Meet our graduate Geoffrey and his dad!

Meet Geoffrey. He is one of our recent secondary school graduates with a concentration in Mathemathics, Physics, Chemistry. He would like to help families in need after school.

Below is a recent interview with Geoffrey:

Tell us about your family.

We are four at home, and my sister who lives away, where she works.

What do you want to do for a job after school?

I want to be an Engineer, and computer programmer.

What difference has school made in your life?

School has improved my way of thinking.

What has been your most favorite moment of the current school year?

I enjoyed being in boarding school, because I was able to study with others without distractions.

What has been the most challenging thing in school this year?

I once got sick, and that was my only challenge to deal with as I was in boarding school for the first time.

How do you want to create improvement in your community?

After achieving the education level of my dream, I will help children in terms of education, and will also support families in needs.

Geoffrey's father George is extremely proud of his son's accomplishments and thankful he is able to go to school.

"I have realized that I will never get a piece of land in this country besides where I stay; therefore, I have nothing to leave to my children since I have no cows, not even a piece of land. I put my children in school when I was still able to work, and that is the only inheritance that I want for my children.

I was forced to have an early retirement, and received little money, which I mostly used towards my childrens' education; unfortunately, my retirement money was not enough to further their education. Geoffrey was only able to study up to the fourth year, Hope up to the fourth year, Murashi up to the second year, and Mihigo up to the sixth year.

By the grace of God, miracles happen. One day, A Voice For Rwanda [Global Capacity's field partner] helped me support two of my children, the other two were supported by my old friends." 

To honor Geoffrey and our other graduates for their hard work, we are planning a graduation ceremony and party! This special occasion will take place the afternoon of Thursday, April 18. We expect close to 100 people in attendance including: our graduates and their families, our students, and the village leaders.

We need your help in writing a note of congratulations or encouragement to Benjamin or our other graduates.  If you would like to write a special note to them for their graduation day, click HERE.

Meet Benjamin, graduate and future community supporter

Meet Benjamin. He is one of our recent secondary school graduates with a concentration in Mathemathics, Physics, Chemistry. He would like to become an engineer after school.

Below is an interview with Benjamin from two years ago, when he was in S5. He has since graduated from S6 and is looking forward to a bright future.

Please say your name and year in school.

My name is UWINEZA Benjamin, I am in senior five at EFOTEK Kanombe.

Tell about your family.

Thanks to Global Capacity, we live well in our family, we don’t any problem.

What do you want to do for a job after school?

I want to work in what I am doing in school, Civil Engineering and Electronics.

What difference has school made in your life?

School has changed my way of thinking.

What has been your most favorite moment of the current school year?

I am thankful for Global Capacity’s support. Before I had no enough money for school fees.

How do you want to create improvement in your community?

With my life experience, I will help my community, helping kids with education support.

To honor Benjamin and our other graduates for their hard work, we are planning a graduation ceremony and party! This special occasion will take place the afternoon of Thursday, April 18. We expect close to 100 people in attendance including: our graduates and their families, our students, and the village leaders.

We need your help in writing a note of congratulations or encouragement to Benjamin or our other graduates.  If you would like to write a special note to them for their graduation day, click HERE.

Graduation Funds Still Needed!

Preparations are underway for our graduation ceremony and party, honoring our six graduates from 2012.  This special occasion will take place the afternoon of Thursday, April 18. We expect close to 100 people in attendance including: our graduates and their families, our students, and the village leaders.

We need your help in two ways:

1. Financial Help.To make this event extra-special for our graduates we are raising $500 for costs. We are in need of $200 to reach our goal. Expenses include: caps and gowns, graduation certificates, programs, invitations, food and beverages, and transportation. If you would like to make a contribution to the Graduation Campaign, click HERE.

2. Note of congratulations or encouragement.  If you would like to write a special note of congratulations or encouragement to our graduates, click HERE.

Our graduates and their areas of concentration are:

Nsekuye Jean Bosco; Concentration: Computer Science and Management

Nsengiyumva Jean Paul; Concentration: Mechanics

Mukarugeme Devotha; Concentration: Mathemathics, Physics, Geography

Nyakarashi Geoffrey; Concentration: Mathemathics, Physics, Chemistry

Mugisha Odile; Concentration: Mathemathics, Physics, Chemistry

Uwineza Benjamin; Concentration: Mathemathics, Physics, Chemistry

Meet Devotha, graduate and future engineer

Meet Devotha. She is one of our recent secondary school graduates with a concentration in Mathemathics, Physics, Geography. She would like to be an engineer.

Below is an interview with Devotha from two years ago, when she was in S5. She has since graduated from S6 and is looking forward to a bright future.

1. Please say your name and where you go to school.

My name is MUKARUGEMA Devotha, I go at Groupe Scolaire Bumba in east district.

2. Tell about your family.

We are family of eight people, six of us are siblings, and the two are my big sister’s, who is our guardian.

3. What do you want to do for a job after school?

When I finish school, my dream is to work in math and physics related fields. I want to be an Engineer after university studies.

4. What difference has school made in your life?

With my supporter, I now study very well comparing to the last two years, when frequently was getting kicked out of classrooms due to lack of school fees.

5. What has been your most favorite moment of the current school year?

I was really happy, when I represented my school in Callefur Umurezi contest and held the third place. Also our soccer team went to play at Murunda and won.

6. What has been the most challenging thing in school this year?

I don’t have much difficulties at school, except illness, I get allergies on my skin when I bath cold water in the mornings.

