January 2012
My Rwandan Journey JUSTIN CARLSON
There are few places more critical to the future of Rwandan children than their classrooms. It is in the classroom that the hearts and minds of Rwandan young people are most consistently shaped and influenced. Perhaps this explains why many of the 300+ people in attendance at our recent Wellspring Ignite Gala were struck by a visible contrast in the quality of education between two seemingly similar rural classrooms, as portrayed in our new film, My Rwandan Journey.
Scan this QR code with your mobile device to watch our new film by Justin Carlson, My Rwandan Journey
PHOCAS Meet… Phocas Ngendahayo, Director of Operations As a Rwandan who was born in Burundi, grew up in DR Congo, I have lived in one of the most troubled regions on the planet. Although there are periodic seismic and volcanic calamities in this region at the heart of Africa, the most disastrous, tragic experiences in this place have been manmade. As I was reflecting on what could be done to improve the condition of our people, God’s people, it became obvious that an informed, transformed, mission minded new generation of leaders is needed. With God’s call and help I moved from my medical career as a Physiotherapist to invest myself in educational ministry where the mind and actions are shaped. I am delighted to partner with the Wellspring Foundation in striving to empower the next generation for my country’s development and God’s glory.
Sparks It always amazes me how it can take only a little spark to start a huge forest fire that can last for days, weeks, even months. Ideas are the same! If we can spark a creative thought or idea then its incredible the blaze of creativity and change than can be released. Teachers all over the world have demanding timetables and busy schedules. This leaves little time for sharing ideas and learning from one another. As a teacher I know the best skills and ideas I have used didn’t come from a book or a lecture but from colleagues teaching around me. Better or different approaches that challenged and inspired me to improve and be ever more creative. It was these ‘sparks’ that inspired and fuelled better teaching and learning in my classroom. So at Wellspring we endeavour to create a culture of sharing amongst our leaders, teachers and parents. We are continually encouraging individuals to learn from the strengths and ideas of others. As part of this we hosted a ‘Teaching Aid Fair’. We invited all our schools to come and share the different teaching aids they have been developing and using in their lessons since Wellspring’s workshop on ‘Teaching Aids’. It was a great success! Each school had a table on which to display a variety of their best teaching aids to show and share these with others. These schools were not only given the opportunity to display their hard work and creativity but they were also able to visit other school displays and learn from their best ideas. The sharing and learning proved to be a valuable and inspiring time together where teachers were motivated and encouraged with new and creative ideas to improve their lessons and engage their students more effectively. You could see and hear the ‘sparks’ all through the auditorium. On one of our school visits this week a Head Teacher was sharing an exciting Teaching Aid idea with all his staff that had inspired him during the Teaching Aid Fair. He was demonstrating and explaining how to use it with enthusiasm and passion. It is exciting to begin to see these creative ‘sparks’ spread like wild fire!
WELLSPRING
ACADEMY
Neil Entwistle, our interim Principal Our beloved Wellspring Academy Headmistress Mrs. Rosette Murigande has moved to Japan with her husband, Dr. Charles Murigande. Dr. Murigande was appointed as the Ambassador to Japan in May 2011. With the loss of Mrs. Murigande we were in need of a principal to help with our transition to secondary school. We are excited to have Neil on board for this time.
Here is a bit of Neil’s story: Neil grew up in Kenya as the son of missionary parents. He has worked in the U.S. for the past six or so years as an elementary school teacher and really enjoys working with children. Neil feels that God has placed The Wellspring Foundation across his path as a way to help him use his passions and abilities for God’s glory: “I am serving at The Wellspring Academy because I believe strongly in empowering locals to handle local issues. Their focus is on providing a solid Christ-like education, which is what I would like to be a part of. I desire to learn more about education in Africa. I hope and pray that I will build deep relationships with students, colleagues, and other community members. It will be great to be living back in Africa.”
