Jeanette's Home

Jeanette Uwineza is often seen walking with a small group of neighbourhood children, their hands tucked safely into hers. 

In 2019, an eight-year-old girl was assaulted near Jeanette's house. Many parents in Ndera must work long hours in the valley, often leaving their children at home without supervision. Determined that no child in her community should be left unprotected, she began opening her home each day to neighbourhood children while their parents were away.

By 2023, dozens of children were squeezing into her small living room, sitting shoulder to shoulder on the cement floor. When she reached out to Nanuri for help, we began with the basics: food support, tiles to cover the bare floor, and simple furnishings based on her needs. As more children came, her home naturally became a daily centre for care and early learning. 

Together with Jeanette, Nanuri has since built two classrooms, bathrooms, and a playground, thanks to generous donors. Children from outside the village also come to her home, bringing the total number of students to nearly one hundred today.

What began as Jeanette's personal response to a child in danger has become a lifeline for her community. We are honoured to walk beside her as this work continues, and we welcome those who wish to support her along the way.

How You Can Support Jeanette's Work 

These are the needs Jeanette shared when we asked how we could best support her. 

Support for Children With Special Needs

Several children in her community have significant developmental and physical challenges, yet there are no local services to support them. Jeanette hopes for help to better care for these children, who require additional attention, materials, and resources.

Food Programme Assistance

With nearly one hundred children visiting daily, Jeanette can no longer cover the cost of lunches on her own. Monthly support for the food programme would ensure that every child receives a reliable meal during the day. 

Expanding to a Primary School

Jeanette dreams of growing her early childhood centre into a primary school so children in her village no longer have to walk long distances—or past dangerous routes—to learn. She is also interested in pursuing formal training in early childhood education, and may require scholarship support in the future as she prepares to lead the next stage of the school’s growth.

You can support Jeanette’s work by contributing to the fund we are raising for her centre, or by contacting us (hello@nanurimission.org) if you wish to offer resources, expertise, or other forms of assistance.