Thursday, January 4, 2018

An Overview Of The Successful Rwanda Education Assistance Project

By Virginia Jackson


Charity and education often go hand in hand. As such, the Rwanda Education Assistance Project is at the forefront of providing help to Rwandan children. The group works to help boys and girls work to develop skills which can lead to a number of different careers. While this is the case, the assistance could not be provided if not for the many donors and volunteers who make the work possible.

The organization has been working since 2009 with a rural public school in Eastern Rwanda and the local community. In doing so, the organization is helping to provide a better future through education. The mission and vision of the group include creating a vibrant future and enriching the environment for rural communities in Rwanda. In doing so, the group offers accessible education which prepares students to become responsible and productive citizens.

Children participate in a number of activities and events as part of the overall program. Whereas, children learn in an environment which encourages the development of active problem solvers, compassionate leaders and critical thinkers. After which, many of these children become active in different areas of the local and surrounding community.

The organization began this work in 2006 when Rachel Ballen and father, Edward, traveled to Rwanda as volunteers. While volunteering at an orphanage, the two took note of the number of learning activities in relation to skills used in trade. After which, the two also took note of the local public school and food distribution center which sat quite close to the orphanage.

While visiting the orphanage, the two became aware of the students desire to learn and were inspired to create the project. Having been discovered in 2006, it took up until 2008 before the non-profit began operating in the area. After which, the work with the children, orphanage and school began to take shape against the ongoing challenges and obstacles going on at the time.

The main commitment at the time the work began was to harvest and demonstrate the skills the children had learned to local and surrounding communities. In addition, as many of the children were orphans staying at the orphanage, it was hoped these demonstrations would prove that the project assisted all children interested in learning, whether abandoned, impoverished or otherwise.

Since inception in 2008, REAP has made a great deal of progress. The most recent reports from 2016 and 2017 reflect this reality in great detail. For, there is now a girls empowerment program, a school feeding program, a student learning program and student clubs. In addition, there has been a great deal of enhancement to a library, scholarships made available to students, computer training, collaborative partnerships and much needed accommodations for teachers.

The proof is somewhat sufficient that REAP has been a beneficial program in Rwanda and the surrounding area. While this is the case, without the support of donors, volunteers and project leaders, this would have never been the case. It is hoped that there will now be new project leaders, volunteers and financial donors so that the work can continue now and well into the future.




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