Helping Rwandan Children out of Poverty

On our first visit to Muko School in 2010 it was in quite a sorry state, since that time there have been vast improvements. There are now 32 classrooms to accommodate the 3200 pupils; but as 2200 juniors are only able to attend for a half day, clearly more classrooms are desperately needed. The other 1000 senior students benefit from the simple, charcoal-burning, but functional kitchens that we helped build two years ago. This enables them to receive a daily lunch of rice and beans.

Once again this November a small team of volunteers will be returning to continue with the maintenance that is essential to keep this school going. It is planned to extend the kitchen and toilets; water storage tanks are also desperately needed.

The volunteers were once again working with a local labour force (up to twenty last year) providing work for them for a few weeks of the year when they otherwise would be unemployed. All products used on the school are purchased locally which is a boost to their economy.

It has taken three years to build and complete the perimeter wall which now not only protects the school from damage during out of hours, it also prevents damage from flooding during heavy rain. No damage has been reported during recent rainfall.

The English language teaching programme that we have been operating for the last three years was once again a great success in 2017, and it is hoped that if a suitable teacher is available this year it will continue.                         

Our volunteers pay all their own expenses including flights and accommodation. If you have in the past made a donation to this worthy cause, I thank you, no matter how small it may be (£2 will employ and feed a person for a day) but additional funds are always required to continue the work.

Many thanks for your interest and support!

In November a small team of Hands Around The World volunteers left the UK to continue building, maintenance and teaching at Muko school in Bugarama, Southern Rwanda. 

The volunteers were once again working with a local labour force (up to 20) continuing to improve this ever-expanding school. There are now over 3000 students, two thirds of whom can only attend on a half-day basis due to lack of classrooms. The 1000 senior students who attend full-day classes now enjoy a basic daily lunch (rice and beans) since we were able to fund, build and equip the kitchens.

It has taken three years to build and complete the perimeter wall which now not only protects the school from getting damaged out of hours but also prevents damage from flooding. No damage was reported during last year’s heavy recent rainfall.

Priorities at the school were to build further much needed toilets (see picture). Finances allowed a block of 20 to be completed before the new term started in January 2018, and also installation of water tanks and cement floors of some classrooms that remained with mud floors. Two of these classrooms also had large windows fitted, allowing light and ventilation in, replacing old wooden shutters.  Along with general maintenance, this cost about £11,000 - our volunteers do their best to raise this money themselves but any donations are very welcome!

The English teaching programme we have been operating for the last three years was once again a great success.

Our volunteers pay all their own expenses including flights and accommodation. They work with a local labour force who may have no employment for the rest of the year; buying all materials locally is a boost for the local village economy.

If you have in the past made a donation to this very worthy cause, I thank you, but please note that additional funds are always required to continue with our work.