I want to start a library in Apapeduc High School where I'll be teaching English for the next year.

I am still a Peace Corps Volunteer, but I've relocated from Mauritania to Rwanda, East Africa to teach English. The national government has recently changed the national language of instruction from French to English and you can imagine the chaos that has ensued (imagine the USA decided one year to change all schools from English to Chinese, it'd be crazy!)

Following the 1992-1994 Civil War that culminated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi minority, the current Rwandan Government has made ambitious goals in order to modernize, stabilize, create lasting peace, and promote reconciliation within the country. “Vision 2020” includes environmental, hygienic, and educational reforms, including changing the national language of instruction from French to English last year, obligating untrained professors to teach un-exposed students in a language no one knows. Which is where I come in: I am teaching English in Bungwe (say it: BOON-gway), a small hubbub community in the mountains of northern Rwanda.

In my quest to promote English education, a love of reading, exposure to new ideas, and an appreciation of global affairs, I realize I cannot do this alone. Though locals and my fellow teachers support my ideas and are beyond grateful for the giving of my time and skills, they are limited by illiteracy, lack of electricity, means and funds. Parents themselves show intense interest in their children’s education as every Saturday finds them voluntarily carrying bags of sand and rocks—on their heads—from the quarry to the site of new classrooms being built. With the guidance of paid engineers, the community is literally building their classrooms. The government gives some monetary assistance, parents build schools with their own hands, I am offering my skills, and students are willing and (so) excited to learn. But it's not enough.

If you feel that you would like to be part of our team effort to educate, facilitate peace, and promote understanding, do not (yet) give us your money... we need books! The “old school” ink and paper has yet to infiltrate rural Rwanda, has not yet blessed a population with the wealth of knowledge held within. Bungwe has an elementary school and two secondary schools (high schools) serving thousands of students and locals, yet has no library, no books (besides sub-par text books in French). Literally any book in English will contribute to Rwanda’s goal of learning this international language, and my hopes of a profound appreciation of learning.

Thank you for considering Bungwe, the development of young minds, the hope and future of a recovering country.

Feel free to look at my blog: bololam.blogspot.com
or call/skype me: 00 250 78 597-9354
(be patient, the network is horrible!)

Sending with a flat-rate box (available at the post office) is cheapest:
Michele Hernandez, PCV
Apapeduc Secondary School
P.O. Box 72
Byumba, Rwanda
East Africa

Include a list of costs and it can be tax deductable!