The Gift of Stories: Nurturing Readers in Rwanda

By: Frankie Alchanati

During my first trip to Rwanda last year, I encountered a remarkable non-governmental organization (NGO) called Parenting Child Care Rwanda (PCCR). Inspired by their mission to improve the lives of children and families through enhancing education and community development, I volunteered to create a new website and establish their social media presence to raise awareness about their initiatives. 

Our Collaboration

Author Frankie Alchanati, engaging with students in a home-based ECD center in the Ngoma District

My collaboration with PCCR not only strengthened my bond with the organization but also led to a recent return trip to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. There, I had the incredible opportunity to join PCCR on the ground and witness their impactful work firsthand. We visited their schools and home-based early childhood development centers (ECD) scattered across the Gasabo and Ngoma District villages. Despite being a small team of just 9 members, PCCR has achieved incredible things, including

building 7 schools and training over 60 mothers to run home-based ECD centers. 

Cultivating Readers

One initiative that particularly resonated with me was PCCR’s focus on cultivating a love of reading in young children. Books were my gateway to new worlds, vocabulary, and endless curiosity growing up. Understanding the transformative power of books, I was thrilled to contribute a collection of children's books donated by Science, Naturally, a STEM-focused imprint in Washington, DC, where I will soon publish my first children’s non-fiction book on architecture!

Students flipping through the books for the first time! Mutsindo ECD Center / December 2023

Upon seeing the box of books, I could feel the students’ curiosity sparking as their  faces broke into big smiles. Despite English being a new language for these Kinyarwanda-speaking students, their excitement as they flipped through the colorful pages was truly special. Recognizing the importance of English as a valuable resource, I carefully selected a diverse range of titles that catered to their interests and educational needs. 

Many questions waiting to be asked by many curious minds The Mutsindo ECD Center / December 2023

These books were designed to offer a fun and engaging introduction to English but also to enrich their understanding with STEM concepts, providing them with a holistic view of the world around them.

Among the curated titles were the Science Wide Open series, which celebrates women trailblazers in STEM; Cuddled and Carried, a heart-warming exploration of how animal mothers nurture their young in the wild; and This is the Sun, an enlightening book on how the Sun sustains life on Earth. Working alongside the PCCR staff, I assisted the students in sounding out the words and exploring the stories within each book! Their eagerness to learn shone brightly through every curious glance and eager questions. I loved every moment of being in the classroom with them.

Founding the U.S. Branch of PCCR

Driven by the desire to reach even more students, I established a US branch: Parenting Child Care Rwanda International (PCCRI). At PCCRI, our mission is to boost awareness, utilize US resources through grants and fundraising, and foster additional partnerships to enhance PCCR's impact on Rwanda’s communities. Together, we aim to secure the vital resources needed to empower these children to author their bright futures. It’s a journey I am deeply committed to, and I hope you’ll consider joining us in making a difference.

It was tough saying goodbye to the students, but the thought of all the new stories

we’ll soon share fills me with excitement!

One of the students intently reading "This Is the Sun" The Mutsindo ECD Center / December 2023

Reach out to discuss donating or collaborating:

Click here to access the PCCR website and learn more!

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About Frankie Alchanati

Los Angeles-raised triplet Frankie found her calling in architecture. Her architectural education in Philadelphia, coupled with global travel and volunteer experiences, solidified her commitment to socially impactful design.

Now in D.C., Frankie balances her design career with PCCRI (Parenting Child Care Rwanda International), the NGO she founded to help families living in Rwanda.

"Feel free to contact me if you are interested in getting involved with PCCRI!"

Email: frankiealchanati@gmail.com  /  Instagram: @parentingchildcare_rwanda