Maranyundo Initiative’s Summer Trip in Rwanda
Celebrating MGS Graduates and Building Connections Melissa Carr, Head of the Education Committee, Jessi Smolow, Executive Director, and Maureen Isimbi, Development and Operations Coordinator at the Maranyundo Initiative, recently made a trip to Rwanda. Their visit was marked by the Maranyundo Girls School (MGS) celebratory graduation, valuable connections, and inspiring moments.
Welcoming Discussions at Mille Collines Hotel The trip kicked off with a welcome dinner at Mille Collines, where Melissa’s family, along with Jessi, Maureen, and Maranyundo Initiative Board Members Kathy Kantengwa and Isabelle Byusa, gathered to plan out the crucial work ahead.
Graduation and Future Plans Graduation weekend at MGS is an unforgettable celebration, and for anyone who hasn’t experienced it, this event is highly recommended! The school goes all out with a DJ, lively music, dancing, and delicious food, creating an atmosphere of joy and festivity. This year’s event was a powerful display of support from younger MGS students, parents, faculty, staff, and the guest of honor, Bugesera District Mayor Richard Mutabazi, who all came together to honor the Class of 2024. Adding to the excitement, two graduates, Rebecca and Peace, will be attending Notre Dame University and Smith College this fall, respectively.
Collaborations with the US Embassy The Maranyundo team was honored to meet with US Ambassador Eric Kneedler, where they explored opportunities for MGS students at the US Embassy and discussed potential collaborations with American universities in Rwanda, including Yale, Kent State University, and the University of Tennessee, among others.
Exploring Educational Innovations and Partnerships at Gashora Girls Academy A visit to Gashora Girls Academy was enlightening, where the Maranyundo team was impressed by the smart classrooms with interactive smart boards. Each of the Maranyundo visitors had the opportunity to tour the campus with a student, and some were MGS alumnae who expressed their appreciation for their time at MGS, highlighting the importance of hard work, but also noted the vast club options at Gashora, such as Model UN, painting, and more advanced college application resources. This visit sparked more ideas of opportunities to pursue at MGS and collaborations between the two schools.
Focus Groups at FAWE and Byimana Girls Schools (Benebikira Schools for the Tech Equity Project [TEP]) TEP was launched in 2021, aimed to enhance online and hybrid learning in response to COVID-19. It equipped 17 Benebikira schools with student and teacher laptops, upgraded internet, and improved Library Media Centers. We met with students at FAWE Girls School and Byimana Girls School to evaluate the program's impact and gather feedback for future improvements. These schools participated in both Phase I and Phase II of the project, which is concluding this year.
New Greenhouse Installation The greenhouse, a project envisioned by the late Sister Ann Fox, is now fully installed and ready for use. We look forward to seeing how it will enhance food security and provide valuable learning experiences for MGS students, offering hands-on education about plants and the environment.
Exciting Progress for the MTLC Seeing the Maranyundo Training and Learning Center (MTLC) approach its final stages has been incredibly inspiring. As we look forward to the grand opening in February 2025, we invite you to an interest meeting on September 16th at 5 PM if you’re interested in joining the trip to Rwanda. Stay tuned for more details!
