What is in Marie Claire's bookbag? I recently received a list of items that we bought for the 14 year-old Right2School student, to begin her year at secondary school:
2 school uniforms
1 sweater
1 pair of sports shoes
1 igitenge (cloth to wear while cleaning)
1 mosquito net
1 mattress
1 pillow
2 sets of bed sheets
20 200-page notebooks
10 pens
1 math set
1 calculator
1 set of passport photos
1 lucrette (like a squeegie to clean floors)
1 plate
1 cup
1 set of utensils
As I read through the list I thought about how different the items are than the ones my mom and dad used to buy me for school. Typically that list contained things like: a couple new sets of clothes, a pair of shoes, tablets of paper, folders, a lunch box, lead pencils, pencil bag, erasers, and so on. They were tools that they would purchase for me year after year because I would lose them or break them or mistreat them. I had the luxury of returning to Wal-mart each year because we had the money to do so. I learned to take school supplies for granted and not value them.
Then consider Marie Claire, who will not take any item on this list for granted. She might never have had the opportunity to own some of these supplies before. I can guarantee that at the end of the school year, some of these items will be in mint condition because she treasured and valued them.
It brings joy to my heart to know that students like Marie Claire will be improving the lives of her future children by going to school, and one day will be buying school supplies for them.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
National Heroes Day: A Reflection
It was Heroes Day in Rwanda this past Tuesday, a national holiday designated to reflect on the past and present heroes of the nation. We asked three of our students who their heroes are:
"In this worl
d there are people who make the right choice for their countries. Those heroes accept even to lose their life for the nations which is an incredible example for us. My heroes are Fred Gisa RWIGEMA, KING MUTARA III RUDAHIGWA, Students of NYANGE School, UWILINGIYIMANA Agathe and all others who sacrificed their life to save the people and plant the good culture of loving the country. In different ways they all fought against ethnicity and bad politics. As youth we have to learn from them and be the engine to keep peace and build better community."
-Jean Claude
"Fred Gisa RWIGEMA is my hero, He refused to stand and see Rwanda continue to lose the dignity, he started a war to stop the violence and liberate our country. He and all other heroes are unforgettable."
-Alphonse
"As
we remember our heroes every 2nd February. It’s time to realize their exemplary activity they did for saving our country. And it’s a good time for everyone to think about how he/she must do better to restore the country and build a stable economy. God bless all those heroes."
-Thierry
Read more about these important figures in Rwanda's history and find out why our students see them as heroes who helped shape the nation into what it is today.
"In this worl
d there are people who make the right choice for their countries. Those heroes accept even to lose their life for the nations which is an incredible example for us. My heroes are Fred Gisa RWIGEMA, KING MUTARA III RUDAHIGWA, Students of NYANGE School, UWILINGIYIMANA Agathe and all others who sacrificed their life to save the people and plant the good culture of loving the country. In different ways they all fought against ethnicity and bad politics. As youth we have to learn from them and be the engine to keep peace and build better community."-Jean Claude
"Fred Gisa RWIGEMA is my hero, He refused to stand and see Rwanda continue to lose the dignity, he started a war to stop the violence and liberate our country. He and all other heroes are unforgettable."-Alphonse
"As
we remember our heroes every 2nd February. It’s time to realize their exemplary activity they did for saving our country. And it’s a good time for everyone to think about how he/she must do better to restore the country and build a stable economy. God bless all those heroes."-Thierry
Read more about these important figures in Rwanda's history and find out why our students see them as heroes who helped shape the nation into what it is today.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wealthy donors: needy persons or buildings?
According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, only a few of the largest donations given in 2010 went to organizations that help the poor. In fact, only one out of the ten largest gifts were made to directly impact the poor. The other nine were given to institutions for expansion projects or endowments.
This is disturbing to me since it is estimated that 1 billion people live in extreme poverty, or on $1.25/day. Although the World Bank has announced that these numbers are dropping, extreme poverty is a reality of one-sixth of the world's population.
