Student Story: NDATEBA IVAN

I would like to introduce you to Ndateba Ivan, one of our Secondary 6 (“senior”) students. He is in his final year of traditional school in a section that focuses on Biology, Chemistry, and Geography. Ivan has been one of our sponsored students since beginning Secondary school in 2012. He has a couple of older siblings and a couple of younger siblings who are also past and present Global Capacity students.

Secondary school here in Rwanda can be very difficult for some students. During the first three years (S1 - S3), they can be learning up to 18 different subjects at one time. At the end of those first three years, they are required to participate in a national exam that tests them on as many as 13 of those subjects.WOW! Much of the time spent in the classroom consists of copying all of the notes that have been written on the chalkboard by the teacher and memorizing all of this information, without access to textbooks to supplement the material. With so many different subjects, it is not surprising that many students do not fare well on these exams.

Upon passing this national exam and moving ahead in the last three years of Secondary school, the students are placed in or choose a concentration of study. This is often based on the classes that they scored highest in for the national exam at the end of Secondary 3. The section is sometimes a combination of three subjects (i.e., Biology, Chemistry, Geography [BCG] or Computers, Economics, Mathematics [CEM]) or it could be something that is a more technical trade like Construction or Electricity or Hotel Management. In this upper level of Secondary school, the students can focus on their section as well as usually just a couple of additional courses like English and Entrepreneurship. Once again, at the end of Secondary 6, the students participate in a national exam that tests them on everything that they learned from S4 - S6. This is an extremely stressful undertaking as future possibilities can be dependent on these exam results.

Ivan struggled during the first few years of Secondary school but was promoted to continue into the upper levels in the section of Biology, Chemistry, and Geography. His overall average improved slightly with the focus on a smaller range of subjects, but he has struggled in the main courses for this section which are what his national exams will focus on at the end of this school year. When we met with him prior to the beginning of this school year, we could tell that he was discouraged and worried about his performance especially looking ahead to the national exam. So, we wondered if we might be able to get some assistance from the teachers at his school to provide some extra coaching (tutoring) for him. Thankfully, the headmaster and the teachers were agreeable and willing to spend some extra time with Ivan (and two other GC students at the same school) to help them improve in these main subjects (with some supplemental pay).

At the end of the first trimester, I was eager to see if there would be a noticeable difference on Ivan’s bulletin (report card). There was!! I was so proud of him as he had improved his scores compared to last year in his three main subjects…AND all other subjects, too. It seems that having some extra and individual attention has made a great difference for Ivan. Possibly more importantly, I think that Ivan is encouraged in knowing that we believe in him and that he is capable of improving even if it’s in small steps. I’m grateful if this is what he learns through this experience.

I'm grateful for your partnership in helping to encourage Ivan in ways that I hope will impact his confidence for the exams as well as hope for his future ahead!

Hannah Ingram
Program Director

Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.

Round 2!

And, we’re off at the start of the second trimester in schools here in Rwanda. The students were able to have about a two-week break from their studies and spend some time at home with their families. Those who are enrolled in boarding schools traveled back to their schools during the early part of last week. Classes should be back in full-swing now! We met each of the students just before they were heading back to school to give them their bank slips (to show we had paid their school fees), some transport money, and a bag of personal items to keep them smelling clean and fresh at school! :)

Creating the packages of personal items: bath soap, laundry soap, lotion, toothpaste, and Kotex (for the girls)!

Creating the packages of personal items: bath soap, laundry soap, lotion, toothpaste, and Kotex (for the girls)!

While a break from the rigors of studying is always nice, part of the reason for the timing of this school break is to coincide with a week of remembrance that begins on April 7. This week is a somber time where Rwandans remember the genocide against the Tutsi that occurred here in 1994, spanning one hundred days and killing over one million men, women, and children. All were affected by these horrific events whether directly or indirectly and it is something that has shaped the past, present, and future of this country and its people. Over the past 23 years, there has been an incredible amount of healing and reconciliation amongst the people as they focus on being unified in hoping for a better future. During this week of remembrance, there are many gatherings, often by small villages. The people assemble together to share testimonies and parts of their stories and the local leaders share messages of how the community can and should be working together towards peace. Sadly, there are some who still maintain the genocide ideologies, which are also addressed during these gatherings with the hope they will be rejected and unity can be promoted among all Rwandan people. May it be so!

