Seeing the Bigger Picture: Climbing Kilimanjaro to support education in Rwanda
OK, so the task we have set ourselves as a family - climbing Kilimanjaro this Christmas - may not be so original. But we hope that you will overlook our lack of originality in the interests of the cause we are supporting.
The recent history of Rwanda may be the most hopeful and inspiring story in Africa. In 1994, a tenth of the population died in a genocide that the rest of the world did nothing to prevent or arrest. Contrast this to last year, when Rwanda became the first country in history to elect a national legislature in which a majority of members were women.
Living standards have risen but Rwanda is still desperately poor, with per capita GDP of less than $500 in 2008. However, better governance and - crucially - the steady spread of education among both boys and girls is offering the country's ten million people the hope of a brighter future.
There is still a great deal to do. According to the United Nations, 35% of Rwandans over 14 are illiterate. Among women and girls, the literacy rate is lower still.
Rwanda Aid: a strong local organisation
We know a charity that can really help. For two years now, William's company, Beazley, has supported Rwanda Aid, a charity that provides targeted, tangible support for some of the country's most needy and vulnerable people, particularly in the remote south western district of Cyangugu. Rwanda Aid has done terrific work in building homes and schools in Cyangugu, and in bringing healthcare and training to the local population.
We would like to raise £8,000 ($12,000) to make a major impact on children's education in Cyangugu. The Rwandan government is trying to make primary schooling freely available, but there are still many children who receive little or no schooling. Your contribution can make a huge difference - and David Chaplin and his team at Rwanda Aid will ensure it is well spent.
Specifically, we are looking to invest in books and equipment for Nyarusange primary school, where Rwanda Aid has just helped the local community build three new classrooms. Our goal is to achieve a turnaround comparable to that achieved at the primary school in Bweyeye. Before Rwanda Aid began to help, Bweyeye primary school had more than 80 children crammed into a single room with a leaky roof, no windows or doors; no desks, books, pencils or paper - just slates and chalk. Today, the school has new classrooms, desk, books and laptops. (To see the transformation, click through the pictures on the left.)
How to contribute
To give, just follow the directions on this website. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and secure - they’ll never sell or pass on donor details or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, Justgiving will send your money directly to the charity and, for UK givers, they will make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.
At present, I'm afraid we cannot arrange for gifts to Rwanda Aid to be tax deductible in the United States as the charity does not have a registered US office. But we very much hope that our American friends and colleagues will be willing to contribute nevertheless.
Updating you on our progress
We're committed to updating you in three ways - two serious, one less so. The less serious update will be on the Pitt family's tortuous progress up Kilimanjaro. We are taking the slowest possible route to minimise the risk of altitude sickness. Numerous seasoned climbers have warned us that altitude sickness can afflict the fittest people. This is good to know. Otherwise, the astonishing physical condition of the Pitt family might have led us to believe - hubristically - that we could yomp up Africa's highest mountain before breakfast.
William is employing his renowned technological expertise to explore ways of running a blog during the family's climb up Kilimanjaro. If this proves feasible, we will send you a link to the blog and you will be able to chart our progress, yard by agonizing yard. If not, we'll send you a snapshot of us at the summit when we get down.
The more important updates relate to the money you help us raise and to the uses to which Rwanda Aid is putting your money. The former you can track on this site. The latter we will tell you about (and show you the photographs) as soon as the books and the laptops are bought and delivered. We will post all of that information to this site, but if you would like an email report, please email Aline at a@alinesullivan.com and we will add you to our mailing list.
Last but not least ...
Thank you. Thank you so much for any contribution you can make. We are enormously grateful.
William, Aline, Katie & Daniel
