Friday, July 1, 2011
Time for a Lightning Rod
Two more people were killed by lightning. The week before a worker at the orphanage we use to work at was killed when an avocado tree was struck as he stood underneath it. He leaves a family behind. Uganda has had 35 deaths in the last round of storms. It is suppose to be the dry season! I have decided it may be smart to get a lightning rod and mount it on our house.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Kids Play International
Tracy Evans, 3 time Olympian, started a non profit called Kids Play International. We met Tracy three years ago at an orphanage in Rwanda. This past week we hosted her team of eight people for a couple of weeks. She had a couple more Olympians with her (Cameron, a 4 time Olympian on the luge and Chanda, a bronze medalist in woman's hockey)...she also had Kara who makes documentaries...Well anyway, it was cool team that came to introduce sports to kids in our neighborhood. Tracy even set up an after school sports program that started last week! All in all, it was a great two weeks.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Goat Brochettes
Tonight we took the girls to the road side bus stop that serves fresh goat brochettes every 10 minutes. At first Cortney, Lesa and Bridget were a little scared that the meat would be "gamey" tasting. But after their first bite they realized it was delicious! Goat is one meat that many Rwandans enjoy eating. It is cheap at 3 brochettes for $1. They put a tasty seasoning on the meat that makes it actually taste like beef.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Remembering the Genocide
Today we attended the last day of a seven day Genocide Memorial. For seven days the country mourned the past and looked to the future with great hope. A few hundred people gathered in our local area called a "cell". We first met around the graves of a wealthy family killed in the 1994 Genocide. Family members and community members put flowers on their graves as prayers were said. We then walked to a nearby area next to the families' house. For the next 3.5 hours we heard stories from survivors. We heard of widows whose husbands and children were murdered while they watched. We heard from a community leader who spoke of the family whose land we were meeting. How the son of this family fought to save his family but was overwhelmed and killed himself. What we heard over and over again was that forgiveness was key. One widow said she was "free" to live because she had forgiven. Jesus was her husband now. She prayed that those who have killed would come clean and ask for forgiveness so the too could live "free". My emotions were raw today. I imagine it will take some time to reflect on everything that I experienced today. As I sat and listened to Emmy translate for us, I was again so grateful for Jesus and his grace. Certainly Jesus grace was sufficient!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Updated Business Plan
Project Overview
• “City of Joy” will be a comprehensive Christian community of services and experiences offered to all ages.
• City of Joy will be located in the Village of Bikire, Ngwa Cell, Mukingo Sector, Nyanza District, South Province, Rwanda.
• The first phase will be the primary school-Joy Christian School (JCS).
City of Joy
Vision:
A Christ-centered community of loving God and loving others.
Mission:
City of Joy, a faith- inspired organization, empowering people with Christian passion. Through formal and informal programs and experiences, City of Joy will achieve its core value of creating a community of grace.
Value:
To create a community of grace where the love of God is manifested in the love of neighbor through faith development, intellectual formation and community services (concern for the poor and marginalized).
Joy Christian School
Vision:
To form Christ-like, intellectually competent and socially responsible leaders of tomorrow.
Mission:
Joy Christian School, a faith inspired-organization, aims at empowering people with Christian passion, intellectual competency and strong social concern. Through formal and informal education, and economic empowering programs, Joy Christian School will achieve its core value of creating a community of grace.
Value:
To create a community of grace where the love of God is manifested in the love of neighbor through faith development, competent intellectual formation and community services (concern for the poor and marginalized)
Why Joy Christian School (JCS)?
1. Christian Values
-Loving God and loving others is the basis of the Christian faith and this
can change the world by challenging our students to exemplify Jesus’ life.
2. Education system (recent change from French to English):
-Need for Strong and affordable English medium school. Currently, majority of poor and middle class Rwandans cannot afford quality education because of high charges by private schools.
-Due to shortage of good English Medium schools, many parents send their children to neighboring countries, Uganda and Kenya.
3. Social Economic Realities:
-Great need for economic empowerment of rural and poor urban communities (people who cannot afford quality education for their children).
-Great need for socio-spiritual accompaniment due to the effects of the 1994 genocide.
Critical Factors/Hopes and Challenges
• Strengths
– Founders’ international experience and English as their first language.
– Co-founder is an experienced teacher.
– Have initial capital to buy land
– Dependable collaborators and supporters (churches and charities)
– Strong Local and international network
• Weakness
– Both founders are not of Rwandese origin.
– Dependence on donors and well wishers to fund the project.
– Brand equity (new in the market).
• Opportuninities
– Stable political atmosphere.
– Accordance with recent changes in academic shift from French to English medium of learning.
– No strong competition.
– High demand.
– Low living and operation costs.
– Many people from USA willing to volunteer as teachers and Staff.
• Challenges
– How to secure students who can contribute financially.
– Enough source of Funds.
– Competitors can copy our strategy.