The official remembrance logo and motto this year.

The official remembrance logo and motto this year.

The Easter holiday also fell during this break, so the students were able to be with their families for this special time. I joined a few friends in going to a Rwandan church (instead of the church I usually attend with English services) to experience the way that they celebrate this holiday. In some ways, the Easter message can be associated with that of this time of remembrance of the genocide—that darkness and evil had some time of reigning yet through much sacrifice comes a new day full of hope.

During this break, we also arranged a special time to celebrate our recent graduates. We had five students who finished traditional secondary school at the end of 2016 and four students who completed vocational training by February of this year. It is so exciting to see their journey so far and the efforts that they have made! We will continue to encourage and guide them as we can and have great hope that they will soon be able to secure employment that helps them to continue moving forward in independence and self-sustainability.

At the graduation ceremony, Yvonne shared a special message for both the graduates and our other current Global Capacity students who were also in attendance. She has a gift for speaking words that are encouraging and challenging and even convicting…to really help our students understand the gift that they are given in pursuing an education and that it also requires their best efforts and follow-through on their responsibilities. We also had a few local government officials in attendance and several of them were able to address the students. After these speeches, we handed out certificates to each of the graduates and offered Fanta (soda) and amandazi (little donuts) for everyone! The final portion of the celebration was taking the graduates and their parents or other family/friends out to lunch to share a special time with just the graduates. It was a fun day!

Our graduates!(The man at the far right is receiving the certificate in place of one of the graduates who was traveling in Kenya and unable to attend the celebration.)

Our graduates!
(The man at the far right is receiving the certificate in place of one of the graduates who was traveling in Kenya and unable to attend the celebration.)

Feasting with the graduates and their family/friends...enjoying goat brochette (skewer of meat), a plate of chips (French fries), and another round of Fanta. Yum!

Feasting with the graduates and their family/friends...enjoying goat brochette (skewer of meat), a plate of chips (French fries), and another round of Fanta. Yum!

And, personally, this graduation celebration allowed me to host my first overnight guests: Yvonne [our prior Program Director] and five of her kids! It was quite a bit of chaos but SO fun to have some extra activity in the house and share some fun meals together.

Thanks for partnering with us to make a difference in the lives of these students and their families.

Hannah Ingram
Program Director

That's a Wrap!

Creative use of the exterior walls of a classroom building at a school near Kayonza.

Today is the official end of the first trimester here in Rwanda. Many of our students finished their end-of-term exams a week ago and have been eagerly awaiting their bulletins (report cards). Recently, as we have been doing student visitations at various schools, it has been apparent that our students were trying to finish well with their exams. The students at boarding schools remained at school this week even after finishing their exams to give the teachers time to grade them and produce their bulletin for them to carry home. We expect a flurry of students to visit our office next Monday to give us a copy of their bulletins!

This is the shortest term of the three in a school year as it begins in late January and finishes in time for all of the students to be home for the week of mourning (remembering the genocide against the Tutsi tribe that occurred in 1994) from April 7-14. I have not been here during the week of mourning before and will see what the week holds, but generally everything closes on April 7 and 14 and in the days between businesses are only open in the morning, allowing for special services and time spent with family in the afternoons and evenings. It will be a solemn time of remembering this difficult part of the history in this country but also celebrating the reconciliation and restoration that has happened since. I’ll share more in the next update!

We will also be hosting a graduation ceremony on April 5 to celebrate our five students who completed secondary school last year and our four students who completed vocational school training. I look forward to sharing more about this celebration next month, too!

See below for a student highlight and recent video!

