Improve Education for 400 Children on Idjwi Island

We are thrilled to announce that the new classroom building in Buhumba Village is almost finished!

For the last two months, we have been working six days a week to construct the new building which will house six classrooms for EP Buhumba.  We started by loading a truck with supplies in Goma and shipping it by ferry to Idjwi Island.  We also sourced bricks, sand and other materials locally on Idjwi Island.  Our crew, which consists of workers from Goma and six local builders, has completed the exterior and roof of the building and is putting the finishing touches on the interior of the classrooms.  As is custom in the region, we are providing meals for the workers.  

The classroom building has a stone foundation, brick walls, and metal roof in the classic regional design with six classrooms that all open separately to the outside.  The classrooms, which are 3 meters by 4 meters, will provide additional space and a more comfortable learning enviroment for the kids.  For the first time, the kids will have a real floor.  The building has beautiful views of the valley and Lake Kivu.   

The children and community have been very excited about the construction project and have helped by carrying supplies and monitoring every development!  We expect the construction to be completed ahead of schedule and on budget.  The kids will have new classrooms when the new school year starts back in September.

While we are excited about the classroom building, there is more to be done.  We have already started to source new benches for the classrooms.  In the next phase of construction, we plan to complete the administrative office, which will provide the space for our health and nutrition programs.  We also are building new latrines.  

The Idjwi Island Education Fund is very grateful for our friends and supporters who have made this possible.  Thank you.