First Books Photos- Kigali

Macmillan Publishing Ltd UK has a branch in Rwanda-Kigali. RSVP paid Macmillan UK by cheque (£505.50 for 166 books).

This photograph shows one of their dedicated employees at the ready just before books collection.

Macmillan has license to print a number of books used in primary and secondary schools. However, after the closure of a public school publishing company, there are still books that are not available at the market.

In order to invest 100% of donations on the ground (with the exception of unavoidable costs such as money transfer fees), RSVP relies on highly motivated team of volunteers both in UK and Rwanda.

This photograph shows RSVP volunteer ready to repackage books into one big carton in order to ease transport from Kigali- the capital city of Rwanda- to Bugarama village (about 8-10 hours by car).

Long journey? Yes. Indeed one prospective RSVP donor recently asked why, being a small country, it takes that long to drive from Kigali to the South-East.

The explanation is that roads are, in contrast to roads known by this prospective donor, very smaller (single lanes); and since Rwanda is a mountainous country, roads tend to follow rather lengthy contours around mountains. No subways yet!!!

Like in UK, RSVP volunteers in Rwanda have other jobs and use their own personal cash to funds services they offer to undertake, expecting NO refunds.

This is because they consider the expenses incurred as a loving gift freely donated to RSVP’s target population.

So, they work joyfully expecting no rewards whatsoever; and most regular volunteer sign the voluntary policy.

On this photograph, a Christian lady volunteered to collect books from Macmillan on her lunch break. She is now repackaging books into one big carton in order to ease transport. Transporting them in one carton is much more secure (less likely to get lost) and may cost less.

This box is almost full! I wonder whether this volunteer will lift it up alone! Oh dear!

It's easy to see English with number 5 in yellow (on the left): This is, as it says on the cover, teacher's book for P5 English.

You can also see "Etudes Sociales": Not to worry I will translate this for you "Social Studies" books (or "livres" to keep French!). So, the books now fully packed and sealed in the carton (last photo) are:

For P6 class: 40 pupils (down from 45)
* English lesson:
- Primary English for Rwanda (23 books, that is 1 book for about 2 kids)
- Primary English teacher's book (1 book)
- Common Errors in written English (5 books, that is 1 book for 8 kids) .
* Social Studies lesson:
- French edition (23 books, that is about 1 book for 2 kids)
* French Lesson:
- Harpas French Grammar (5 books, that is 1 book for 8 kids)

For P5 class: 75 pupils.
* English lesson
- Primary English for Rwanda (43 books, that is 1 book for 2 kids- excess 6 books for kids next year class)
- Primary English teacher's book (1 book)
- Common Errors in written English (10 books, that is 1 book for about 7 kids)
* Social Studies lesson:
- French edition (43 books, that is 1 book for 2 kids- excess 6 books for kids next year class)
* French Lesson:
- Harpas French Grammar (10 books, that is 1 book for ~7 kids)

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