Gallery

These pictures were taken in 2008 and shows that even though both adults and children were in severe need of the help we are trying to give them, they were still smiling and giving their all. Its that kind of mentality that makes our job not only easier, but it also worthwhile in a way I cant put into words. These people really do want to help themselves, and with a little input they will be able to not only do this, but also be able to sustain themselves, and their families in the future . This of course, is our ultimate and now reachable Goal.

It was a long hard struggle, but with the kind donations, and the determination of the locals, we got through stage one within two years. Seeing all our hard work coming to tuition was the best feeling, and was felt by all.

The hard work paid off, the main building finished, the invites sent and the grand opening was set!

And here we have a meeting taking place in the new community centre. These meetings will be about the next stage of the project, to buy farm animals, irrigate the dry land and plant crops. The future of the community will be discussed in here and the celebrations to bring in a new way of life, food, education, and eventually prosperity. The children know nothing about this, but you can see the admiration on their faces. The excitement they show for just having a classroom to be taught in, is overwhelming in it self.

None of which could of been achieved without the kind hearts of the sponsors, all the donations of money, equipment and labour and of course, the determination of the local people. Now we all move onto the next stage which will be a bigger challenge but like their new crops, will bear more fruit.

Just a few degrees south of the equator lies the Republic of Rwanda, bordered by Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, south, east and west. To say that Rwanda is a country rich in biodiversity would be somewhat of an understatement. Three national parks play host to an abundance of lush and vibrant flora and fauna, many of which are unique to this country. Home to an estimated third of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population, golden monkeys and five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountain Range, the Volcanoes National Park lies in the northwest of the country and is covered in dense rainforest’s and bamboo.

Head east and you’ll descend to the flatter savannah plains of the Akagera National Park where game populations include antelope, buffalo, elephant, zebra and giraffe as well as hippo and crocodile in and around its lakes. Nyungwe National Park meanwhile in the southwest of the country plays host to 13 species of primate including the common chimpanzee, olive baboon and silver and golden monkey as well as 275 of the country’s 700+ species of bird in addition to butterflies, orchids and begonias. Situated in the Albertine Rift, Lake Kivu is the largest of Rwanda’s lakes and affords magnificent views from its shoreline.

With such dramatic and spectacular scenery, Rwanda offers beautiful hiking opportunities, from climbing the Visoke, Muhavura or Gahinga Volcanoes, walking in the foothills and around the lakes or simply strolling in the villages near the lodges.