Concept of JCS Beneficiaries
u 472,000 children in Muhanga and Nyanza*
u 25% (118, 125) of children are from upper middle class families which can afford tuition and boarding fees.
u35% (165, 200) are children of civil servants, small business holders, and farmers who can afford tuition fee and a certain percent of accommodation charges. These will need partial scholarships.
u40% (188,800) are rural and poor urban residents; and orphans. Although they cannot afford private education, they can contribute to tuition fees through part-time jobs at JCS.
* Our estimates of the population of Muhanga and Nyanza, our target areas, is approximately 1.5 million. We assume that pre-school and school going children make up to 30% of the population
Joy Christian School’s Service Plan
Plan 1
• Upper Middle Class
– Will pay full tuition fees.
– Will pay up to 80% accommodation and transportation fees.
• Plan 2.
• Middle Class
– Will pay 75% of tuition fees
– Will have the options to either pay up to 80% accommodation cost or to be day scholars and pay 50% of daily transport organized by Joy.
Plan 3
• Rural and Urban poor
– Highly subsidized tuition and accommodation fees.
– Parent will offer contribution in the form of labor—each parent will do work at JCS once a week and the payment will go into tuition fees.
– Rural farmers will be given the opportunity to sell their produce (food stuff and animal to JCS at a competitive price) and pay certain percentage to JCS for tuition and accommodation fees.
– They will be a priority for accommodation at school since they have no electricity and other amenities that support learning at home.
• Plan 4
– Community service through informal education whereby JCS will engage rural and urban parents in income generating activities that will enable them to contribute toward education of their children at JCS.
Financial Forecasts-JCS
Summary of Financial forecasts
• Average tuition fee per child per year (year 1 to 6) $200.
• Average salary per month $400 per person ($4,800/year/person).
• Cost of Construction of one classroom is $12,065. Total construction cost (20 rooms by year 7) will be $241,300.
• Teacher student ration is 1:20.
• Aggressive fundraising of up to $560,000 by year 7.
• Optimal use of facilities to generate income of $39,000 by the end year 7.
• Beginning of year 8 capital expenditure will decrease; less construction of classrooms and offices.
• Services revenue will increase beginning of year 8; wedding, conference, summer camping, sports, etc charges.
Future Projects
• Community Church – weekly services, daily chapel time for students.
• Community Medical Clinic –serve the school and neighborhood.
• Community Center.
– Public Library.
– Recreation Center with swimming pool, weight room, gymnasium, practice fields.
• Fully accredited University.
• Housing for staff.
• Dormitories for children primary and secondary schools.
• Vocational training center – English classes, sewing, agriculture, carpentry…
• Conference Center- host weddings and events- income generator.
• Missionary Training Center.
– Help train those called to be missionaries all around the world.
Action Plan
Benefits to the Community
• Economic Impact- create over 100 jobs in first three years.
• Resources – many of the facilities will be open to the community to use.
– Public Library, Recreation Center with swimming pool, weight room, gymnasium, practice fields.
• Increase property values.
• Attract many new business and families to relocate.
• Vocational training center – sewing, agriculture, carpentry…
• Conference Center.
• Missionary Training Center.
– Help train those called to be missionaries all around the world.
• Teaching English to the adults-starting Jan. 2012.
Project Overview
• “City of Joy” will be a comprehensive Christian community of services and experiences offered to all ages.
• City of Joy will be located in the Village of Bikire, Ngwa Cell, Mukingo Sector, Nyanza District, South Province, Rwanda.
• The first phase will be the primary school-Joy Christian School (JCS).
City of Joy
Vision:
A Christ-centered community of loving God and loving others.
Mission:
City of Joy, a faith- inspired organization, empowering people with Christian passion. Through formal and informal programs and experiences, City of Joy will achieve its core value of creating a community of grace.
Value:
To create a community of grace where the love of God is manifested in the love of neighbor through faith development, intellectual formation and community services (concern for the poor and marginalized).
Joy Christian School
Vision:
To form Christ-like, intellectually competent and socially responsible leaders of tomorrow.
Mission:
Joy Christian School, a faith inspired-organization, aims at empowering people with Christian passion, intellectual competency and strong social concern. Through formal and informal education, and economic empowering programs, Joy Christian School will achieve its core value of creating a community of grace.
Value:
To create a community of grace where the love of God is manifested in the love of neighbor through faith development, competent intellectual formation and community services (concern for the poor and marginalized)
Why Joy Christian School (JCS)?
1. Christian Values
-Loving God and loving others is the basis of the Christian faith and this
can change the world by challenging our students to exemplify Jesus’ life.
2. Education system (recent change from French to English):
-Need for Strong and affordable English medium school. Currently, majority of poor and middle class Rwandans cannot afford quality education because of high charges by private schools.
-Due to shortage of good English Medium schools, many parents send their children to neighboring countries, Uganda and Kenya.
3. Social Economic Realities:
-Great need for economic empowerment of rural and poor urban communities (people who cannot afford quality education for their children).
-Great need for socio-spiritual accompaniment due to the effects of the 1994 genocide.
Critical Factors/Hopes and Challenges
• Strengths
– Founders’ international experience and English as their first language.
– Co-founder is an experienced teacher.
– Have initial capital to buy land
– Dependable collaborators and supporters (churches and charities)
– Strong Local and international network
• Weakness
– Both founders are not of Rwandese origin.