7. How do you want to create improvement in your community?

The first thing I will focus on after my education, is to help other without expecting anything in return, exactly as I am being supported.

To honor Devotha and our other graduates for their hard work, we are planning a graduation ceremony and party! This special occasion will take place the afternoon of Thursday, April 18. We expect close to 100 people in attendance including: our graduates and their families, our students, and the village leaders.

We need your help in two ways:

1. Financial Help.To make this event extra-special for our graduates we are raising $500 for costs. Expenses include: caps and gowns, graduation certificates, programs, invitations, food and beverages, and transportation. If you would like to make a contribution to the Graduation Campaign, click HERE.

2. Note of congratulations or encouragement.  If you would like to write a special note of congratulations or encouragement to our graduates, click HERE.

Our six graduates from secondary school!

Final exam scores for the 2012 school year were recently announced for secondary school in Rwanda. We are thrilled to announce that six of our students passed!  Just like in the U.S., graduating from secondary school is an enormous achievement and the culmination of years of disciplined study. Our graduates and their areas of concentration are:

Nsekuye Jean Bosco; Concentration: Computer Science and Management

Nsengiyumva Jean Paul; Concentration: Mechanics

Mukarugeme Devotha; Concentration: Mathemathics, Physics, Geography

Nyakarashi Geoffrey; Concentration: Mathemathics, Physics, Chemistry

Mugisha Odile; Concentration: Mathemathics, Physics, Chemistry 

Uwineza Benjamin; Concentration: Mathemathics, Physics, Chemistry

We are planning a graduation ceremony and party for our students, families, and village leaders on April 25!

Graduates from the 2011 school year will be honored as well:

Habimana John; Concentration: Mathemathics, Physics, Chemistry

Umuwaneza Anna (Cadette); Vocational School in Hotel Management

We are so proud of our students for their hard work, dedication, and sacrifice to better their lives and communities through education. 

To honor our graduates for their hard work, we are planning a graduation ceremony and party! This special occasion will take place the afternoon of Thursday, April 25. We expect close to 100 people in attendance including: our graduates and their families, our students, and the village leaders.

We need your help in two ways:

1. Financial Help.To make this event extra-special for our graduates we are raising $500 for costs. Expenses include: caps and gowns, graduation certificates, programs, invitations, food and beverages, and transportation. If you would like to make a contribution to the Graduation Campaign, click HERE.

2. Note of congratulations or encouragement.  If you would like to write a special note of congratulations or encouragement to our graduates, click HERE.

A Meet and Greet with our Field Partner

A Meet and Greet with our Field Partner in Rwanda

Global Capacity exists to improve lives in Rwanda, Africa through the means of education.  This year we are providing 45 scholarships for secondary school to extremely poor children in Rwanda.  We would not be able to complete our work or operate well if it weren't for our field partner, Yvonne Parr.  Ms. Parr lives in Kigali, Rwanda with her husband Les and 14 adopted children.  She is currently in the United States for three months and will be visiting with us for a week in March! She has counseled with and mentored most of our 45 students and in most cases knows them at a deep level. 

What: We encourage you to attend this casual Meet and Greet with Yvonne Parr!  It will be a casual come-and-go atmosphere with a brief introduction in the beginning. Feel free to stop by and meet Yvonne, hear about what Global Capacity is doing in Rwanda and how our partnership is improving the lives of many people.  If you want to hear first-hand about what life is like for our students in Rwanda, this evening is for you! Snacks and beverages will be provided. 

 When: Monday, March 11, 2013

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Where: Fellowship Hall at Calvary Baptist Church, 1250 University Drive, State College

An RSVP is not required but will help us plan for snacks and beverages.  Please take a moment here to tell us if you will be attending or not.  Feel free to bring as many people as you want. Sorry, childcare will not be provided.   

We look forward to sharing the work of Global Capacity with you and we hope to see you there!

Global Capacity News, November 2012

Global Capacity News, November 2012

Now Seeking Marketplace Party Hosts  

We are now in our Rwandan Marketplace season! The three events we've had so far this fall were huge successes.  Gifts available at the Marketplace Parties are: straw and fabric handbags, sandals, stuffed elephants and giraffes, animal mobiles, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, wooden bird ornaments, woven ball ornaments, straw and fabric coin pouches, banana leaf bowls and more! 

We're looking for more individuals interested in hosting a Marketplace Party over the next few months. It's simple:

1. Invite your friends and family to your house for two hours
2. Provide snacks and drinks
3. We will do the rest 

It's a fun way to get together with your friends, do some shopping, and help a great cause. 100% of the proceeds will go towards Global Capacity. If you are interested in hosting your own Rwandan Marketplace Party or want to attend one that's already planned, go here. 

Student Spotlight: Elias 

Elias is now in Secondary-5 (11th grade). The section he is studying is Electricity. Previously he was a boarding student and could have all his concentration on his studies. However, recently Elias was reunited with his 16 year-old sister and his 20 year-old sister. An organization reunited them and helped them by building a home for them with three rooms and another unit they can rent out for income. Elias chose to become a day student and change schools so he could better supervise his sisters as the older brother and now being an orphan led household.

With these added responsibilities, Elias appreciates even more the sponsorship he has with Global Capacity. Without his scholarship he would not be able to afford to continue with school. He is studying well even though he had to change schools. The transition took a little adjustment but he believes he will pass well. He is happy he is learning electricity as this will help him to obtain employment so he can better lead his family.