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RWANDA GIRLS INITIATIVE
Newsletter February 2010
Message from Co-Founder, Suzanne Sinegal McGill
Although I’m still a bit bleary eyed (Shal and I just returned from another incredible trip to Rwanda), I have a big smile on my face as I write this letter as this might be the most exciting trip yet!
Accompanying us on our trip, was our newly hired Head of School, Peter Thorp, who comes to us with over 23 years of experience in education -- from heading boarding schools in the US to founding one of the most successful charter schools in California. He’s a truly visionary educator and we feel so fortunate to have him on-board. Peter will be one of the most critical members of the team that will turn this dream into a reality. He will drive the vision on the ground to ensure the girls attending the Gashora Girls Academy have a chance to soar and become change makers in their country! Welcome Peter!
We are eager for the opening of the community center within a month. It was so thrilling to stand inside the building and imagine all of the life that will fill it soon… children coming to play basketball, families attending nutrition classes, local people attending English classes, farmers learning how to improve their yield…
Thank you again for your ongoing support. We couldn’t do it without all of your help! Soozi Sinegal McGill, Co-Founder Rwanda Girls Initiative This December, Soozi spoke about the importance of girls education as a panelist at the Global Washington conference. Shal and Soozi also met keynote speaker Nicholas Kristof at the Overlake School Global Service Fair, hearing him speak about gender equality as the central moral challenge of our time. Read more ... "educate. inspire. transform." Celebrate with Rwanda Girls Initiative on March 13th, 2010. Join us at this unique event to learn more about RGI and see how your contributions will help turn the dream of education into reality for girls in Rwanda. Click here for details.
As we begin our next phase of construction on the school buildings, we’re incredibly fortunate to have two retired construction project managers who will lend their talent to the project. Al Bergman, formerly with Sellen Construction, and Mike McCausland of Lease Crutcher Lewis Construction, have volunteered to spend a total of 4-6 months each rotating onsite to track and expedite the progress of the construction. Thank you Al and Mike!
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On my first visit to the site of Gashora Girls Academy, I was standing next to Daniel, a youthful Rwandan physician who is developing nurse training programs in the country, and as we looked out over the fields toward the lakeshore, he turned to me and said "Peter, this school will be an island of hope for the girls of Rwanda." Daniel and so many other Rwandans I met all share an unwavering feeling of hope for their country, and I came away both honored and humbled to have been given the opportunity to contribute to their dreams for their country.
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