Preventing Covid in Rwanda—New Handwashing Station is installed with donations from the WFWP Schools of Africa Project

Thanks to many generous donors, the Schools of Africa Project sent $1,000 to the New Hope Technical Institute in Rwanda which they used to install a handwashing station to stop the spread of Covid. Now the students have access to clean running water, things we take for granted, however not guaranteed in all areas of the world. A heartfelt thank you to all supporters of the Schools of Africa Project.

Please watch the short Thank You video made by the students

Background Information about the New Hope Technical Institute
Rwanda suffered from civil war in 1990 and a genicide that killed 500,000 to one million people in the span of 100 days in 1994. The Rwanda Patriotic Front ended the genocide with a military victory in July 1994. The New Hope Technical Institute was founded in 1998 with an objective to help women become financially independent post civil war. 

Since 2000, with a promotion of the World Bank-sponsored project “Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Project,” men and ex-soldiers have been enrolled. Some graduates have succeeded as entrepreneurs, utilizing the skills and expertise they learned at this institute.

Since 1999, students who have financial difficulties have been aided through a sponsorship program. The technical degrees offered at the institute are dressmaking, culinary arts, and training to be a beautician. Students also take courses in English, French, and business administration. Courses are further enhanced by support from international volunteers.

“When I lost my parents in the civil war and became a genocide orphan, I had no dreams or hopes. Thanks to the foster parents program of NHTI [New Hope Technical Institute], I was able to enter this school and graduate. Finally I was appointed as a chef at a restaurant. After that, I got married and could support my family. I was lonely after the genocide, but this support gave me the confidence to live and made me imagine a future I never thought of. Just like the school supported me, this time I would like to help current students and give them opportunities for off-campus training.”

WFWP would like to thank all who donated to the Schools of Africa Project.

To give to the Schools of Africa Project click here.

To find out more about the Schools of Africa Project visit: https://www.wfwp.us/schools-of-africa