REAP’s student-centered approach to literacy development engages participants in hands-on learning to heighten critical thinking, social emotional competencies, and dynamic reading and writing connections across subject areas.
REAP’s Ineza Library is the largest community library in Rwamagana District and contains over 5,000 books in English and Kinyarwanda (Rwanda’s mother tongue). Our staff is trained in library management and literacy development. We host and train adult literacy clubs to increase knowledge and enhance education for adults who did not attend school. Children participate in such activities as read-alouds, digital technology for Kinyarwanda stories and community-wide literacy events. The Mobile Library Project extends the library services to the entire Musha community by providing primary school students in communities with an opportunity to engage in various Kinyarwanda literacy activities under guidance of trained Literacy Coaches. Literacy Coaches travel with bikes equipped with Kinyarwanda picture books to conduct read-alouds throughout the entire Musha community.
Opened in January 2020, INEZA Academy (Ineza means kindness in English) is our Early Childhood Education program that serves children from ages 3 to 6. We utilize a research-based model of early childhood education with a 20:2 students-to-teacher ratio. We emphasize play-based and child-centered learning,integrated with Rwanda’s national competence-based curriculum. In 2022, we opened our outdoor play area aligned with the designs principles of learning through play. All parents, whose children are in the early childhood program, participate in a parenting program developed by Save the Children, focusing on early bonding, postive discipline, nutrition and early literacy.
REAP is partnering with Groupe Scolaire Nyina wa Jambo Ruhita for graduates of INEZA Academy to attend a primary school of excellence and to enhance educational exchange between the two schools.
I.The Fran Bowman Multisensory Reading Program
The Ogstar Reading app, developed by Fran Bowman, Ed.D. and Stephanie Nislow, M.Ed in America, is a researched-based methodology for teaching reading based on the principles of Orton-Gillingham. Designed to help children to learn to read English at their own pace with minimum teacher support, this gamified, self-paced app uses an iPad and makes learning fun and engaging for children. The multisensory app focuses on the language skills of learning and organizing sounds and symbols and developing fluency. This innovative program targets selected third grade students. The English as a Second Language (ESL) program complements the Fran Bowman Multisensory Reading Program. The ESL program equips third grade students with the necessary English language skills to understand and effectively use the Ogstar app. Additionally, the ESL program extends to secondary students who practice the skills of reading,listening and speaking to better understand the curricular content in English in order to prepare and pass national exams.
II.Soma Umenye (Read and Understand Kinyarwanda)
Our Kinyarwanda REAP instructors, trained by USAID’s SOMA UMENYE Program, help struggling students in grades 1, 2 and 3 at the Duha Complex School in reading and writing Kinyarwanda. The goal is to support students to meet the learning outcomes expected for their particular grade.
III.Local Stories and Proverbs
REAP staff created the book How to Make a Brick that describes the traditional brick-making process in Kinyarwandan and English. The book represents REAP’s commitment to support the growth of local storytelling and indigenous literature. We collect indigenous folktales, proverbs and non-fiction stories from parents that recognize the rich oral tradition of Rwanda.
IV. Adult Literacy
The CLCL is the site of two Kinyarwanda weekly weekend classes led by expert reading and writing instructors, that help adult community members become proficient in reading, writing, and financial literacy. Increasingly, jobs in Rwanda require english language skills for employment. In response to this demand, REAP launched an English language training program for adult community members. The six-month training session runs twice per year, with 30 spots available each session. We provide intensive English language instruction that combines theory with group practice of conversational english.
a. Debate club develops students’ critical thinking, research, analytical and public speaking skills.
b. Musha Alumni Club helps high school graduates with technology and internet skills to research job opportunities as well as prepare job application.
REAP underwrites a lunch program for 34 Duha School Complex primary school teachers. These teachers, in spite of being on the bottom of the pay scale, have the longest day of work (7 A.M. to 5 P.M). Until three years ago, they went without lunch while at work. Our primary teacher lunch program not only provides teachers with a nutritious meal, but also boosts their morale, providing educators with the energy needed to withstand the rigors of a long teaching day.
A computer lab, replete with 12 laptops, 50 iPads and 14 tablets with Internet, is available for teachers and students. Students are trained in foundational computer skills and teachers in technology education in order to bolster their instructional practice. Students learn to research topics through our Library Server, organize information through the use of PowerPoint, and integrate knowledge across subjects. The 14 tablets from NABU (formerly Library For All) contain at least 150 children stories, in Kinyarwanda and English.
a. High school scholarships to enable children from impoverished families who pass the national exam to afford tuition in schools of excellence. This accesses more opportunities for children to further education and/or employment.
b. Saturday school for national exams to provide grade nine students in day schools an additional time to deepen their understanding of content material as well as learn test taking skills. Passing the national exams enables children to have the opportunity to attend schools of excellence.