The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has inaugurated a Sanitation Environment Improvement Project at G.S. MUKO in Musanze District, Northern Rwanda, a milestone in its ongoing efforts to promote public health and enhance educational environments in Rwanda. The initiative was spearheaded by KOICA World Friends Korea (WFK) Volunteer Nurse PARK You Young, in close collaboration with the school community.
Responding to urgent sanitation challenges faced by nursery-level students, the project delivered two major improvements:
- Construction of a dedicated restroom facility for nursery students, eliminating the need to cross a busy road to access toilets and providing age-appropriate and safe restrooms and washbasins for nursery students
- Installation of a high-quality water purification system, ensuring safe drinking water for all students, teachers, and staff.
These interventions are expected to significantly reduce the risk of waterborne diseases and promote a healthier, safer, and more dignified learning environment.
While Rwanda has made strides in improving sanitation, 24.3% of the rural population still lacks access to basic facilities. KOICA’s engagement complements national efforts, particularly through the deployment of WFK volunteers, who work directly with local institutions to implement sustainable and community-driven solutions.
Volunteer PARK’s initiative exemplifies KOICA’s people-centered approach to development. Beyond her nursing duties, she led this impactful project, reinforcing KOICA’s values of inclusivity and community empowerment.
The project also supports Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), particularly in the areas of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and health equity.
Since 2006, KOICA has dispatched around 700 volunteers to Rwanda to build local capacity across key sectors and 5 of them were dispatched to G.S. MUKO. In 2025 alone, two volunteer-led projects worth a combined over USD 27,000 have been completed one in Huye and this latest initiative in Musanze.
Inauguration ceremonies also attracted different Officials including, Mr. KAYIRANGA Theobald the Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs in Musanze District, Ms. Hyereen PARK, the Director of Department of Overseas Volunteer Program Operations at the KOICA Headquarters in the Republic of Korea, Mr. KIM Kwonho, the Deputy Country Director of KOICA Rwanda Office among other delegates from Rwanda and Korea.
At the inauguration ceremony, Ms. PARK Hyereen extended her gratitude to the G.S. MUKO administration, local leaders, and Volunteer PARK for their dedication and collaboration. As emphasized during the event, access to clean water and safe sanitation is not only a basic human right but also fundamental to achieving quality education.
She also reaffirmed the KOICA commitment to supporting Rwanda’s national development goals focusing on agriculture, education, ICT, and youth empowerment reminding that impactful development often begins with small, meaningful actions rooted in shared responsibility.
The Vice Mayor, catholic church representative (Father Alphonse TURATSINZE) and the Headteacher of the school (NIYIBIZI Emmanuel) lauded the KOICA continuous supports through Volunteer and other supported programs adding that the project responds to the highly identified needs of the school. They also promised to take good care of the facility for the sustainability and impact to beneficiaries.
