Tuesday, 2 December 2008

A place to sit and a place to sleep:

Star School needs desks and beds:

The star school opens again to a new batch of pupils and ever increasing numbers in the New Year of 2009. The school can provide education for up to 700 pupils many of whom are boarders and need a bed to sleep in and all of whom are in need of a desk to sit at for their lessons. Due to the increasing numbers of pupils expected in the New Year there is a shortage of beds and desks as well as many other items like bed linen and crockery and cutlery etc. A gift of £50 would buy a bunk bed or a double desk seat combo. Please consider giving to this vital project.

To download a printable one-off gift form (including gift-aid) click here

To download a printable regular giving form click here

To download a printable Gift-Aid form click here

Monday, 21 July 2008

An opportunity to work in the Star School!

Administrator Star School Rwanda:

Currently the Star School in Rwanda is seeking the services of an experienced administrator. The right person will firstly have a love for children and the administrative skills to support the staff in the new and rapidly developing school. It is hoped that the position will be for a minimum of six months and a maximum of two years, where the candidate would have the opportunity to train other indigenous staff. Candidates should have a 'live' Christian faith and be prepared to encourage staff and pupils in matters of their faith.

The candidate would need to raise the support required to live in Rwanda (in the region of £1000/month) as well as their air fares.

To find out more information about this and other opportunities please contact us on mail@mission-international.org

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Friday, 18 July 2008

"If you get good staff try your best to keep hold of them"!

Star School quality staff:
Mission International realises the need for quality teachers. Some once said "a good teacher is like gold dust" and we believe that to be true. Star School in Rwanda has already hired some of the highest quality teachers in Rwanda and needs to hold on to them at all costs if they are to fulfil their vision of being a school of excellence. The problem is this; teachers are only able to be paid when the school has income enough to pay them. A fledgling school like Star School is still finding its feet and so needs a source of finance which will allow them to retain the quality staff they have as the school grows to its full capacity.

Sponsor a teacher:
One way of achieving 'the impossible' is to sponsor a teacher. Mission International's Global Sponsor scheme allows for donors to sponsor an individual teacher thus affecting the lives of a whole class and arguably the whole school. read the brochure below for more information.

Click on the image to enlarge it.

Thursday, 17 July 2008

Get set - Go!

Pupils arrive and study starts:
The Star School in Rwanda must be the fastest growing development ever, well that's maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but it has developed from a field to an operational school in what seems like no time at all. Much of this 'speed' is due to the drive of Rev Nathan Amooti Rusengo, the director of the school and the brains behind the project.


A new school for a new era in Rwanda:
Mission International is committed to help this school get off to a good start, and to support what is intended to be a centre of excellence as it endeavours to bring in a new era to the nation recovering from is very difficult recent past. As ever funding is limited and the school is in need of resources to make it possible for the children to have the best learning experience that they can. Although the structure is sound and the design is excellent, there is still a need for desks, beds, library books and so on. All the things that a school anywhere in the world will need. Of course in this digital age computers make it close to the top of the list of needs too. Our desire is to raise support for this school and to give the kids there and the staff who teach them the best chance to achieve their goals.

Leaving behind the problems of the past:
Rwanda is now entering a new period in its development. The country has left behind the desperate times of '94 and is looking forward to a period of growth and development unprecedented in its history. Education will play a key part in the new age for Rwanda. Children in the past had few options open to them as they were sent to carry water and work in the fields or around the home. The better off may have managed to serve in a more wealthy house for their bed and board, but education? No education was not an option. Today Rev. Amooti is setting out a vision for the future by building a school of excellence. The Star School will make it possible for children, whose lives have no hope, to begin to think of a future where they and their dynasty can break free, and take hold of a life not locked in to the poverty trap that has controlled their parents and ancestors for generations.

How can you help?
If you would like to help Star School achieve its goals then you can send your support to the school via Mission International. The links that follow will take you to either a one off donation form or one for regular giving, gift aid is also an option.

To download a printable one-off gift form (including gift-aid) click here

To download a printable regular giving form click here

To download a printable Gift-Aid form click here



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Thursday, 5 June 2008

Progress to date has been swift:

From foundations to finishings in just a few months:

The Star school in Rwanda has been a dream in the heart of Rev Nathan Amooti Rusengo for many years. He has built and managed schools for others in the past but today he has begun to realise his own dream. That dream is a school designed to take needy children and develop them into world beaters. The Star school, as the name suggests is intended to make stars out of ordinary children whose potential has been locked up due to poverty but who have the makings of intelligent and significant leaders in their communities and in the country as a whole.

Here the builders get started once the first tranche of money is released for the building work. Work took place quickly and effectively.




Although only rudimentary tools are available and manpower takes precedence over machines the construction is well built and has a strong, quality finish.


A make-shift water storage area is used to store the high volumes of water required to mix cement and make concrete for the building work.


Strong secure doors and windows make sure the property is finished well and is not at risk of break in and damage.

A covered walkway makes it possible for staff and students to travel between classrooms in all weather conditions, this also gives shade to the classroom windows keeping the temperature in the classrooms lower.



Desk/bench combos are typical of the region and are very acceptable to students who can be required to sit on the floor in some school situations.

Well qualified and experienced teachers are often required to teach as many as 60 children in a class, Star School hopes to keep the class numbers low to make the teaching and learning more effective.

Behaviour in class is good since students are very keen to learn seeing their education as the main route out of poverty for themselves and their families.


If you would like to support the Star School in any way then please email us on Mail@mission-international and we will reply to you with a printable copy of the Bank Mandate and/or Gift Aid forms below.



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