Rwanda Scholarship Project Launch!

Many of you know that I previously lived and volunteered at an orphanage in Rwanda. What you may not know is that all orphanages in Rwanda are closing by the end of this year due to new government policy. As of April, most of the children from the VFHC orphanage are living with extended family and relatives. (A small group with no extended family remain cared-for on site while the government arranges care.) This has been a difficult transition for many children and places a larger financial burden on their extended family members, many of whom are already unable to meet their own needs for food and shelter.

With your support, my church plans to provide the children with educational scholarships that include annual enrollment in the national health care plan. These scholarships will cover the basic cost of education, including school fees, mandatory uniforms and school supplies. I will work with Rwandan counterparts who will receive the funds and pay them directly to the school and health offices, and purchase uniforms/school supplies locally.

Costs vary depending on region/school level and range from $25 per year for a primary level student, to $350 per year for a government-subsidized, secondary-level boarding school. These costs include all school fees, supplies, uniforms & health care for one year.

We estimate that we can run the whole program for approximately $3500 US for this year. This estimate will change each year as the children move up in school.

The idea is to continue to support the children until they have completed school, and then extend the program to include vocational training as the children progress. You can check out the video below for more info.

Please share with anyone you think might be interested, and contact me if you have any questions! And on behalf of the kids - murakoze cyane! (Thank you very much!)