We expand access to quality education across Rwanda

What We Do

We strengthen communities through quality preschools that provide a foundational education, comprehensive family support, and staff mentorship. Happy Hearts is a catalyst for success, engaging and empowering our students, families, and educators to lead vibrant, sustainable lives and creating multi-generational impact.

Who We Are

Happy Hearts is a social enterprise created by experienced entrepreneurs and educational advocates passionate about expanding access to excellent early childhood education in Rwanda. Founded on the belief that quality early childhood education should never be a privilege, our women-led, global team is dedicated to holistic child development and the community-wide empowerment of families and teachers.

Our Model

Happy Hearts is a network of international Montessori schools following the North American Montessori Center (NAMC) curriculum and member of the International Montessori Council (IMC). We apply our expertise to support rural Early Childhood Centers through our non-profit organization, Happy Hearts for All.

Watch

The New Times covering the International Schools

Overview of the Rural Schools

Leadership

Lydie Hakizimana

  • Lydie Hakizimana is the Co-Founder and CEO of Happy Hearts, a chain of preschools that is providing quality education to hundreds of children between the ages of 6 months and six years old in Rwanda. She is also the President of Happy Hearts for All. Lydie is a certified Montessori teacher from the North American Montessori Center (NAMC), and a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Bruno Tayeb

  • Bruno Tayeb is an educational activist and a self-directed learner passionate about Early Childhood Development through holistic child-centered approaches. Bruno is the General Manager of Happy Hearts and the Secretary General of Happy Hearts for All. He is experienced in leading projects with transversal skills. He holds a Master's degree from the University of La Sorbonne. 

Claudine Umuhoza

  • Claudine Umuhoza is the cheerful personality running the day-to-day operations of our Daycare Isano. She is dedicated to the fulfillment of our younger learners and strives to provide them with the best possible quality early education.

Sandrine Giramata

  • Sandrine Giramata has dedicated her life to education, from library management to overseeing our Daycare Urwego. She is methodical and organized. Nothing pleases her more than a neat, conducive and welcoming environment for our little toddlers.

Languida Nyirabahire

  • Languida Nyirabahire spent her life in the service of the community. From an international NGOs career to public servant at the City of Kigali prior to being our Project Coordinator, Languida dedicated herself to the greater good, for an inclusive society where all children should be educated, healthy and happy.   

Lina Irene Ishimwe

  • Lina Irene Ishimwe is our calm force using her gentle smile to connect with a wide range of personalities. She is in charge of our partnerships and marketing. Lina has always been a book addict, engaging herself in a publishing house and creative writing before joining our team.

Mamijo Akimana

  • Mamijo Akimana is our artistic eye and creative guarantee. Passionate about graphic design and photography, she handles internal and external communication with a touch of eye-catching fun. She’s your go-to person for any information.   

Boaz Baluku

  • Boaz Baluku is an early childhood expert and educational development aficionado.  He leads our mentoring department with a big smile, to deliver quality education to all our Happy little Hearts in the rural areas. Boaz devoted his life to ECD through his career in NGOs. 

Our Partners

Reports

Media

  • Frankie the Dino connects with African youth

    By United Nations Development Programme

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  • Why you should consider daycare for your child

    The New Times

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  • Rwanda Establishes Workplace Creches for Working Mothers

    KT Press

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