Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Discovering 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.

Since 2009, the organization has been working with one complex public school in Eastern Rwanda and the surrounding community. The organization hopes this work will help provide a better future for the Rwandan people through education. Part and parcel to that goal is allowing children the ability to learn in ways that will create productive and responsible citizens.

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.

While at the orphanage, the two recognized the students desire to learn which inspired the organization now known as REAP. While having been discovered in 2006, it did not come to fruition until 2008 with work at the school starting in 2009. At which time, the organization officially began working with the orphanage and the children which it served. The main commitment at the time being to harvest the educational potential of each child in the face of ongoing challenges and obstacles including HIV, poverty and trauma related to a past of genocidal cleansing.

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, the organization has made a great deal of progress when it comes to educational programs and projects in Rwanda. For example, there are a number of student groups, student learning programs, a school feeding program and teacher accommodations. Whereas, there has also been a number of enhancements to the school library along with computer training and collaborative partnerships.

It is easy to see, especially with all that has transcended since the inception of the project, that REAP is a much needed and respected organization. As such, whether volunteering, donating or making sure the program continues to be funded, it is important that this type support continue now and in the future. Otherwise, it is difficult to know what will become of the children whom the organization helps with education and career training, almost on a daily basis.




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