The Girls Are Back on Campus!
The buildings of Maranyundo are alive again! On Sunday, November 1st the first half of the girls came back onto campus - S-3s, S-5s, and S-6s! They are very happy to be back together and back to learning in person after 7 months apart.
Thank You Teachers!
Today we are thinking of and appreciating all the very hard working teachers at the Maranyundo Girls School. 2020 has been a challenging year for keeping students engaged and learning and the MGS teachers rose to the challenge! Today on World Teachers Day, and everyday, we thank you all for your hard work and dedication to educational excellence.
COVID-19 Update – Girls Remain Home, E-Learning Implemented
Sister Laetitia, the new Head of School, is busy! She has been working with faculty to design and implement distance learning. She also partnered with local companies, Mara Phones and Airtel, and the Maranyundo Initiative to provide low-cost smartphones and free internet to connect vulnerable families to the MGS e-learning platform and the social support of the MGS community
Update From Rwanda
We wanted to share this update from Sister Ann, Sister Juvenal and Sister Laetitia on what is happening in Rwanda and with the schools:
The Importance of Girls Education During Covid-19
This is a great read by Michelle Obama and Melinda Gates and emphasizes what we see through Maranyundo Girls School and the Benebikira schoosl throughout Rwanda.
"Raising strong, empowered girls requires strong, deliberate action in normal times -- all the more so during a global crisis. And while Covid-19 is forcing the world to do just about everything differently, it's also an undeniable opportunity to do things better.
Tufts Presidential Award Given for STEM MakerSpace
This spring, Tufts University President, Anthony Monaco, announced that Sara Willner-Gweric, who worked to create the MGS STEM MakerSpace, is a 2020 recipient of the Presidential Award for Civic Life. Each year this award recognizes undergraduate and graduate students from across Tufts University for outstanding achievement in community service and community leadership.
Congratulations to Sara for this well-deserved recognition and thank you for your hard work and contributions!
Message Of Hope And Solidarity
We want to thank you for the outpouring of support for those in the Maranyundo community experiencing hardship during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite school closures across Rwanda, your ongoing support enables teachers to continue to be paid, provides devices and Internet access for MGS students to continue learning and connecting with teachers and friends, provides food and basic needs to families unable to work, and sends a message of solidarity and hope.
Maranyundo School Gardens Contributing To Families & Neighbors
We wanted to share an update on what life is like at the Maranyundo Girls School. This update came to us from Sister Ann Fox who had traveled to Rwanda in February, just prior to the Covid-19 lockdown, and until recently was at the school with Sister Laetitia.
COVID-19 Update – Girls Remain Home, E-Learning Implemented
As anticipated, the Government announced some easing of the strict lockdown measures, enabling some activities to resume while continuing to enforce Covid-19 preventive measures including hand hygiene, social distancing and wearing of masks in public. While some activities will be permitted to resume beginning Monday, May 4, it was announced that all schools will remain closed until September.
Meet Maranyundo Girls School’s New Head of School
Sister Laetitia Musanabaganwa took over the Head of School duties in January 2020, and wasted no time in meeting with the community and evaluating the school’s needs. Sister Laetitia has a long history in science and education and served as school counselor at MGS before becoming the Head of School
Maker Space In Action
It was wonderful to see the girls “step up” and explain the LEGO building and recyclable activities on the first floor. It was amazing to hear students like Leslie (S-4) and Sonya (S-5) explain and demonstrate the 3-D printer process. Other students explained the COSMO robotics, Makey Makey and other electronics.
Maranyundo Girls School takes First Place in National Science Competition
MGS recently won first place in the National Science Competition sponsored by the Rwandan Ministry of Education. The team of three students developed a project which created fuel blocks from dried leaves, clay and water.