Yambi Rwanda

YAMBI RWANDA IS DEDICATED TO TRANSCENDING GENOCIDE AND OVERCOMING POVERTY IN RWANDA THROUGH THE CREATION OF OPPORTUNITY AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE LIVES OF RWANDANS, ONE-BY-ONE, WITH A FOCUS ON EDUCATION, FAITH, THE IMPARTING OF LIFE SKILLS, THE CELEBRATION OF RWANDAN ARTS AND CULTURE, AND SUSTAINED PROVISION OF THE ESSENTIALS OF LIFE, SUCH AS CLEAN WATER, ADEQUATE NUTRITION, AND IMPROVED HEALTH CARE.THIS YEAR WAS A YEAR OF CHANGE WITH SOME PROGRAMS SHRINKING AND OTHERS GROWING ALL A RESULT OF COVID. SUNZU VILLAGE PRESCHOOL IS OUR LARGEST EXPENSESUPPORTING 180 STUDENTS AGES 3-6. WE PROVIDE TEACHERS, BOOKS, MATERIALS AND FOOD FOR OUR LITTLE ONES. SPECIFICALLY, AN EGG-A-DAY. BECAUSE OF THIS WE HAVE BECOME EGG FARMERS TO SUPPLY ENOUGH EGGS FOR EACH CHILD ATTENDING SCHOOL. WE HIRED A COOK TO PREPARE THEIR PORRIDGE AND EGGS. WE ALSO GIVE THE CHILDREN FRUIT. NUTRITION HAS PROVEN TO BE SUCH A DIRE NEED AND WE ARE GLAD TO MEET THAT NEED. WE ALSO PROVIDE SALARIES FOR THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR, THE PRESCHOOL HEAD TEACHER AND FOUR OTHER TEACHERS.THE SUNZU VILLAGE LIBRARY ALSO SERVES THE ENTIRE VILLAGE. MANY SCHOOL CHILDREN COME THERE IN THE AFTERNOONS AND EVENINGS TO GET BOOKS, PLAY GAMES, DO SCIENCE PROJECTS, ETC. MANY ADULTS COME FOR BOOKS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND WE OFFER A GATHERING SPACE FOR TALKS ON MEDICAL ISSUES, COMMUNITY ISSUES AND OTHER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. AFTER COVID WE HAVE SEEN A GAP IN THE REGULAR SCHOOL EDUCATION AND THIS YEAR HAVE HAD READING COMPETITIONS, SCIENCE FAIRS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL TO OTHER PROVINCES TO COMPETE IN REGIONAL ACADEMIC CONTESTS. PERHAPS THE ONLY TIME OUR VILLAGE CHILDREN HAVE TRAVELED OUTSIDE THE REMOTE VILLAGE. SUNZU VILLAGE POPULATION COMING TO THE LIBRARY EACH MONTH IS ABOUT 1,600 PEOPLE! SCHOOL FEES FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS. THE PUBLICLY RUN SCHOOLS ARE NOT DESIRABLE, BUT THAT IS ALL THAT IS AVAILABLE. BUT THE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY AN INSURANCE FEE AND OFTEN CANNOT AFFORD TO DO SO. WE PAY THE INSURANCE FEE SO THEY MAY ATTEND. FOR MOST OF OUR SCHOOL SUPPORT HOWEVER IT IS FOR THE SECONDARY SCHOOL FEES. WE SEND 22 STUDENTS TO PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS (AS PUBLIC EDUCATION STOPS AT 8TH GRADE). THESE SCHOOLS REQUIRE TUITION, MATERIALS, ETC. AND MOST OF THE TIME THERE IS TRAVEL INVOLVED ALSO. THESE PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS PROVIDE HOUSING, FOOD, AND CURRICULUM. IT IS THE BEST WAY OUT OF POVERTY FOR THE STUDENTS WHO ARE WILLING TO WORK HARD, BE GOOD CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY AND HELP THEIR FAMILIES.