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.

The main commitment at the time the work started was to harvest the skills each child learned and highlight those skills to the local community. In that time, there was a great deal going politically in the area. As such, volunteers had to overcome a number of challenges and obstacles while working in the area. For, not long before the organization began work, the area had suffered from a long period of ethnic cleansing and genocide.

As the orphan children attend the local complex school, the school was the best option for an operation center for the project. In the process, the organization discovered that by focusing on the local community and surrounding area, the students could demonstrate the skills which had been learned as part of the program. In addition, as many of these children were orphans, it would also show that regardless of economic or social status, even the poorest and most vulnerable could learn in ways to become a product citizen.

Studies and reports in 2016 and 2017 shows that REAP is still alive and well. In fact, there have been many developments since those early days of the project. For example, there are now a number of student clubs, student led learning programs, a school feeding program and girls empowerment club. In addition, there are now scholarships available to students, computer training and collaborative partnerships. Whereas, work to enhance the library and provide teacher accommodations was recently completed.

While it is clear to see that REAP has been a resounding success, it is important that the project continue. For, without the work of the project and volunteers, there is no telling where these children would be today. As such, whether through political action, financial donations or volunteer work, is important that this organization continue to be supported with regards to these and future efforts.




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