CURRENT PROJECTS
Textbook Project
Roz Carr Cultural Center
Transition to Independent Living
Gucutsa Program
One of our most exciting projects is the purchase of new textbooks for the local Kinyundo School, which our primary school children attend. Our goal is to provide textbooks for every child. Previously, there was one textbook per class — for the teacher only! To date, we have been able to purchase textbooks in English, French and Social Studies for every child. Our next goal is to purchase textbooks in Math and Science.
Fifty-four of our children attend this school, which has a total enrollment of 2,085 local children. As such, this project will not only benefit our own children but the children of the local community as a whole. Eventually, we hope to purchase various learning aids, such as microscopes, maps, models of the circulatory, muscular and skeletal systems, etc.
On June 19, 2009, a dedication ceremony was held for the Roz Carr Cultural Center. This building was the original Imbabazi facility and has been renovated to include a museum, a retrospective of Roz Carr’s life, a computer and multi-media center, a music room and library. The ceremony was attended by local dignitaries, members of the military, Imbabazi staff, board members, the children, and visiting guests. A tour of the facility was followed by a luncheon in Roz’s garden.
Computer classes and music lessons have begun - for both our children and residents of the community.
Our children are growing up, and as they get ready to leave the nest we are taking steps to prepare them for independent living. Our focus in the coming years is to introduce independent living skills to those who have completed secondary school and/or vocational training by helping them find group housing, providing the tools necessary to pursue their trades (carpentry, mechanics, etc.), assisting with household budgets, mentoring, and conducting follow-up visits to guide them as they find their way in the adult world. Zachary and Angelique supervise these efforts to ensure that our children are successful in making the transition from the Imbabazi to independent life.
Funds allocated to Gucutsa are used to purchase tools to practice chosen trades and to provide rent and living expenses on an interim basis. Students live outside the Imbabazi, either in a group home or with a family. Good jobs have been found in the local community where our young men and women are experiencing their first taste of independence and the pride of personal achievement. They have come to appreciate how hard they must work to support themselves. Budgeting, shopping, cooking, and housekeeping are some of the life skills they are learning.
The Gucutsa program is showing early signs of success. Four of our older boys have completed their vocational internships and are now living completely on their own. Seven additional boys and girls are close to becoming self-sufficient. Participants in the program return to the Imbabazi periodically to share their experiences with the younger children and offer encouragement and advice. It is the Board’s first priority to prepare the children to become responsible citizens and independent adults. As more of our young adults complete their education, the Gucutsa program will be key to the success of the Imbabazi family.
Gucutsa Program
Gucutsa is the Rwandan word for “independence” and is the name of our program to transition our older kids to independent living. We have rented a house in Gisenyi for six boys enrolled in vocational training and internships. Three are taining in mechanics, one in carpentry, and one is in the military. The sixth boy has completed secondary school and is learning computer skills while he awaits the national examination to qualify for university. The Imbabazi will provide rent and a food allowance while they do their internships and transition to self-sufficiency. All the boys take turns doing household chores, such as cooking, cleaning and laundry.
From left to right: Jean Paul, Aimable and Imanizabayo; Ndungutse on top.
Two of our girls are participating in the Gucutsa program and have been placed with Rwandan families in Gisenyi. Both girls have finished secondary school and are enrolled in computer classes while they await the national examination to qualify for university.
For those who are enrolled in computer training, the Imbabazi will help them find jobs in town while they await the national examination. Once they pass the national exam, they will enter the National University of Rwanda in Butare.
Government funds have been used to build a community medical clinic adjacent to the Imbabazi property. The clinic will be professionally staffed and will provide medical services to the local residents, including our children. Thus, we will be closing the Imbabazi clinic and donating our medical supplies and equipment to the community clinic. Unfortunately, it has not been able to open due to a lack of funds to build the necessary latrines. The Imbabazi Board, in keeping with our community outreach initiatives, has allocated funds from our budget to build the latrines so the clinic can open and service the community.
Replace the following under “Future Projects.”
Mugongo has always been a working farm. The commercial flower business will remain in operation and we are exploring ways to responsibly develop other resources to make the farm more self-sufficient.
Under the direction of new Executive Director Jeff Ramsey, we plan to increase our herd of dairy cows to develop a mid-size state-of-the-art dairy. We are expanding our potato and vegetable growing program, not only for orphanage use but for commercial sales as well. In addition, we plan to manage the eucalyptus grove on the Imbabazi property by harvesting mature trees, selling lumber, and planting new trees.
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