Rural Futures by KIA

Kigutu International Academy at Village Health Works

Rural Futures by KIA

Empowering rural youth in Africa through community-rooted, tech-enabled education that builds skills, leadership, and opportunity

Kigutu, Burundi

BDI

Nonprofit

In rural Burundi, one of the poorest countries in the world, access to quality secondary education is nearly nonexistent—especially for girls. Nationally, only 17% of girls complete lower secondary school, and fewer than 1 in 10 continue to upper secondary. In Kigutu and surrounding communities, youth face overlapping barriers: poverty, lack of qualified teachers, gender inequality, and the absence of safe, supportive learning environments. Schools often lack basic infrastructure, let alone resources for durable skills development or inclusive pedagogy. Globally, over 250 million children are out of school, and millions more are in school but not learning. These challenges are amplified in rural and conflict-affected areas, where learning gaps are deepest and future opportunity is most fragile. We are addressing this gap through a replicable model of rural educational excellence—one that centers equity, community engagement, and rigorous academics. Each student at Kigutu International Academy (KIA) has 1:1 laptop access, using technology as a tool to support high-quality learning, develop digital literacy, and connect rural Burundi to the world—and the world to rural Burundi.

Kigutu International Academy (KIA) is a world-class secondary school in rural Burundi that serves as a blueprint for inclusive, high-impact education in underserved communities. KIA combines rigorous academics with technology integration, leadership development, and community engagement to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to shape their futures. At the core of the model is 1:1 laptop access for every student, allowing for digital literacy, personalized learning, and real-time connection to global resources and networks. Technology is used not to replace teachers, but to enhance high-quality instruction and enable collaboration with educators, mentors, and peers beyond Burundi. KIA offers a holistic, gender-inclusive residential learning environment, where students receive academic, social-emotional, and leadership support. Faculty are trained to deliver an interdisciplinary curriculum rooted in African identity, global problem-solving, and real-world application. This replicable model transforms rural education by showing what’s possible when excellence, equity, and technology are woven together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ3tnN7fhHU

Our solution directly serves high-potential youth from rural Burundi, one of the most underserved regions globally. The majority of students at Kigutu International Academy (KIA) come from low-income families and communities where access to quality education is extremely limited, especially for girls. These youth face intersecting barriers—poverty, gender inequality, under-resourced schools, and few pathways to higher education or employment.​ KIA addresses these challenges by providing a fully-funded, residential secondary education model rooted in academic excellence, leadership development, and holistic support. Students receive 1:1 laptop access, high-quality instruction, and mentorship in a safe, inclusive environment that promotes critical thinking, creativity, and purpose.​ The impact of this approach is exemplified by Marie Gaella Dushime, a recent KIA graduate from rural Burundi who, at just 18, earned a full scholarship to Harvard University. Gaella's achievement underscores how KIA equips students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and beyond. The impact extends beyond individual lives, influencing families, villages, and the broader region as students reinvest their skills and vision into building a more just and vibrant future.​