Cookie Disclosure and Policy

1.Introduction

Soma Foundation Rwanda (“SFR,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy of visitors to our website and ensuring transparency about how information is collected and used. This Cookie Disclosure and Policy explains how cookies and similar technologies may be used on our website to support functionality, improve user experience, understand website usage, and maintain security. It should be read together with our Privacy Policy.

Our website may use cookies provided directly by Soma Foundation Rwanda or by third-party service providers whose tools or content are integrated into the website. The specific cookies used will depend on our website configuration and the services we enable.

We will provide appropriate information and obtain consent where required by applicable data protection law, including Rwanda’s Law No. 058/2021 of 13 October 2021 relating to the Protection of Personal Data and Privacy.

2.What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that a website may store on your computer, mobile phone, tablet, or other internet-enabled device when you visit it. They help websites recognize a browser or remember certain information between visits. Cookies may support functions such as remembering preferences, maintaining secure sessions, measuring website performance, and enabling certain third-party features.

In addition to cookies, websites may use similar technologies, including tracking pixels, local storage, and scripts that collect technical or usage information. Where relevant, this Policy also covers these technologies.

Not every technology used on a website necessarily collects personal information. However, information collected through these technologies may constitute personal data when it identifies or can reasonably be linked to an individual.

3.Types of Cookies We May Use

Depending on the website’s configuration, Soma Foundation Rwanda may use the following categories of cookies.

Strictly necessary cookies support essential website functions, security, and basic navigation. They may be used to maintain secure website sessions, support website security and protect against malicious activity, enable essential functionality, remember technical settings necessary for the website to operate, and support the operation of forms or other core website features.

Strictly necessary cookies do not require consent where an applicable legal exemption applies. We will not use this category as a justification for unnecessary tracking.

Functional cookies help a website remember preferences or provide enhanced features. Depending on the services enabled, they may remember language or display preferences, maintain selected website settings, support embedded content or interactive features, and improve the consistency of the visitor experience. Where functional cookies are not strictly necessary, we will request consent before using them where required by law.

Analytics and performance cookies may help us understand how visitors interact with our website. If analytics tools are enabled, they may collect information such as:

• Pages visited.
• Time spent on particular pages.
• Links or buttons selected.
• Browser and device information.
• Referring websites.
• General patterns of website navigation.
• Website errors and performance indicators.

We may use this information to understand visitor engagement, improve our website, and make our educational information easier to find. Where analytics cookies or similar technologies require consent, they will only be activated after the required consent has been obtained.

Third-party cookies. Some website features may be provided by external service providers. Examples may include embedded videos, maps, social media content, external forms, or other third-party integrations. Depending on the service and how it is configured, these providers may use their own cookies or similar technologies to support functionality, collect usage information, or manage their services.

Third-party cookies will not necessarily be controlled directly by Soma Foundation Rwanda. Their use may be subject to the relevant provider’s privacy policy and terms. Where third-party technologies require consent, we will take appropriate steps to prevent their activation until the required consent has been obtained.

Advertising and marketing cookies. If SFR introduces advertising, campaign measurement, or marketing technologies in the future, these tools may use cookies or similar technologies to measure campaign performance or understand engagement with promotional content. Such technologies will only be used where appropriate to our activities and subject to applicable legal requirements.

This Policy does not mean that Soma Foundation Rwanda currently uses advertising or behavioral tracking cookies.

4.Why We Use Cookies

Where cookies or similar technologies are used, their purposes may include:

• Website functionality: ensuring that essential website features operate correctly.
• Security: helping detect suspicious activity and protect website systems.
• User experience: remembering preferences and supporting convenient navigation.
• Performance monitoring: identifying technical issues and improving reliability.
• Website improvement: understanding which pages and resources are useful to visitors.
• Third-party features: enabling external content or services that visitors choose to access.
• Consent management: recording cookie preferences so that the website can respect visitors’ choices.

We aim to use these technologies proportionately and avoid collecting information that is unnecessary for the relevant purpose.

5.Personal Information and Cookies

Cookies may collect technical information, including browser identifiers, device details, IP addresses, browsing activity, and preference settings. Some of this information may constitute personal information under applicable law.

Where cookie-related information is personal data, our collection and use of that information will be governed by our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection requirements.

