New School Doors Open in Nemba

This past week I attended an inauguration ceremony for a remodeled high school facility in my town. The school is part of Catholic charities supporting my community. The charities include a hospital, a health center, this school, as well as other social services which include services to orphans, survivors of the genocide, and people with HIV/AIDS. The charity that's behind all this is called Medicos Mundi (www.medicosmundi.es) a Spanish charity that supports charitable efforts in my district.

The school runs from first grade all the way to Senior 6, so it's actually more than a high school. The building renovation efforts were managed by a Spanish architect and medical doctor, Mariano Perez. The financial contribution and architect support from Universidad Miguel Hernandez (http://www.umh.es)

The inauguration event was attended by the Spanish minister of international development, as well as the Rwandan minister of education. Others in attendance included the governor of the Northern Province, the mayor of the district as well as representatives from the Catholic Arch diocese of Musanze, and many others. Attendees braved the rainy day and the event continued as planned despite the nonstop rain and the muddy grounds!!

After the cutting of the ribbon, the guests and invitees were taken on a tour of the new facility. The guests were greeted by the drumming group and dance troops from various schools. The new building is exceptional. The new facility includes new classrooms, a laboratory, a teachers' lounge, meeting room, and hygienic bathrooms for both boys and girls and separate toilettes for the staff.

The students will also enjoy a large play ground, a nice garden, a clean source of drinking water. Following the tour, it was time for a Rwandan favorite pastime, SPEECHES!! Many lines up to give speeches starting with the Mayor, the Governor, Dr Mariano, the Rwandan and the Spanish ministers. The main guests were then presented with presents that consisted of Rwandan handmade baskets and straw plates with designs made with dry banana leaves.


My favourite part of the event was the closing ceremony with more dancing and drumming and the practice of another Rwandan tradition, sharing a meal of corn-on-the-cob. I first declined to take in the tradition as I felt bad eating a corn while 100s of hungry eyes are staring, but then accepted once I saw that everybody was receiving one, all 2,000 in attendance!!

I happened to visit the school in the past on more than one occasion, and seeing the before and after, I can really appreciate the difference. With a focus on health and education Medicos Mundi is doing great job on improving living conditions, creating opportunities, and help lift a community from poverty.