The group of six
on Annemiek Miller (Rwanda), 02/Sep/2006 14:20, 34 days ago
You will have to imagine the picture. Cannot manage the technology today!!!The Group of SixI have finally met the group of six students who will be helped with their school fees through a bursary fund which originated at my church in Toronto, Rosedale Presbyterian Church. It was the Youth Group of this church who decided they wanted to use some of the Outreach Budget to help students in Rwanda stay in school. From left to right, Thomas, Chantal, Béata,Clénie, Jean and Gustave will be assisted with their school fees, some personal hygiene materials and school supplies. As we sat around and got acquainted this afternoon, we went through the basic things they might need. As we moved from notebooks and pens, to geometry sets, one of the youngpeople said that he didn’t have a mattress.Three others also admitted, ashamedly, that they had been sharing the bed of a friend because they did not have a matress.When we moved to uniforms, all admitted they have just one pair of trousers or one skirt and one shirt. Two of the boys’shirts were worn to the point of having rips. One of the girls shyly came forward to say that she does not own a uniform and was wearing one borrowed from a friend. Shoes were another problem:most were wearing borrowed shoes. The young people understand we cannot solve all their material problems, but we will do our best to equip them with the proper bedding, plastic sandals in addition to their school equipment and toilet articles. Further activities we plan to undertake with these students are to provide workshops in leadership , organizational and entrepreneurial skills. The plan is thatwhen they have received some training they will serve as leaders in a vacation camp for primary school aged children. In order that the young people from Toronto and also the rest of the congregation, will get to know the circumstances of these young Rwandans, we have asked the six students to write a letter once a term where they talk about themselves, their families and their asademic studies.In our discussion today all students agreed they would continue to do their best to find some funds to help pay their expenses. Although this term we are financing the school fees 100%, we encourage them to come forward with whatever small amount they have been able to save.