We do not sell personal information to third parties. We will not use cookies to collect information for purposes that are incompatible with the purposes disclosed to visitors or otherwise permitted by applicable law.

6.Cookie Consent and Your Choices

Where our website uses non-essential cookies or similar technologies that require consent, visitors will be given an appropriate opportunity to make their choices. Depending on the available cookie management system, you may be able to:

• Accept all optional cookies.
• Reject optional cookies.
• Select particular categories of cookies.
• Review information about cookie categories and their purposes.
• Change or withdraw your cookie consent at a later time.

Where consent is required, non-essential cookies should not be activated before the relevant consent is given. Accepting cookies should not be a condition for accessing ordinary website content where those cookies are not necessary for that content to function.

You may withdraw consent at any time. Withdrawal will not affect the lawfulness of processing that occurred before the withdrawal. We will provide a way to revisit cookie preferences, where applicable, so that you can change your choices without having to submit a separate request.

7.Managing Cookies Through Your Browser

Most web browsers allow users to manage cookies through their settings. Depending on your browser, you may be able to view stored cookies, delete existing cookies, block some or all cookies, restrict cookies from particular websites, and receive notifications when cookies are being stored.

Please note that blocking all cookies may affect certain website features or prevent some services from functioning correctly.

Browser settings may not automatically withdraw consent recorded through a website’s cookie management system. Where applicable, use the website’s cookie preference controls to update your choices.

8.Cookie Duration

Cookies may be classified according to how long they remain on your device.

Session cookies are generally stored temporarily and are removed when you close your browser or when the relevant session ends. They may support temporary website functions, navigation, and session management.

Persistent cookies remain on your device for a specified period or until you delete them. They may be used to remember preferences, retain consent choices, or support other functions over multiple visits.

The duration of a cookie depends on its purpose and configuration. Where a cookie inventory is provided, it should identify the applicable retention period for each relevant cookie. We will seek to ensure that cookie-related information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for its stated purpose, subject to applicable legal requirements.

9.Third-Party Services and International Processing

Some services integrated into our website may be operated by providers located outside Rwanda. Where these services collect or process personal information through cookies or similar technologies, the relevant information may be transferred to or accessed from another jurisdiction.

Soma Foundation Rwanda will take appropriate steps to ensure that any applicable requirements governing international transfers of personal information are satisfied. We encourage visitors to review the privacy policies of third-party services where relevant.

The presence of an external service on our website does not mean that SFR controls all of that provider’s data collection and processing activities.

10.Cookies and Children’s Privacy

Soma Foundation Rwanda supports educational initiatives that may benefit children and young learners. We recognize the importance of protecting children’s privacy when they access educational information or use digital learning resources.

We will take reasonable steps to avoid unnecessary tracking of children through our website and will apply appropriate safeguards where personal information is processed. Where consent is required for the processing of a child’s personal information, we will comply with applicable requirements, including obtaining consent from a person holding parental responsibility where required under Rwandan law.

Parents and guardians who have questions about website tracking or the handling of a child’s personal information may contact us using the details below.

11.Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Disclosure and Policy when our website technologies, third-party integrations, or legal obligations change. Any updated version will be published on this page, together with a revised date at the top.

Where a change requires renewed consent or additional notice, we will take appropriate steps to communicate the change and obtain consent where required. We encourage visitors to review this Policy periodically.

12.Relationship with Our Other Policies

This Cookie Disclosure and Policy should be read alongside the following documents, where published:

• Privacy Policy: explains how Soma Foundation Rwanda collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects personal information.
• Terms of Service: sets out the conditions governing access to and use of the SFR website and its content.

If a particular service has additional privacy or cookie notices, those notices should also be reviewed where applicable.

13.Contact Information

If you have questions about our use of cookies, wish to change your preferences, or have concerns about the handling of your personal information, please contact:

• Soma Foundation Rwanda (SFR)
• Address: 87 KG 601 Street, Kigali, Rwanda
• Email: info@sfrw.org
• Website: www.sfrw.org
• Subject line: Cookie and Privacy Inquiry

Please do not include unnecessary sensitive personal information in your inquiry.

Soma Foundation Rwanda is committed to transparency, responsible technology use, and protecting the privacy of individuals who engage with our website and educational initiatives.