In October 2010, the Birmingham Catholic Primary Partnership (BCPP), transferred £23,000 to the Sisters in Rwanda.
The exchange rate between the Rwandese Franc and the Pound had plummeted during the first six months of 2010. Lately, it has shown signs of a revival.
Sister Susan returned to Rwanda in mid-October after undergoing surgery here in the UK during the summer. Sister will be investigating the possibility of a sponsored two month visit by one of the Sisters from her Order at some time in the future.
Land issues in Tanzania remain unsolved at this stage. Further work on the nursery school is impossible until these are resolved.
As we move towards the season of Lent, perhaps you or your school would consider contributing to the on-going costs of the work of the BCPP in Rwanda. All donations, no matter how small, can be sent to the BCPP Office. Cheques should be made payable to: BCPP – Rwanda Account.
The Director would welcome the opportunity of visiting schools to talk to the children about this work and its impact on the communities in Rwanda. Please contact the BCPP Office to reserve a date.
Education Sponsorships
Secondary
Thirty-five sponsorships were paid for in full for the 2010 year.
£6,000 of the £23,000 sent last October, will be used to sponsor thirty children through their secondary education during 2011.
During the course of last year, seven students who have been supported by the BCPP, sat their National Exams. All of them passed and three of the seven students have been granted university places for 2011. A further five pupils will finished their education at the end of 2010.
Primary
Children are now required by the Rwandan government to wear school uniform and footwear if they are to attend school. In addition, they must equip themselves with notebooks. For some families, this is too much of a financial burden and in these cases, Sister Susan will intervene to make sure that these pupils have the necessary equipment to allow them to attend school. £1000 has been allocated towards costs.
Kiruhura Primary School
Building work and the provision of desks and chairs
Last year, in Kiruhura Primary School, part of the BCPP’s donation of £1000.00, helped to provide desks and chairs for teachers. It has also been possible to furnish one of the classrooms that had no desks at all!
This year sees the undertaking of a major building project of two classrooms at the school. These will be built at an approximate cost of £7,500 each. The new classrooms will need to be equipped with desks, blackboards etc. The desks will be made by the students involved in the carpentry youth project.