A local association of people infected with HIV/Aids and those badly affected by the pandemic has received an English language centre, courtesy of a US-based charity.

Word Brook Center spent Frw18.9m on the school and its facilities for Girimpuhwe Association. The centre started operating in January and hired four trained teachers.

Several members of the association are already undertaking English lessons, conducted by American and Rwandan teachers.

Members also use part of the building to carry out their income-generating activities.

Girimpuhwe Association, whose members are aged between 10-68 years, is based in Kabuga, a suburb on the outskirts of Kigali City along Kigali-Kayonza highway.

Word Brook Center director Dr. Glenn Hawkes said their action was motivated by the fact that Rwandans, being part of the English-speaking East African Community (EAC), need to have English skills to ease their communication with the rest of the community members.

"The idea is to help members of Girimpuhwe to compete with their counterparts in the region," he said.

Pastor John Munyakazi, the head of Girimpuhwe, said the association members were involved in various income-generating activities such as sewing, making pins, agriculture and raring animals.

He told The New Times that the Word Brook Center "previously, we were just renting a small three-roomed house which was having a toll on our programmes, but thanks to Word Brook Center, we now have what I can call our own home."

Anna Houston and Sophia Senning, two American ladies, who are part of the teaching staff hailed the programme.

Among the students include both the aged and the young, with the oldest aged 68 years.

The course, which started in January lasts for three months, and is conducted three times a week. An evaluation will be conducted before the students graduate.

Girayimpuhwe started in 2000 as an association to help curb the spread of HIV/Aids in the surrounding communities. The association has 212 members.

Word Brook Center also covers tuition for ten pupils and eight students in ordinary primary and secondary schools.

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