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.

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.

While in school, children participate in an educational environment which encourages students to become compassionate leaders, critical thinkers and active problem solvers. After which, it is hoped that the educational instruction received will provide new opportunities with regards to the students and the community at large.

A father and daughter volunteer team are to thank for the establishment of REAP. For, Edward and daughter Rachel Ballen traveled to Rwanda to volunteer with a local orphanage. During the visit, the two discovered how much love the Rwandan children had for learning. After which, the two became involved with the orphanage, local public school and food distribution center to implement REAP.

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 children of the orphanage attend the local public school, the school was selected as a base for the organization to begin the project. In the process, REAP discovered that by focusing on one large but complex school and the surrounding community, it would be easier for the children to demonstrate skills which had been learned as part of the program. As the children are from a local orphanage, the organization also believed demonstrations of this nature would show that even the poorest and most vulnerable youth could benefit from the project.

Studies and reports in 2016 and 2017 shows that REAP is still alive and well. In fact, there have been many developments since those early days of the project. For example, there are now a number of student clubs, student led learning programs, a school feeding program and girls empowerment club. In addition, there are now scholarships available to students, computer training and collaborative partnerships. Whereas, work to enhance the library and provide teacher accommodations was recently completed.

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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