Edu | ma | cation

The RAs have spent many evenings on the porch of our house discussing the various programs and policies in place here in Rwanda. We often come back to education since we have been tasked with the job of being an educational resource for the children in FVA’s program. For the children in school we are a tutoring/supplementary resource – which is quite enjoyable for us because these kids are in school and some of them so smart they are an inspiration to work with. On the other hand, there are some children that we are, literally, the first line of defense in their educational attainment. This is for various reasons such as 1) their parents cannot afford to send them to school; 2) they are preschool age and preschools here are mostly private which is very expensive for locals ($40/term); or 3) FVA has yet to be able to secure a sponsor for their school. Often we are working with youngsters who need the most basic of lessons (123s and ABCs). To the outside viewer you might say “But Nicole/Kaitlyn, the ABCs must be so easy to teach!” Remember – these are children who have NEVER been in an educational setting. They have never had to sit still and listen to a teacher. Also – many of them have illiterate parents, so the hope of giving them lessons that they can practice outside the classroom is minimal.

So, it brings us back to policy. RA1 has had a general distaste in her mouth for the American educational system (inflated college tuition, no child left behind, etcetera) but it took coming to Rwanda to realize that although our system is lacking – it is beneficial in so many ways. In America you learn to learn from a very early age. Costs are – for the most part – minimal for a public school education. Going to school is a requirement, not a privilege (perhaps we can move this progressive view of education over to healthcare……but that’s another blog update entirely) and there are legal repercussions for the PARENTS who don’t ensure their children are in school.

Perhaps America doesn’t have it all right, but being in a country like Rwanda where the spirit of the people is indomitable but so many areas need so much work, makes me appreciate America. It has also reinforced the fact that, to me, education is the way out. Education is the tool for a civilized society, an economically advanced society and a place where democracy is unavoidable. Smart people don’t stand for bad policies or corrupt politicians. Illiterate and uneducated people have no capital to fight back with.