Volunteers to boost education sector

Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO), a charity organisation, has sourced the services of more than 15 professionals from the US, Canada, Australia and several European countries to come to Rwanda and serve in the education sector for two years. The group will be dispatched to different districts across the country to work with Rwandan organisations and local government offices in boosting the country’s efforts to build a solid education sector. “It’s commendable to see a great number of people come to work in Rwanda. People can achieve so much working together through sharing of skills and experiences, across borders and cultures,” the organisation’s Country Director, Mike Silvey said. “In addition, overseas volunteering brings out a sense of real global citizenship and community, bringing in new experiences, skills, and learning for both the volunteers and communities,” While in the country the team is expected to train teachers at primary and lower secondary school levels, on the development of child-friendly teaching methodology and development of local available teaching resources as well as working with children living with disabilities. One of the Volunteers, April Lyons, an Australian audiologist to be stationed in HRD Muhanga, a centre dedicated to supporting young people with disabilities, said that she will be happy to share her experience with Rwanda’s children during her stay. “Audiology is a new profession here, and I am hoping that by working at HRD, we can together improve the understanding of children with hearing disabilities as well as support the development of this specific profession in Rwanda,” she said. VSO Programme Manager Ruth Mbabazi revealed that in addition to development of education sector two volunteers will work towards the development of national volunteering programmes. “We want to encourage Rwandan professionals to volunteer in different development initiatives, so as to gain experience while developing their country,” said Mbabazi.The team’s arrivals bring the total number of VSO volunteers in Rwanda to 50. Ends

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Volunteers to boost education sector