Donated Laptops for Education and a Return Visit to Kabaya
Today we visited the Gisenyi Nazarene College (high school) and the computer lab class. The school has 157 students ages 16-24.
During the last three years, the students pick the IT major. Once the students complete the 3 year curriculum, they move on to University. The curriculum consists of algebra, trigonometry, writing a business plan and networking, just to name a few. The computer lab class has 34 students.
The company I work at, Riverstone Resources, donated 30 laptops. Today, the students were practicing their computer coding skills. The Rwandan government mandates that all high schools have a computer lab class. If the school did not receive the laptops, the school could not be open and the students in the area would have to find another school to attend. They are very thankful for the laptops and the opportunity to attend school in Gisenyi.
After the school visit, we stopped at our favorite lunch spot, Saga Bay, for some fresh grilled fish.
After lunch, we drove 2 hours to visit the Kabaya women’s cooperative group. This group received a $400 savings bonus in 2024. Without any formal AHI Business Skills training (not required with savings bonus program), they used the funds as a way to provide small loans to the women in the group which are paid back within 1 month + 5% of loan amount. The additional 5% represents a contribution towards the cooperative’s savings. Also, the women very quickly learned when it was time to change their business. Due to inflation, (many women buy goods to resell) they changed their business so that they could continue to work. The women have done a phenomenal job.
Each of the 15 women are able to contribute towards the families’ basic needs, including food for the family. They are also able to pay for their children’s school fees. Currently, the women are unable to contribute towards a personal savings.
Their prayer request is to obtain additional help to obtain more capital to build up their businesses which will allow them to begin a personal savings. Their second prayer request is to have a place where they can gather together to worship. The church is closed due to government regulations and it will likely not open as the church is sitting on a hill that is beginning to erode.
We finished up our time in fellowship. Jenn shared about focusing on one word for the year. The one word plays a role in all aspects of life: physical, spiritual, relational, mental, financial and emotional. This was followed by sharing an Armor of God prayer.
After meeting with the women we briefly walked through the Kabaya market.
Tomorrow we will be spending some fellowship time with 2 groups from Gisenyi that received $400 savings bonuses last year. I have no doubt we will hear more success stories.
Heidi (Mutesi)