“Not to be served but to serve” My name is Innes Ruhamya Innes Ruhamya is a student who has completed P6 (6th grade) and will be attending S1 (7th grade) during the 2012 school year. She is a fun, energetic, well-behaved student with a great voice who often leads the time of singing during the school’s weekly assemblies. Her testimony concerning the work that God did in her life since being at Wellspring is both touching and simple. I asked her to share it with you. May you be blessed as you read and try to imagine this sweet young woman’s life being changed by God’s tender mercy. —Neil Entwistle, Wellspring Academy Principal
Innes with some of the Wellspring Academy teachers. L to R: Teacher Justine, Innes, Teacher David, Teacher Alexander, and Teacher Alex.
My Testimony My name is Innes Ruhamya, and I live in Rwanda. This is all about how God helped me! I love Jesus for everything He has done for me, my school, and family. Before I came to Wellspring Academy, I was studying at Kigali Parents School. By then, my mum was a lecturer at KIST, and my dad was getting a PhD in cardiology in South Africa. At our school we used to focus on academics only, and I know in life we don’t need academics only but also other things that will help us in life. That’s what I found at Wellspring Academy, not only hard work and academics but also Christianity. I truly thank God for bringing me to a Christian school. At Wellspring I was not humble at first. Some teachers had some difficulties dealing with me. They would pray and worship God every morning; something I didn’t experience before. It really touched my heart and was special to me. So I decided to be a good behaving student like others. I promised to be a good girl and make teachers and parents happy with God’s help, and indeed it happened! So I thank teachers for every help they have given me by praying and advising me in any problem I got. I will never forget Wellspring Academy. I hope it will never change, only if it goes from better to best. Lastly, I will continue spreading the good news about Wellspring Academy and Jesus Christ. Thanks to God, teachers and parents and may God bless you. Love, Innes Ruhamya
wellspringacademy.org
Made in Rwanda Leadership Summit Wednesday, February 15th 2012 at the Kigali Serena Hotel
Keynote Speaker:
Bob Lawless
CEO & Chair of Opportunity International Canada Retired CEO & Chairman of McCormick & Company Inc. “Why Human Capital is the ONLY Capital”
More than 150 delegates from Canada and Rwanda, including international thought and business leaders, will gather in Kigali, Rwanda for the inaugural Made in Rwanda Leadership Summit. The Summit is an innovative think tank centered on the themes of leadership and the development of human capital organized by Opportunity International Canada and The Wellspring Foundation for Education. Opportunity Canada and Wellspring worked in cooperation with the Rwandan Development Board, Bridge2Rwanda, Private Sector Federation, RwandaCanada Chamber of Commerce, Urwego Opportunity Bank of Rwanda and Karisimbi Business Partners to make the event happen. All of these organizations are unified in the goal of the Summit, which is to develop and propose solutions to a wide range of pressing issues and challenges by empowering and engaging the talent of Rwandans while connecting them to businesses and organizations, locally and globally. The Summit will feature keynote speakers including Bob Lawless, current Opportunity International Canada Board Chair & CEO who spent over 10 years as the Chairman and CEO of McCormick & Company Inc, Arthur Karuletwa, Director of Geocertify at Starbucks Coffee Company, Carter Crockett from Karisimbi Business Partners and John Magnay, Agro Business Expert for Opportunity International.
Find out more about at www.madeinrwanda.ca
Arthur Karuletwa
Carter Crockett
John Magnay
On July 14-15th we will join 10,000+ other riders for a wonderful weekend of cycling together, capped by a Finish Line celebration, BBQ, and Pool Party. Once again we will be riding in memory of Wellspring supporter Benjamin Farrant and raising money to empower a new generation of Rwandan young people. In the past five years, at least seventy different riders have raised $150,000+ to help build classrooms and train teachers. Your riding has a powerful impact!
This world-renowned event sells out quickly Registration is open to the general public on February 7. Visit www.cascade.org for more information. We will be sending out a detailed email about joining Team Wellspring for this year’s Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic on Monday, February 6th, 2012.
Wellspring is a Christian development organization working with Rwandans to empower a new generation of leaders through an education that transforms lives. We believe education is a nation’s greatest resource, teachers are like gold to a nation, and that true empowerment requires far more than teaching people to fish. It means helping them gain the creativity, principles, and capability necessary to positively impact their own communities and adapt to a changing world.
www.thewellspringfoundation.com