Thanks for your support,
Hannah Ingram
Program Director

STUDENT HIGHLIGHT: MASENGESHO DAVID

Masengesho David is in Secondary 5 and studying Electricity at a school about an hour and a half southwest of Kigali. When we met with David before the start of this new school year, he told us that he was enjoying being at boarding school and was proud of himself for how well he was doing in his classes; he could focus and not worry about paying school fees thanks to Global Capacity’s sponsorship. However, he also told us how he struggled last year with sickness (malaria) while at school and had to return home several times to recuperate. This creates a difficult situation for students at boarding school as they miss classes and have to pay for their transportation home and back to school. David’s family struggles to pay their rent without these added expenses for transport when David became sick. He is one of the older children in his family and, thankfully, was able to find an internship to help earn some money during the long break from school. His mama is extremely hard-working but has had some health issues herself and has not been able to find on-going work. While David enjoys being at boarding school, partly because he consistently gets three meals a day, it also makes it difficult to return home where his family often eats only one meal a day. However, when he is away at school, he worries about how his family is doing.

Prior to this new school year, we tried to find a different school for David that would be closer to home in case he continued to become sick and could have reduced transport costs. Unfortunately, we could not find another school that would do well in David’s section of Electricity, so we enrolled him at the same school as the previous year, praying that he would have less sickness this year.

We visited David at his school this past Saturday and are grateful that he is doing so well. He told us that the school is doing well in taking care of them and David has not been sick at all during this first trimester! What a good report! I’m so grateful that he has remained healthy and is thriving at this school and hope this continues for the remainder of the year!

Bosco (Global Capacity's Program Assistant) and I have attended a few parents' meetings at schools our students attend. These are not especially fun (sitting for ~4 hours on a skinny wooden bench), but they have been helpful for me in learning more about the education system in Rwanda in general and the ways that our schools operate specifically. And, sometimes, they have a little bit of pre-meeting entertainment (see the video below!). :)

Pre-parents' meeting entertainment at one of the secondary schools in Kigali.

Two More Graduates!

We are celebrating two of our students, Uwizero Lydia and Umutoniwase Fiette, who just graduated last Friday from a 15-month vocational school (Esther’s Aid) with a focus in culinary arts. This course of study includes a full year of classroom training and then a three-month internship at one of the local hotels. This has been an exciting opportunity for Lydia and Fiette to gain some skills that will hopefully make them very marketable and allow them to obtain jobs in the catering industry here in Rwanda.

Lydia and Fiette are both students who struggled in the traditional secondary school system. They tried their best in the classroom but received low marks and were still promoted to the next grade levels which often is not in the best interest of the students. Instead of continuing to repeat classes and grades in the traditional school, Lydia and Fiette were offered an opportunity to attend this vocational school and learn in a different way.

We got a sneak peak into the training kitchen though we weren't allowed to enter for sanitation reasons (which is a good thing!). But, we did get to sample a cookie...YUM!

Uwizero Lydia (left) and Umutoniwase Fiette (right)

During the graduation ceremony, held at the Kigali Serena Hotel, the founder of Esther’s Aid shared with the graduates and parents their focus on three things: education, skills development, and empowerment. It was quite apparent that the teachers and administrators of this school care deeply for the students and make their best efforts to train them well and prepare them for their future endeavors. I am so hopeful that the futures for Lydia and Fiette have been shaped by their time at this school and that they are also hopeful for what lies ahead. We’ll continue investing in relationships with these two ladies as they continue on their journey. More to come!

As the leader of the 2017 graduating class shared in her speech, “We can make ganache and give life to the people.” May it be so!

Thanks for your support,
Hannah Ingram
Program Director

A graduation ceremony isn't complete until there is a showcase of traditional Rwandan dancing! Enjoy!

First Day of School!

Today is the first day of school! Here in Rwanda, this is the beginning of the first trimester of the new school year. It has been a bit of a whirlwind these past few weeks completing all of the preparations needed for the 45 students sponsored by Global Capacity scholarships, but I am so grateful that we can partner with these families in furthering the education of their children.

