What’s new with Grace Rwanda? Read our Fall/Winter 2013 Newsletter

GR Newsletter PicAs the year draws to a close, Grace Rwanda is looking back at what we’ve accomplished this year with your help.

We’re grateful for the progress we have made this year bringing literacy to Rwanda’s youth.

And we’re looking forward to making an even greater difference in 2014. Have a read of our latest Fall/Winter Newsletter to catch up with everything we’ve been up to.

We try hard to keep our supporters in the loop. Want to learn more?

You can get regular updates by following @GraceRwanda, liking us on Facebook, adding us in your Google+ circle, watching our videos on YouTube.

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Volunteer and help Grace Rwanda grow

VolunteerGrace Rwanda is growing — and we need help to thrive!

We’ve got big plans and some big projects coming up to improve literacy in Rwanda. We know many hands make light work.

So we’re looking for volunteers to help us get the word out, to assist with community events, and to support us in reaching our fundraising goals. No heavy time commitments, no mandatory meetings, just fulfilling community work alongside people passionate about social change. Come be a part of our dream and change children’s lives.

We’re looking for volunteers in the following areas:

Students and community members: Fulfill your volunteer service school credit requirements while helping out a good cause, or just give back to your community. We’re currently looking for people to help staff our charity sale table at the St. Thomas Aquinas Christmas Craft Fair on Nov. 3. We’re also looking for volunteers to put in a few hours staffing our Christmas Tree Sale in Langley, which launches Dec. 4. and runs through the month.

Teachers and educators: Work with us to get your class involved in our Toonies4Change.org school partnership projects.

Church members: Arrange to invite us to speak about Grace Rwanda and raise awareness and funds for our work at your next church social.

Rotary club members: Introduce us to your chapter, adopt us as your international project, and help us form partnerships to bring books to Rwanda’s youth.

Special skills: If you have expertise to offer in fundraising strategy, graphic design, or another speciality area that you believe could help Grace Rwanda’s administration, please do let us know.

Contact info@gracerwanda.org and let us know what you’ve got to give back!

Stay in the loop with us by following @GraceRwanda, liking us on Facebook, adding us in your Google+ circle, watching our videos on YouTube.

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Shop for Social Change with Grace Rwanda

Rwandan Basket

Shop for social change! Skip the malls this season: Grace Rwanda has unique African crafts that can help change a child’s life. Every $2 we raise will go toward giving a Rwandan school child the life-changing gift of a book.

Mark your calendars: on Sunday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. we will be selling handcrafted Rwandan and African goods at the amazing 27th Annual St. Thomas Aquinas Christmas Craft Fair!

There are dozens of  artisans and exhibitors at the fair every year. You’ll be sure to find something for everyone on your holiday gift list. Please drop by and visit us at the fair at 541 West Keith Road in North Vancouver. It’s a great community event and we’d be delighted to see you there. Admission is only $2 and parking is free.

Learn more online at Aquinas Christmas Craft Fair

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Grace Rwanda is in the news

GR News Screenshot

Grace Rwanda’s grand opening of the Muhanga Youth Centre Library was covered by a Rwandan local news program. Click the image above to watch the clip.

The official grand opening was Sept. 2, 2013. The community appreciated the new books, dictionaries, magazines and journals, tables and chairs and book shelves we provided. The youth who use the facility to do their homework now have some excellent reading resources. This piece gives a great overview of the work we are doing there to bring books and literacy to youth. Plus, watch the wonderful dancers at the opening ceremonies!

Our youth centre library was so successful that a Rwandan government ministry asked to partner with us to create 20 more such libraries in YEGO youth centres across the country.

Elizabeth was much in demand by the local Rwandan media during her trip. In addition to the news broadcast, reporters from area newspapers came to interview her at the library launch.

If you are curious about our coverage in Kinyarwandan, have a look at these articles published in Umuseke and  Izuba Rirashe.

Want to see more of Grace Rwanda in action? Check new photos of the Muhanga project on our Flickr site.

We’re thrilled to be launching the next phase of our “Let’s Read Together” mini-libraries program this fall. Stay tuned for news about upcoming fundraisers and events to support our exciting new initiative. Learn more at Toonies4Change.org.

Stay in the loop with us by following @GraceRwanda, liking us on Facebook, adding us in your Google+ circle, watching our videos on YouTube.

 Thanks again for all your support!
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We’ve Built Another Mini-Library in Rwanda

 

Muhanga Youth Centre Library

This summer, the Grace Rwanda team set out to Muhanga, a rural district of 350,000 residents southeast of Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.

We have been working with education officials there on an ambitious new plan. Over the next few years we are commiting to putting a mini-library in every school in the district: about 104 elementary schools and 42 secondary schools.

We want to get a book into the hands of each of Muhanga’s 87,000 students. We plan to start by fundraising to put mini-libraries in all Grades 1 to 3 classrooms, serving more than 43,500 students.

Our goal in Rwanda this summer was to get more students reading immediately. So, to kick off our Muhanga schools campaign, Grace Rwanda created and stocked a new mini-library in a community centre in Nyamabuye, called the Muhanga Youth Friendly Centre.

Youth and students from the area, about 30-50 each day, were using the facility to study and do their homework. Now, with the help of a $6,000 new mini-library, complete with new bookshelves, stacks of new books, dictionaries and periodicals, plus new tables and chairs, they have access to more books and resources to help them succeed.

The District Vice Mayor was on hand to open the new library facility and the community is very excited to move forward with Grace Rwanda on upcoming school library projects.

Check out more fantastic photos of the Muhanga project on our Flickr site.

We’re thrilled to be launching the next phase of our “Let’s Read Together” mini-libraries program this fall. Stay tuned for news about upcoming fundraisers and events to support our exciting new initiative.

Stay in the loop with us by following @GraceRwanda, liking us on Facebook, and visiting Toonies4Change.org.

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Join Grace Rwanda at the Langley International Festival

Grace Rwanda is excited to be a part of this year’s Langley International Festival! The event is being held in Willoughby Community Park by the Langley Events Centre on Saturday August 24 and Sunday August 25, 2013, starting at 10 a.m. both days.

The festival features diverse performances from around the world. Expect to hear music and see dance from Sudan, Peru, Vietnam, Russia, Egypt and Argentina. Taste some of the authentic ethnic cuisines, and experience the culture of more than a dozen countries with pavilions on site, from Guyana and Jamaica to Fiji and India.  Plus, there’s a Kid’s Zone with children’s games and activities. And don’t miss the parade of nations Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $2 a person.

Come drop by Grace Rwanda’s booth to meet the team, celebrate the diversity of our community, learn more about our new school literacy initiative in Muhanga District, and check out our unique Rwandan crafts!

Learn more at the Langley International Festival web site.

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