Arnau Lopez Cabot - Rwanda School Build
Arnau Lopez is raising money for ActionAid
Story
First, an update from the previous Nepal Project....
So...yes! We made it! we managed to raise more than GBP 100k across all the team members that join the Action Aid team to fund the rebuild of Bani Bilas School in Nepal.
We went there to build the foundations of the School . Following the earthquakes, the process for gaining approval to build above ground level has become more thorough and takes longer, to make sure buildings do not suffer the same fate as they did in 2015.
Thanks to our hard work, 15 foundation trenches are in place, and played a vital role in getting the approval for the next stage.
Now the rest of the build is in progress, a construction company has been appointed, and they are ready to start work. The project is on track, and expected to complete over the Summer. And thanks to you!
I have to say that this has been a life-changing experience, not only for the people we were helping but also for me. Also, I have to confess that I loved working in construction for no money, that feeling could not be compared to any other past experience.
Happiness is about keep doing what makes you feel good right?
So, what have I got involved myself in this time?
Having met the fantastic Action Aid team, and the amazing people that contributed to the Nepal project, I have decided to join them this year as well to the Rwanda First Hand Experience!
The project consists in building a classroom block in Shingiro, a town close to Kigali, the main capital in Rwanda, to help children get the education that they need.
In the same way as the previous Nepal trip, we will be travelling to Kigali to work for a full week in construction tasks (layering bricks, shovelling, wheelbarrowing, pick-axing, etc.), while meeting the school teachers and local Action Aid teams that work in the field.
About Rwanda...
More than 20 years since the devastating 1994 genocide, which saw approximately 1 million people slaughtered, Rwanda has embraced a forward-thinking and positive attitude and is leading the way in Africa on several environmental and conservation issues. You will be surprised to know that in Rwanda it's illegal to produce, use or sell plastic bags!
Whilst the number of students increase each year, there is not enough space to accommodate them all causing classrooms to become overcrowded. This makes it very difficult for the children to concentrate and learn, leading to poor performance and dropouts, further exacerbating the cycle of poverty.
Through the justice and reconciliation system there has been massive progress in uniting and rebuilding the country since the conflict, however, 63% of people in Rwanda still live below the poverty line.
How much I have to raise?
The amount is similar to last year, GBP 3,200. I will be aiming at covering half of it with my company and fund-raise the rest via this website. I count on all of you!!!
What I am going to do to raise funds?
Well, there will be plenty of things!! I have still not worked out the full set of activities, but to start with:
1) 19- 28 January: Kiting trip in Kenya. I will be kitesurfing with a surprise costume...pictures to be shared!
2) 11 February: I am organising a Big Lunch in Barcelona "Calcotada Solidaria" with friends, consisting in eating a very typical catalan spring onion roasted on fire, that is then dipped into a yummy sauce! Pictures to be shared as well!
3) 10-20 August: Kitesurfing with costumes in brazil.
3) Richmond Runfest Half Marathon in September: After last year one, where I managed to get a 1h 36min mark, the main challenge is to get a better mark!
More to follow!