Rwanda

GPE projects in Rwanda focus on English education, as Rwanda’s national language of instruction recently changed from French to English.  Understandably, many mechanisms were lacking to provide a smooth transition for primary, secondary, or university students.  Our goal has therefore been to improve English language instruction and resources so that students are more equipped for learning in their new Anglophone environment.

Bukomero Primary School

Library (Before)

The educational system in Rwanda presents quite a challenge as a whole, with Bukomero acting as a microcosm of many national problems stemming from the fact that students must learn all subjects in a target language different from their own.  Bukomero serves almost 2,000 students and, like many rural schools, lacks even the most basic resources.  Students are forced to study under sixty year old roofs without books, learn computer science without computers, and lack properly functioning toilettes.  In addition, teachers must conduct all lessons in English, though many have only a basic command of the language itself.

For several months in the summer of 2009, GPE volunteers covered all upper primary and lower secondary English classes in addition to holding teacher trainings two days per week that focus upon learner-centered teaching methods and English competency.  Such
methods are currently being taught by Rwandan government trainers, yet localized trainings in rural districts rarely occur.  Because Bukomero has barely enough English resources for the teachers themselves,

Library (After)

these short-term initiatives were coupled with long-term steps such as the creation of a library through the renovation of a storage room and provision of basic resources such as dictionaries, English workbooks, and audio materials.

In addition, because Bukomero’s infrastructural needs are many, GPE volunteers electrified the classrooms in the school and are exploring additional future projects such as improving IT resources and connectivity, the provision of functioning toilettes (as the current facilities overflow when it rains), secondary school scholarships for students who cannot afford the fees, and roof renovations in the most dilapidated classrooms.

Universite Catholique de Kabgayi

Opening of center

Traditionally a Francophone university in the major town of Gitarama, the Universite Catholique de Kabgayi has embarked on a mission to improve the English language proficiency of students, professors, and community members who were marginalized after the rapid transition from French to English education.

GPE volunteers worked during the summer of 2009 to supplement English classes in mornings and evenings, as well as an English conversation club in the afternoons. However, the main focus of their efforts was centered upon the creation of an English language resource center located on the main campus of UCK itself.  This center is equipped with computers and a projector, as well as a wide variety of English materials including books, periodicals, DVDs, and audio CDs.

On June 21st, the center opened officially in tandem with a day-long cultural exchange conference, also organized by GPE volunteers.

Computer lab section of center

This conference incorporated speeches and performances that focus upon the connections and uniqueness of Rwandan and American culture, including a speech by Rwanda’s Minister of Education.

In addition to this main initiative, GPE volunteers also worked on several university outreach programs to encourage student service learning and volunteerism at UCK.  These include weekend IT training sessions provided by UCK students to their younger peers at a local primary school and an English conversation club at an all-female secondary school, again with facilitation provided by UCK students

Umuryango Children’s Network

In April of 2008, Global Peace Exchange began a new project in Rwanda. GPE partnered with Umuryango Children’s Network, a non-profit, non-governmental organization that gives refuge to street children, many of whom became orphans as a result of the devastating 1994 genocide and its ramifications years afterwards.

Upon request of their partner, GPE volunteers raised constructed a new center for the Umuryango complex that will house a computer lab which brought the first internet connection to that area. The center also provides housing for additional children as UCN brings them into the home.