It decimated Rwanda's social fabric and ruined its economy. Access to even the most basic infrastructure is limited, and few have access to telephones, let alone a PC with a modem. President Paul Kagame is well aware of the fundamental need for economic growth and his government is committed to poverty reduction. The increasing opportunities presented by computers, the internet and satellite technology to generate economic growth form the basis of the government's hope for Rwanda. The Imfundo project Fulfilling this vision of an ICT-literate population is impossible without education.
Teacher training is crucial to Rwanda's drive to break the cycle of poverty.
The trial stage of the Imfundo inititaive in Rwanda is looking at how ICT can improve education through in-service teacher training, using distance learning supported by ICT, and by setting up an education network which will link Rwanda's higher education institutes and the Ministry of Education, enabling better management of the education sector and easier sharing of resources such as teaching material. Telecentres for teacher training are now being developed in existing schools in every region of the country. These will be a base for improving training of teachers in Rwanda. Trained teachers will in turn provide a more comprehensive and successful education system for the whole of the country. Once at university, students with both a solid education and ICT skills can earn decent money.