Education and charity often go hand in hand. When it comes to the Rwanda Education Assistance Project also known as REAP, nothing could be more true. For, the project works with Rwandan children to provide an education that is accessible to all in Rwanda. As a result, the group assist children of all economic, racial and social backgrounds with educations towards a number of different careers.
The mission and vision of the group at the time included creating a vibrant future while enriching the environment of local and rural communities. Through these efforts, the group has been able to educate and prepare children to become responsible adults and productive citizens. As a result, many of these children go on to become active in education, politics and religion.
REAP has been working in the area since 2009, though it was founded much earlier in 2006. Children associated with the project participate in an environment that is fun and educational. For, the school works to educate children whom will become critical thinkers, problem solvers and compassionate leaders. After which, it is hoped that many students will develop a career in which the individual can use these and other skills.
The organization began this work in 2006 when Rachel Ballen and father, Edward, traveled to Rwanda as volunteers. While volunteering at an orphanage, the two took note of the number of learning activities in relation to skills used in trade. After which, the two also took note of the local public school and food distribution center which sat quite close to the orphanage.
While at the orphanage, the two recognized the students desire to learn which inspired the organization now known as REAP. While having been discovered in 2006, it did not come to fruition until 2008 with work at the school starting in 2009. At which time, the organization officially began working with the orphanage and the children which it served. The main commitment at the time being to harvest the educational potential of each child in the face of ongoing challenges and obstacles including HIV, poverty and trauma related to a past of genocidal cleansing.
As the children of the orphanage attend the local public school, the school was selected as a base for the organization to begin the project. In the process, REAP discovered that by focusing on one large but complex school and the surrounding community, it would be easier for the children to demonstrate skills which had been learned as part of the program. As the children are from a local orphanage, the organization also believed demonstrations of this nature would show that even the poorest and most vulnerable youth could benefit from the project.
Studies and reports in 2016 and 2017 shows that REAP is still alive and well. In fact, there have been many developments since those early days of the project. For example, there are now a number of student clubs, student led learning programs, a school feeding program and girls empowerment club. In addition, there are now scholarships available to students, computer training and collaborative partnerships. Whereas, work to enhance the library and provide teacher accommodations was recently completed.
The proof is somewhat sufficient that REAP has been a beneficial program in Rwanda and the surrounding area. While this is the case, without the support of donors, volunteers and project leaders, this would have never been the case. It is hoped that there will now be new project leaders, volunteers and financial donors so that the work can continue now and well into the future.
The mission and vision of the group at the time included creating a vibrant future while enriching the environment of local and rural communities. Through these efforts, the group has been able to educate and prepare children to become responsible adults and productive citizens. As a result, many of these children go on to become active in education, politics and religion.
REAP has been working in the area since 2009, though it was founded much earlier in 2006. Children associated with the project participate in an environment that is fun and educational. For, the school works to educate children whom will become critical thinkers, problem solvers and compassionate leaders. After which, it is hoped that many students will develop a career in which the individual can use these and other skills.
The organization began this work in 2006 when Rachel Ballen and father, Edward, traveled to Rwanda as volunteers. While volunteering at an orphanage, the two took note of the number of learning activities in relation to skills used in trade. After which, the two also took note of the local public school and food distribution center which sat quite close to the orphanage.
While at the orphanage, the two recognized the students desire to learn which inspired the organization now known as REAP. While having been discovered in 2006, it did not come to fruition until 2008 with work at the school starting in 2009. At which time, the organization officially began working with the orphanage and the children which it served. The main commitment at the time being to harvest the educational potential of each child in the face of ongoing challenges and obstacles including HIV, poverty and trauma related to a past of genocidal cleansing.
As the children of the orphanage attend the local public school, the school was selected as a base for the organization to begin the project. In the process, REAP discovered that by focusing on one large but complex school and the surrounding community, it would be easier for the children to demonstrate skills which had been learned as part of the program. As the children are from a local orphanage, the organization also believed demonstrations of this nature would show that even the poorest and most vulnerable youth could benefit from the project.
Studies and reports in 2016 and 2017 shows that REAP is still alive and well. In fact, there have been many developments since those early days of the project. For example, there are now a number of student clubs, student led learning programs, a school feeding program and girls empowerment club. In addition, there are now scholarships available to students, computer training and collaborative partnerships. Whereas, work to enhance the library and provide teacher accommodations was recently completed.
The proof is somewhat sufficient that REAP has been a beneficial program in Rwanda and the surrounding area. While this is the case, without the support of donors, volunteers and project leaders, this would have never been the case. It is hoped that there will now be new project leaders, volunteers and financial donors so that the work can continue now and well into the future.
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