During the long holiday break, we were able to gather with most of the students for a half-day conference where I could introduce myself as the new in-country director of Global Capacity. This was also a special time where Les and Yvonne Parr (of our partner organization, A Voice for Rwanda) were able to share some challenging and encouraging messages with our students. Yvonne shared about the “Rules, Responsibilities, and Requirements” associated with these students and their families being part of AVFR and GC to help the students remember that the benefit they receive is not a hand-out but comes with expectations that they need to fulfill. Les also shared some encouraging words about conduct and integrity at school and in all of life. We also handed out backpacks full of school materials and bags of personal items for each student.

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Recently, we were also able to meet with 24 of our students individually to ask them many questions about their performance in school during the past year, their expectations for the coming year, and their thoughts and dreams about their future…as well as more basic things like their favorite subjects and foods and home life situations. It was incredibly helpful to have this time with each student to start to learn some of their past story and see how we can encourage them in the current and future part of their story. For many, there are so many challenges and struggles to overcome that make it difficult to focus on school in addition to the tasks of daily life. I give these students much credit for making the best effort they can to reach for their dreams and I’m grateful that we can offer them the opportunity to do just that.

Here are four of our new secondary students:

Throughout the trimester, we hope to continue interviewing the remaining students (many of whom are attending schools close-by) as well as visiting the students that are further away at boarding schools. I also look forward to connecting with the various school administrators and learning more about the education system here in Rwanda so that we can be the best advocates possible for our students.

Thanks for your support,

Hannah Ingram

Program Director

Celebrating Two Vocational School Graduates

Here's a post about the adventure of attending a graduation ceremony today for two of Global Capacity's vocational school students:

https://www.radianceofrwanda.com/blog/2016/12/10/of-a-first-saturday-in-rwanda

It was also great to meet the Minister of Education for the Kicukiro District of Kigali where this school is located. I look forward to connecting with him more in the coming year!

Our New Program Director is in Rwanda!

Just a quick update letting you know that I (Hannah, the new program director for Global Capacity) have arrived in Rwanda! I am easing into this new culture and look forward to learning from Les and Yvonne Parr as well as Nsekuye Jean Bosco all that they have been doing to keep our scholarship program running. I'll be posting more updates as the journey progresses!

EXCITING UPDATE!

Dear Friends,

In our last newsletter, we announced that one of our goals for 2016 is to hire a new Program Director to begin work in Rwanda. We are thrilled to introduce you to Hannah Ingram, who has accepted the position and is beyond excited for this journey:

“In the fall of 2010, I went on my first trip to Rwanda and was deeply impacted by the beauty of both the people and the landscape. Since that first visit, I have returned two more times, continuing to be inspired by the progress in development and the remaining need in this “land of a thousand hills”. I have seen the impact of Global Capacity on the lives of individual students and their families and look forward to overseeing these ongoing efforts. While we know some of the needs and the ways that we can help to meet them, I also expect to continue building relationships with community officials and families, partnering with them to find solutions that maintain dignity and allow each person to reach their full potential.”
Hannah’s primary responsibilities will be:

  • Visiting each student at school or at home multiple times each year
  • Updating the website about each student frequently
  • Collecting, organizing and distributing school supplies and orientation materials
  • Establishing relationship with headmaster at the schools our students attend
  • Visiting program graduates to gain insight of current situation post-school

We are hoping to raise $10,000 for an increase in costs in 2016/2017, which includes sending Hannah to Rwanda and other goals. And we’d love for you to be part of that! Each of our life-changing scholarships cost $588 per year and include the following: school fees, school materials, health insurance, transportation, Secondary School kit (mattress, pillow, bed sheets, lock box, mosquito net, basin, squeegie, and towel), personal hygiene items, and two school uniforms. You can give by clicking on the button below or sending a check to our mailing address, listed in the footer.

CLICK HERE TO GIVE NOW 

Every gift of $100 receives a hand-carved dove ornament, made in Rwanda by local artisans working with our good friends at Azizi Life.

Thank you for your consideration!

Sincerely,
Executive Director, Matthew Heinz and the Board of Directors (Tim Altero, Kay Ellen Heinz, Steve Heinz, Liz Helland, Hannah Ingram, Peter Mhando, Robert Pfahl, Jonathan Stube, and Ashlee Tate)