The link began thanks to the work of Mr Graeme Riddell, a geography teacher at The Henry Box School. Having travelled extensively in East Africa, and having visited Rwanda several times he began the Voices From Rwanda project in order to raise awareness about 1994's Genocide and life in Rwanda today in the Witney area. This led to a visit by sixth form students from Henry Box to Rwanda, and Muhura in 2003.
The creation of this site marks a new phase in the link. The relocation of two teachers from Oxfordshire to Muhura will hopefully facilitate greatly improved communication between the schools, and further exchanges of ideas and support.
The partnership has recently been recognised by the British Council as part of their Global School Iniative. The programme is a consortium initiative of the British Council, Cambridge Education Foundation, UK One World Linking Association (UKOWLA) and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), and is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). For more information on the scheme, follow the link on this site to DFID Global Schools Partnerships.
The DFID Global School Partnerships programme promotes school partnerships which:
Develop ‘global dimension’ education goals Emphasise equality-based relationships Embed the partnership in the curriculum Contribute to teachers’ professional development Focus on pupil learning in the partner school Work towards whole school involvement Engage and involve the wider community Have long term aims
Background to the link
Over the past twenty years every continent has experienced economic growth and improved quality of life whilst poverty has increased on the continent of Africa and the process of development has reversed. In May 2004, Tony Blair established the Commission for Africa in the hope of forcing the plagues of underdevelopment and insecurity in certain parts of Africa to the top of the political agenda . The Prime Minster further promised that the issues of economics and trade, conflict, health – particularly HIV/AIDS –, and education in Africa, will form the focus of Britain’s presidency of the G8.
Students at Henry Box School believe that reversing the processes of underdevelopment must start at grass roots level with the intervention of individuals. The key to this is education. Students in the UK must be educated about the challenges facing Africa today, and support for indigenous African education initiatives must take place.
In 2003 6 students and 2 teachers from Henry Box School travelled to Rwanda to establish a sustainable link with Muhura School and other youth and reconciliation organisations in Rwanda. The aims of this link (named ‘Voices from Rwanda’) were similar to that of the recent commission: To force to the top of the agenda and educate others, about the many challenges facing this small country in the Great lakes Region of Africa.
The aims of the ‘Voices From Rwanda’ link go beyond the Commission’s agenda. We also recognise that we have much to learn from our partners in Rwanda and that there is much to celebrate and promote about the continent.
April 7th 2004 was the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide in which 1 million people were murdered in 100 days. The Henry Box School was at the forefront of events in Oxfordshire to mark the occasion and educate the local community, using the testimonies and expertise gathered by our students on their first expedition to Rwanda in 2004.
The next phase of the ‘Voices From Rwanda’ Link is an ambitious one. It is hoped that the link will make significant strides in contributing to Rwanda’s development through support for our link school at Muhura. The students at Henry Box School have already set up a student sponsorship scheme to help some of the most underprivileged students who are unable to pay their school fees. Money has also been raised to establish an internet connection with the school. The most exciting development is the relocation of two highly qualified science teachers from the UK to teach at Muhura School. This exciting venture will ensure that students at Muhura receive an outstanding education and will provide opportunities to further train teachers at our link school.
It is hoped that the lives of students at Henry Box and the wider Oxfordshire community will also benefit, as curriculum developments and a second expedition in 2005 continue to sustain the link and educate us about Rwanda’s past and the great hope for the future.
