Helping Rwandan Children out of Poverty

It's now very likely that there will once again be a small group of volunteers returning to help at Muko School in Bugarama for several weeks before Christmas.

Probably a group of four in all, one of whom is a TEFL specialist keen to return to teach English to the teachers of this school and others in surrounding areas. In Rwanda the first language is Kinyarwanda and the second is French, but in recent years the government has promoted a move to become English-speaking and has joined the Commonwealth. Our teaching programme has proved to be very successful over the last few years; it is well attended and appreciated by all participants.

The remaining volunteers, along with a local labour force, will continue with the maintenance program that has transformed the school for its 1700 pupils.

Last year we were able to raise enough funds to build a replacement kitchen block which, although still basic by western standards, allows beans and rice to be cooked for the senior school students.

Additional toilets and water tanks have also now been installed, which allows hand washing after using the long-drop toilets.

The school has asked that completing the perimeter wall remain a priority - this is helping to reduce damage to the classrooms, and also flooding of the classrooms during the rainy season.

The general cleaning, painting and repairing is still ongoing.

Of course all of this work has to be financed, and any donations are much appreciated. Our volunteers pay their own expenses and fares.

Thank you for your ongoing interest and support!

Once again, my thoughts are turning to another visit to Muko School in Bugarama in the autumn.

We will hopefully be a group of four volunteers, including one returner who will again teach English to the teachers of Muko and the other schools in surrounding areas. This teaching program has proved to be very successful over the last few years, is well attended and appreciated by all present.

The other volunteers along with a local labour force will continue with the very successful maintenance program that has transformed the school to a good standard for its 1700 pupils.

Last year we were able to raise enough funds to build some additional toilets, plus a replacement kitchen block (by western standards still rather basic but it allows beans and rice to be cooked for the senior students). Additional water tanks have now been installed for washing in the toilets. The perimeter wall that has been a priority for the last three years is now nearing completion, and general cleaning, painting and repairing is still ongoing.

Would you like to volunteer to come with us? Or do you know someone who would? It's a great experience, very fulfilling and extremely worthwhile. Get in touch now on 01600 740317 or email david@hatw.org.uk

All of this work has to be financed, and although all of our volunteers pay their own expenses and fares, all donations are of course much appreciated! Thank you for your support.