycle through education.

At House of Children School in Gisenyi, all 84 PF sponsored students have their uniforms paid for by donors, ensuring their attendance. This also provides an income to local sewing co-operatives.

Wearing the school colours unites pupils, emphasises their equality and inclusion, whatever their background or abilities. Possession of a school uniform can shape a child’s future.