Education Rwanda Project #25774

Give Samuel the Chance to Go to School

A microproject by MindLeaps

Project Report | Oct 26, 2017
Thank you and Here's News About Samuel!

By MindLeaps Rwanda Team | Education Program

Samuel after Term 2

Thank you so much for supporting Samuel’s school tuition at the end of 2016. Because of you, Samuel was able to start school in January this year. Samuel has now completed Terms 1 and 2 at OrpCare Boarding School, and we wanted to update you on his progress.

The first term can be challenging for many MindLeaps students; they have been out of school for several years and need to transition both academically and emotionally to this new environment. During his first term, Samuel struggled in several of his classes. During Term 2, however, Samuel worked hard in all his classes and improved by leaps and bounds. His grades went up in almost every class, and he improved his overall GPA by almost 20 percentage points! His teachers noted his dedication and improvement saying: "You have tried and worked very hard to improve in English, French and Science." Regarding his specific class grades in Term 2, his best scores were in Kinyarwanda, where he received an 82% (equivalent of an A-), and Social Studies, where he received a 76% (equivalent of a B+).

Thanks to your support, Samuel is attending an excellent boarding school where - in addition to his education - his food, clothing and shelter needs are also being met. He is also with several other MindLeaps students at Orpcare and gets to be a part of this friendly and supportive community.

We are so grateful to you for enabling Samuel's education. We can’t imagine the loss of potential if he was still on the streets rather than having the opportunity to learn.

MindLeaps students at OrpCare

Samuel's Term 2 Report Card

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Jan 29, 2017
Thank you - Samuel is Going to School!

By Rebecca Davis | Executive Director

Samuel

You are receiving this report as a donor to the MindLeaps' Project "Give Samuel the Chance to Go to School".

We are thrilled to inform you that we raised the full amount needed for Samuel to school! Samuel started school on Monday, January 23. Samuel is attending ORP Care, an excellent school in the Eastern part of Rwanda in a town called Rwamagana.

In the past, Samuel would never have thought this could be his future. As a young child, finding food was always a challenge, and his family was lucky if they could eat once a day. In order to survive, Samuel left home when he was 8 years old to go live on the streets where he would beg and steal in order to get enough to eat. He dropped out of school in 3^rd grade.

Samuel started coming to MindLeaps two years ago. Since joining MindLeaps, he has turned his life around and is now one of the top students at MindLeaps. Year 2016 was a particularly exciting time for Samuel. He performed at Heaven Restaurant, a popular place for tourists, and in the Ubumuntu International Arts Festival in Kigali in front of an audience of thousands. His confidence has grown through dance, and he clearly believes he is a new person.

Together, we raised the full $900 needed to help Samuel make the permanent transition from the street to school. These dollars will pay for an entire year of tuition, three meals/day, a safe place to sleep in the dormitory, transportation to the East from Kigali, and school materials. On his first day of school, we also gave him a special outfit and new shoes in honor of you - he loves them (and you)!

On January 23rd, when Samuel arrived at ORP Care School, he couldn't believe that this place of peace and learning will become his new home. "I dreamed of this place. My dream has come true," Samuel said to MindLeaps Country Director.

Many thanks to each of you for making this transformation possible. Shout outs to Corinn, Michael, Andrew, Sawyer, Maureen, Caitlyn, Julia, Oxana, Evelyn, Stephen, Ann-Sophie, Caroline, Emily, Cassidy, Royce, Briana, Nicole, Dane, Gregory AND MORE!

Samuel could not be more excited to return to school. If you would like to receive regular updates about Samuel throughout the year, please send an email to davis@mindleaps.org.

Your generous support made this possible.

Thank you!

Samuel performing with MindLeaps at Ubumuntu

Samuel (in the green pants) at ORP Care School

Samuel (jumping on the left) during his first day

Links:

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