Why isn't more money given to organizations that help eradicate poverty?
Do you think giving by wealthy donors for projects like building expansion or art collections is warranted? Why do you give to the causes that you give to?
This is disturbing to me since it is estimated that 1 billion people live in extreme poverty, or on $1.25/day. Although the World Bank has announced that these numbers are dropping, extreme poverty is a reality of one-sixth of the world's population.
Why isn't more money given to organizations that help eradicate poverty?
Do you think giving by wealthy donors for projects like building expansion or art collections is warranted? Why do you give to the causes that you give to?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Auto Mechanic Dreams Come True
One of our Right2School students is having the time of his life in secondary school. Not only is he able to go to school, but he is also fulfilling two of his long-awaited dreams at the same time: he is becoming an auto mechanic and getting his drivers license. John Paul states "You have given me a miracle to go to such a good school. I never imagined to be able to go to such a school and to receive my drivers license. It is indeed a miracle."
John Paul is in the auto mechanic section of secondary school. Most schools do not provide an opportunity for students to get their drivers license. In Rwanda it is so important as a mechanic to have your auto license. Usually to do this on your own takes a lot of money and time and there is no guarantee you will pass. At his school the teachers will work with them to pass to obtain their license before they finish the school year.
It brings such happiness to know that even three months ago Jean Paul could not have imagined himself getting the opportunity to become a mechanic or get his drivers license. Through his education he is getting the chance to obtain a profitable job for himself and his future family.
The auto repair business is becoming a popular occupation as the nation continues to develop and increase its economic stability. Jean Paul's future is looking pretty bright.
Are you interested in sponsoring all or a portion of Jean Paul's road to becoming an auto mechanic? Do you have a knack for cars? Are you an auto mechanic? We can get you personally invested in his life.
For more information send an email to matthewh@globalcapacity.org.
John Paul is in the auto mechanic section of secondary school. Most schools do not provide an opportunity for students to get their drivers license. In Rwanda it is so important as a mechanic to have your auto license. Usually to do this on your own takes a lot of money and time and there is no guarantee you will pass. At his school the teachers will work with them to pass to obtain their license before they finish the school year.
It brings such happiness to know that even three months ago Jean Paul could not have imagined himself getting the opportunity to become a mechanic or get his drivers license. Through his education he is getting the chance to obtain a profitable job for himself and his future family.
The auto repair business is becoming a popular occupation as the nation continues to develop and increase its economic stability. Jean Paul's future is looking pretty bright.
Are you interested in sponsoring all or a portion of Jean Paul's road to becoming an auto mechanic? Do you have a knack for cars? Are you an auto mechanic? We can get you personally invested in his life.
For more information send an email to matthewh@globalcapacity.org.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
How Socially Responsible is Your Organization?
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
CSR Branding Survey 2010
View more presentations from Burson-Marsteller.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
A student and her mattress
When is the last time you were ecstatic about something? Not just happy, but truly and joyously excited? Was it your baby being born or your wedding day or a new job? Maybe it was the first time you realized you loved your girlfriend or when you got your first car.
For Devotha, who is one of our Right2School scholarship recipients, it was about getting her very own mattress. You see, she had never owned one before. Somehow throughout the close to twenty years of her life she never had the luxury of sleeping on her very own mattress. At school she even slept with another female student. That's three inches of foam measuring about three feet wide by 6 feet long. And yes, for two young adults. A mattress is one of the belongings that she will take with her to secondary school, where she will live, sleep, and study for the next few years. I remember the vision of students off on their way to school on the public taxis. Many were carrying rolled up mattresses with their suitcases, ready for a new year and to study hard. It is such a sight to see...young adults, waiting to make a difference in their developing country, on the way to what a large majority of children will never get a chance to see, a classroom.
