“It is assumed, from the moment they step through that door, that these girls will go on to university and then to lead the country.” Becky Tinsley

Rwanda Girls School is an independent boarding school for 600 girls in Rwanda. The genesis for the school came from the belief that girls, if given the chance of quality education, can be empowered to be successful leaders in any area they chose. Today, girls in Rwanda are not always given that chance because 70% of families live in poverty and traditionally boys take priority when resources are scarce. Girls are expected to stay at home and help with domestic duties. The future for these girls is grim as they have limited skills and opportunities for their future and at best, can only hope for some menial job like making baskets or sewing. They are encouraged to marry young and, without literacy and leadership skills, are disadvantaged when it comes to standing up for their rights over things as important as their own reproductive health. As 30% of Rwandan children are orphans, either from the genocide or from AIDS, these problems are magnified.

The Rwanda Girls School will offer the best academic education and prepare the next generation of leaders and professionals for Rwanda. It will improve the standard of education and the quality of life for its students. Girls achieving high marks in Grade 6, the last year of the state sponsored education system, will be given the opportunity to attend the school. They will come from all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and girls who can not afford to go to the school or girls who are orphans will benefit from a student sponsorship program and bursary fund. In addition to a quality academic curriculum, emphasis will be on proficiency in the English language, science, computer training and sexual reproductive health including HIV/AIDS awareness. The school will not only prepare these girls for university and professional careers, it will also prepare them for life and give them many more options for the future than they currently have.

Qualified teachers will be an important component of the school’s success. Since it is believed that 80% of teachers in Rwanda were murdered in the genocide, it will be necessary to train quality teachers. Teachers at the school will be paid a wage beyond the current basic wage offered by the state and be provided with other benefits so they will not be enticed to seek higher paying government jobs once they are trained.

Widows of the genocide will be offered jobs at the school as ‘House Mothers’ and will live in-residence. These women will be trained by a professional psychotherapist to provide support to the girls while they are living away from home. As many of the girls will be orphans, these House Mothers will be like a real mother providing love and mentors.

The school will also serve the surrounding community of 3,000 by offering employment and services it currently lacks including electricity, a medical clinic and a paved road and internet access which will improve access to agricultural markets for their produce. It will also offer classes in literacy, HIV/AIDS awareness and issues related to women’s rights including domestic violence, bride selling and sexual and reproductive health.

Physically, the school will consist of the following:

• 2-story classrooms, science labs, computer labs, a library and teacher’s offices
• teacher’s block with accommodation for those who do not live locally
• series of 2-storey dormitories for the 600 girls and the House Mothers
• guest block for those volunteering from overseas
• medical clinic
• multi-purpose building with a kitchen, restaurant, conference facilities and gymnasium
• sports field
• garden and livestock pens to supply the kitchen

Construction of the school is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2007. The first phase of the school will open in January 2008 and the other phases will follow.

For more information on the Rwanda Girls School visit their website www.RwandaGirlsSchool.org

INSPIRE!africa Activities:

INSPIRE!africa is raising funds from Canadian donors for both construction and ongoing operation of the school including building maintenance and teacher salaries, training and upgrading. Further, Canadian donors will be able to sponsor girls who are orphans or whose families can not afford tuition fees. Sponsors will be encouraged to develop a relationship with their sponsored student through e-mail letter writing.

Finally, INSPIRE!africa is offering opportunities for international volunteers to contribute their skills and expertise to various aspects of the building and operation of the school.

“Schools such as this are fundamental to the life of a society.” Stephen Lewis
(speaking about the Rwanda Girls School, September 2006)