Rwanda Twinning Project

Ecole Primaire de Mpunwe

Ecole Primaire de Mpunwe
Huye Sector, Huye District, Rwanda

Headteacher : Jermone Ndahimana

Mpunwe is a small village about three miles outside Butari, which is a sizeable small town in the south of Rwanda. The village is entirely typical of the country. Houses are rudimentary, there are no paved roads or communal electricity, and water facilities are limited.

You will notice from the photographs that its facilities are spartan in the extreme. Perhaps the most touching thing you will note is that the Head has written out Pythagoras theorems by hand which he has stuck over the blackboard in the made classroom. His own office and facilities are as poor as the classrooms, and you will also note that one classroom has walls, and a blackboard that has been used, but no roof because the money ran out. The village is due to expand, and some ground has been set aside to build an extension to the school, but previous experience would indicate that this may take some time, and even if completed the school will lack some facilities that we all take for granted.

I would be really delighted if Bedfordshire schools were able to help and support Jermone in his village. I can assure you that any help offered would be much appreciated, and would be going to a school in need in an area of need.

If this possibility interests you and the school I would be happy to discuss this further.

Lycee De Kigali

PO Box 637, Kigali, Rwanda

Director: Martin M. Masabo

This secondary school in Kigali has a good reputation. It takes some 1600 boys and girls aged between 13-18. Main languages spoken are French and English. Significant public examinations take place for those about 15 and 17. The school works to a calendar year, split into three terms. Examinations tend to be taken towards the end of the year in October/November.

The children come from all over the country, as this is seen as a good school, but its facilities are still poor compared to our own, and yet it has the potential to do very much more.

Of particular interest is the science bias in the school – maths/physics, biology, chemistry and biochemistry, and geography.

It only possesses some 10 computers. If its science facilities were significantly upgraded, if it had more access to computers and textbooks then the school could fulfil its ultimate ambition which is to be a leading provider for the country’s future leaders.

I believe the expertise of the upper schools in my constituency could make a significant contribution to the future of the Kigali Lycee and would be overjoyed if it was possible to set up a relationship.