About

We chose to name this initiative “Itara’ because it is native word that embodies our mission and values. In Rwandan culture and philosophy, "itara" means “light, beacon or “research”. It is seen as a symbol of enlightenment, guidance, and hope. As a beacon of light, "itara" serves as a source of direction and inspiration for people on their life journeys, particularly during difficult times. It also represents the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom through research, as well as the illumination of the mind and spirit. "Itara" can be interpreted as a symbol of progress, growth, and positive transformation. Our first campus will be in the Mayange village.

Mayange is a rural village in Southeastern Rwanda with only one public high school. Over 40% of children in this village don’t advance from elementary to high school, and many more don’t reach higher education. The current student-to-teacher ratio exceeds 64:1 in some schools, and this hinders learning. Moreover, classrooms and teachers are often severely under-equipped.

The goal of the Itara Community School is to build a high school that will bring world-class education to Mayange and help raise high school enrollment. It aims to improve Rwanda’s quality of education through a unique and innovative curriculum and spark a contagious intellectual revolution in the village of Mayange and all of Rwanda. This school will attract the brightest students in the country and even neighboring countries while also creating inclusive opportunities for local low-income students.