Devotha wants to be a physics professor in University. She said last year she had many worries about not having school fees. Many times she had to leave around exam time which made it difficult to score well. She said "This year I will do very well, I have no worries". Like many of our scholarship recipients, Devotha comes from an orphan led family. Her older sister is taking care of all the brothers and sisters. Her older sister also became a widow in 2004 losing her husband as a soldier in the Sudan.
For Devotha this year is a year of hope and promise as she will begin school and work hard to change the cycle of poverty in her life. It's a dream come true for her, and now she will dream even easier, with her very own mattress.
For Devotha, who is one of our Right2School scholarship recipients, it was about getting her very own mattress. You see, she had never owned one before. Somehow throughout the close to twenty years of her life she never had the luxury of sleeping on her very own mattress. At school she even slept with another female student. That's three inches of foam measuring about three feet wide by 6 feet long. And yes, for two young adults. A mattress is one of the belongings that she will take with her to secondary school, where she will live, sleep, and study for the next few years. I remember the vision of students off on their way to school on the public taxis. Many were carrying rolled up mattresses with their suitcases, ready for a new year and to study hard. It is such a sight to see...young adults, waiting to make a difference in their developing country, on the way to what a large majority of children will never get a chance to see, a classroom.
Devotha wants to be a physics professor in University. She said last year she had many worries about not having school fees. Many times she had to leave around exam time which made it difficult to score well. She said "This year I will do very well, I have no worries". Like many of our scholarship recipients, Devotha comes from an orphan led family. Her older sister is taking care of all the brothers and sisters. Her older sister also became a widow in 2004 losing her husband as a soldier in the Sudan.
For Devotha this year is a year of hope and promise as she will begin school and work hard to change the cycle of poverty in her life. It's a dream come true for her, and now she will dream even easier, with her very own mattress.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
5 Reasons Why We are Working in Akindege, Rwanda
Why are we providing scholarships in Akindege, Rwanda?
1. Akindege is an extremely poor village, with 50% of the population being jobless. We hope to help the community develop and create more opportunities as a result of educating the young.
2. There are all types of family structures in Akindege, including households with both parents, one-parent, and orphan-headed households.
3. We have partnered with an organization called A Voice For Rwanda, to assist us with our Right2School program. Les and Yvonne Parr live and work in Akindege for the purpose of providing social service programs to the poor families of the village. Partnering with A Voice For Rwanda enables us to keep our sponsorship program very personal and get regular updates from the students.
4. Akindege's children have a burning desire to attend school but many cannot due to the cost and will do anything, regardless of their age, to get there. For example, one of the students we are sponsoring is a 23 year-old starting 11th grade this year. There is also a 21 year-old beginning 10th grade. The children of Akindege are not embarrassed over their age, whereas children in developed countries would probably not attend secondary school at an age of 23.
5. We have the blessing, permission, and cooperation of the government of Akindege to work there. They have necessary insight into the people of their village and assist us when needed.
1. Akindege is an extremely poor village, with 50% of the population being jobless. We hope to help the community develop and create more opportunities as a result of educating the young.
2. There are all types of family structures in Akindege, including households with both parents, one-parent, and orphan-headed households.
3. We have partnered with an organization called A Voice For Rwanda, to assist us with our Right2School program. Les and Yvonne Parr live and work in Akindege for the purpose of providing social service programs to the poor families of the village. Partnering with A Voice For Rwanda enables us to keep our sponsorship program very personal and get regular updates from the students.
4. Akindege's children have a burning desire to attend school but many cannot due to the cost and will do anything, regardless of their age, to get there. For example, one of the students we are sponsoring is a 23 year-old starting 11th grade this year. There is also a 21 year-old beginning 10th grade. The children of Akindege are not embarrassed over their age, whereas children in developed countries would probably not attend secondary school at an age of 23.
5. We have the blessing, permission, and cooperation of the government of Akindege to work there. They have necessary insight into the people of their village and assist us when needed.
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