Monday 23 April 2018

An Overview Of The Successful Rwanda Education Assistance Project

By Virginia Jackson


When it comes to charity and education, REAP is at the forefront. Standing for rwanda education assistance project, the organization works to help boys and girls of the area develop educational skills which can lead to careers in a number of areas. While this is the case, it can often be difficult for many to learn about the program.

The mission and vision of the group at the time included creating a vibrant future while enriching the environment of local and rural communities. Through these efforts, the group has been able to educate and prepare children to become responsible adults and productive citizens. As a result, many of these children go on to become active in education, politics and religion.

REAP has been working in the area since 2009, though it was founded much earlier in 2006. Children associated with the project participate in an environment that is fun and educational. For, the school works to educate children whom will become critical thinkers, problem solvers and compassionate leaders. After which, it is hoped that many students will develop a career in which the individual can use these and other skills.

The organization was founded by Rachel and Father Edward Ballen. The two had traveled to Rwanda to volunteer at a local orphanage. In the process, the two learned how much the children at the orphanage learned to love about trade skills. During the process, the two also discovered that a local school and food distribution center 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.

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.

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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