– Dependence on donors and well wishers to fund the project.
– Brand equity (new in the market).
• Opportuninities
– Stable political atmosphere.
– Accordance with recent changes in academic shift from French to English medium of learning.
– No strong competition.
– High demand.
– Low living and operation costs.
– Many people from USA willing to volunteer as teachers and Staff.
• Challenges
– How to secure students who can contribute financially.
– Enough source of Funds.
– Competitors can copy our strategy.
Concept of JCS Beneficiaries
u 472,000 children in Muhanga and Nyanza*
u 25% (118, 125) of children are from upper middle class families which can afford tuition and boarding fees.
u35% (165, 200) are children of civil servants, small business holders, and farmers who can afford tuition fee and a certain percent of accommodation charges. These will need partial scholarships.
u40% (188,800) are rural and poor urban residents; and orphans. Although they cannot afford private education, they can contribute to tuition fees through part-time jobs at JCS.
* Our estimates of the population of Muhanga and Nyanza, our target areas, is approximately 1.5 million. We assume that pre-school and school going children make up to 30% of the population
Joy Christian School’s Service Plan
Plan 1
• Upper Middle Class
– Will pay full tuition fees.
– Will pay up to 80% accommodation and transportation fees.
• Plan 2.
• Middle Class
– Will pay 75% of tuition fees
– Will have the options to either pay up to 80% accommodation cost or to be day scholars and pay 50% of daily transport organized by Joy.
Plan 3
• Rural and Urban poor
– Highly subsidized tuition and accommodation fees.
– Parent will offer contribution in the form of labor—each parent will do work at JCS once a week and the payment will go into tuition fees.
– Rural farmers will be given the opportunity to sell their produce (food stuff and animal to JCS at a competitive price) and pay certain percentage to JCS for tuition and accommodation fees.
– They will be a priority for accommodation at school since they have no electricity and other amenities that support learning at home.
• Plan 4
– Community service through informal education whereby JCS will engage rural and urban parents in income generating activities that will enable them to contribute toward education of their children at JCS.
Financial Forecasts-JCS
Summary of Financial forecasts
• Average tuition fee per child per year (year 1 to 6) $200.
• Average salary per month $400 per person ($4,800/year/person).
• Cost of Construction of one classroom is $12,065. Total construction cost (20 rooms by year 7) will be $241,300.
• Teacher student ration is 1:20.
• Aggressive fundraising of up to $560,000 by year 7.
• Optimal use of facilities to generate income of $39,000 by the end year 7.
• Beginning of year 8 capital expenditure will decrease; less construction of classrooms and offices.
• Services revenue will increase beginning of year 8; wedding, conference, summer camping, sports, etc charges.
Future Projects
• Community Church – weekly services, daily chapel time for students.
• Community Medical Clinic –serve the school and neighborhood.
• Community Center.
– Public Library.
– Recreation Center with swimming pool, weight room, gymnasium, practice fields.
• Fully accredited University.
• Housing for staff.
• Dormitories for children primary and secondary schools.
• Vocational training center – English classes, sewing, agriculture, carpentry…
• Conference Center- host weddings and events- income generator.
• Missionary Training Center.
– Help train those called to be missionaries all around the world.
Action Plan
Benefits to the Community
• Economic Impact- create over 100 jobs in first three years.
• Resources – many of the facilities will be open to the community to use.
– Public Library, Recreation Center with swimming pool, weight room, gymnasium, practice fields.
• Increase property values.
• Attract many new business and families to relocate.
• Vocational training center – sewing, agriculture, carpentry…
• Conference Center.
• Missionary Training Center.
– Help train those called to be missionaries all around the world.
• Teaching English to the adults-starting Jan. 2012.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Sewing Group Continues to Learn
A group of 16 young women are two months into a 12 month internship to learn how to sew. Our neighbor Mediatrice is teaching the course. Mediatrice has taught sewing for seven years at Kabgayi and does an excellent job. The women come everyday 8am-1pm to our house and learn the basics of sewing. We built a sewing room where there is plenty of room and it is well lit. We recently found out that all but 3 women do not have health insurance. Through a donation we are able to offer six months of insurance to all 13 women and 3 of their babies. We hope to have projects for them to make some money for the start of an association. One project that they are working on is to make uniforms for children who cannot afford them. These uniforms will be given to needy children for free.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Land Cruiser Gets An Overhaul
We finally made the decision that our engine needed the over haul this week. We have knew that sooner or later we would have to "bite the bullet" and sink some serious money into the Land Cruiser. So on Monday I drove it into Gitarama and dropped it off at Kabgayi Garage where Juvenal will rip apart the entire engine and evaluate what needs to be replaced. It is funny that the same feelings of being taken advantage of happen here as well in the U.S. when it comes to mechanics. I have assigned Emmy, our business manager, the task of making sure that we don't pay for anything unnecessarily but I know that there is no guarantee that this won't happen. Juvenal was gracious enough to loan me his Honda motorcycle while he works on our vehicle. We live 45 minutes away from the garage so it is nice to have.
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