REAP educates Musha Community about Sexual and Reproductive Health

One of REAP’s most important goals is to educate students at the Duha Complex School about sexual and reproductive health, and in doing so, empower the surrounding community of Musha as a whole. By helping to create a dynamic where school and community exist and cooperate hand-in-hand, we hope to promote a safe learning environment for both students and teachers.

To help achieve this goal, REAP established and now funds two programs at Duha: S.R.H.E. (Sexual and Reproductive Health Education) has helped bring sexual education into the classroom, while TUSUME is a club, comprised of over 70 different students, male and female. The stated goal of both programs is to reduce dropout rates between both sexes. The nearby mines in the Musha sector tempt boys to dropout, as the dangerous work provides immediate income. These boys are also more likely to enter into unprotected sex, which results in unwanted pregnancies and forces girls to dropout as well.

Both S.R.H.E. and TUSUME help communicate the dangers of the mining lifestyle by putting on performances for the student-body and the surrounding communities. On September 30, 2014 both clubs held a sexual health outreach day at Akabare Community Center, during which they performed an educational play named “Utagira Nyirasenge Arisenga”.

The purpose of the play was to convey 3 main themes: preventing early and unwanted pregnancies, menstrual hygiene and cooperation between parents and youth in identifying sexual abuse. All 3 issues are at the core of what afflicts this rural community, a lack of knowledge.

Hundreds of people from the community attended the performance, including students and their parents, some of whom admitted afterwards they were not aware of the dangers posed by reproductive decisions. Attendees also vowed to present a united front against those who are locally called “sugar daddies” and “mammies”, along with miners that recruit children from school.

REAP is working with the students to not only provide information, but to also create a dialogue between school and community. It is REAP’s belief that only through this type of all-inclusive cooperation can the school truly begin to tackle some of the complicated issues that burden its students, including but not limited to the taboo topic of sexual health.

Duha Cow Farm welcomes a newborn Calf!

During the night of December 1, 2014, our 6 year old mother cow named Indinganire gave birth to a new female calf. The new black and white Friesian cow is now resting comfortably with her mother in the corner of our enclosure. Both newborn and mother are receiving appropriate food enrichment to increase milk yield.

As nursery classes will reconvene in January, this birth comes at an especially opportune moment, that we might provide a sufficient amount of fresh milk for our preschoolers to mix with their daily porridge. More milk, leads to better nutrition; better nutrition leads to increased energy and cognitive aptitude.

Excited to provide an opportunity for increased learning potential, the Duha School and its surrounding community are also encouraged by the fact that the farm seems to be expanding towards self-reliance. While primarily focused on nursery students, this project also looks to highlight the change that can be achieved through community-led grassroots efforts. Truly remarkable!

P5 learning enrichment program, a success!

Every year, P6 students take a national examination. Based on the results, the Ministry of Education sends a limited number of outstanding pupils to secondary boarding schools. The national examination covers all subjects from 4th to 6th grade. The exams are given in English; a subject students are still struggling to master. Sixth grade teachers faced the difficult task of teaching content and skills that have not been sufficiently understood in the earlier grades to effectively build upon. To address this problem, REAP in partnership with Duha, started an Enriched Learning Program for students who passed P5, while waiting to start P6. Under the supervision of REAP staff Elisaphane and P5 math teacher Valens, this 6-week holiday program begin in November, and was recently completed before Christmas. The program aimed to help refocus students’ energy on mathematics and English language, while emphasizing understanding rather than breadth and coverage.

Elisaphane and Valens collaborated with Eugene, REAP’s educational coordinator, to select specific topics from P4 and P5 that directly connect with P6 subject matter. They identified the content that most commonly shows up on national examinations. Every day, students were divided into two classes. Elisaphane taught English, while Valens led math. At the end of each chapter, students were evaluated to assess their level of understanding, while gaps in knowledge were addressed on an individual level. The program has turned out more than 60 students everyday since it was launched.

Fabulous Senior 6 National Exam results at Duha School!

Upon completion of secondary school in Rwandan public schools, students are expected to take a national examination. Students must pass the national exam to receive their high school diploma. Those students who score high enough may very well earn university scholarships, distributed by the government.

At Duha, students may take the test in 2 major subjects: HEG (History, Economics and Geography) or EKK (English, Kinyarwanda and Kiswahili). Last year, Duha’s pass rate was 100% in HEG and 85.7% in EKK.

These astounding outcomes were a direct result of extensive learning enhancement programs that students have been immersed in since primary grades. These programs include classroom reading sessions, Saturday learning enrichment initiatives and improved library services that enhance reading and research, just to name a few.

We are very proud of the incredible drive our students display. REAP works hard to match that effort and facilitate lifelong learning for these impressive scholars.

Mandela, a REAP alumnus is employed by a leading Mining Company in Rwanda!

Since 2010, REAP has offered 17 high school scholarships to brilliant yet vulnerable students who pass P6 or S3 national exams and can’t afford pursuing their education. Mandela is one of the scholarships students who, with REAP’s sponsorship, has successfully graduated from high school and used his schooling to capitalize on job opportunities.                                                                                                       

Mandela is now employed as a chef at Piran Resources Rwanda, one of the leading Mining Companies in Rwanda. During an interview with our staff, Lunnie, Piran’s manager said that Mandela beat out 3 outstanding and highly qualified candidates in a competitive job application process. He also commended Mandela as their most disciplined and hard working employee. Mandela’s proficiency with English has ensured his steady rise in the company to where he now has opportunities to train other cooks and take on more of the daily managerial responsibilities.

REAP scholarships provide immediate and future benefits to their lucky recipients. Keep making us proud Mandela, we will continue to make you proud!