Smart- Step Learning

Upcycling Waste into Education

Hi I’m Feston, co-foumder of Smart Step Learning. In Rwanda, many young children lack affordable learning materials. Smart Step Learning transforms recycled waste into affordable, durable, play-based kits with letters, numbers, and 3D shapes. Our innovation helps children learn through play, builds confidence, reduces education costs, promotes environmental protection, and makes early learning.

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Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Updated October 2026

Created by

SMART-STEP LEARNINGG

Web presence

2026

Established

1

Countries

Students early

Target group

We hope to make early childhood education more affordable, accessible, and enjoyable for every child. Through our recycled, play-based learning materials, we want children to develop strong reading, writing, counting, and critical-thinking skills. We also hope to help teachers create engaging lessons, reduce educational inequality, and turn waste into useful learning materials.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

Becouse Rwanda has made progress in expanding Early childhood Development services. but many community-based ECD centres still face challenges accessing quality and affordable learning materials.

many educational toys and materials available on the market are either expensive. imported, or designed mainly for passive use. This limits the ability of teachers to provede children with hands-on and creative learning experiences.

at the same time, many young artists have creative skills but limited opportunities to use these skills to generate sustainable income.

There is therefore an opportunity to create a solution that supports both early childhood learning and youth livelihoods while also reducing waste.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

Smart Step Learning works by collecting recycled materials, such as plastic bottle caps and sawdust and transforming them into affordable learning kits containing alphabet letters, numbers, play learning, counting tools, and 3D shapes. We deliver these kits to schools and early childhood learning centers and guide teachers on how to use them through fun, hands-on activities. This helps children aged 3–6 develop reading, writing, counting, and critical-thinking skills while reducing waste and making learning more affordable.

How has it been spreading?

Smart Step Learning spreads through school visits, demonstrations, and direct engagement with teachers, parents, and school owners. We introduce our affordable, recycled-material learning kits, collect feedback, and use social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook andRw Instagram to reach more customers. We aim to expand to more schools and early childhood learning centers across Rwanda.

How have you modified or added to your innovation?

We have improved our learning materials by using recycled materials such as bottle caps and sawdust to make affordable alphabet letters, numbers, and 3D shapes. We have also developed a learning kit to help children learn through play

If I want to try it, what should I do?

You can try our Smart Step Learning kit by using the alphabet letters, numbers, and 3D shapes to help children learn through play. Contact us to instagram and whatapp Number : 0784041663 to get a kit and guidance on how to use it

Implementation steps

How to Use Smart Step Learning Kits to Help Children Learn Through Play

Step 1.Prepare the learning materials.
Step 2. Introduce the learning kit.
Step 3: Choose a learning activity
Step 4: Let children learn through play.
Step 5: Connect play with learning.
Step 6: Observe children's progress.
Step 7: Collect feedback and improve.
Ask teachers and caregivers about the materials' usefulness, affordability, durability, and easy to use. Use their feedback to improve the learning kit and provide follow-up support.