Rising Above the Storms (RAS) launched a Learning Center in Rwanda in January 2017, which is an after school program to support street children. We currently have over 50 children and the number is growing. Over 200 children and their families have been impacted by our services. In addition to school materials, uniforms, & tuition fees (in Rwandan public schools), children receive therapy sessions, and much-needed basic food supplies when they visit our Center. We have also added a computer lab where our kids can learn computers and IT related skills. They also participate in soccer programs where our team has competed on a national level for the youth division.
We also added vocational training options for children who are interested and have the aptitude for certain trades available in Rwanda. In 2021, our very first high school graduate received a full scholarship to college where he's wrapping up his first year. Your generosity helps us as we continue to grow and expand our programs to low income families through scholarships for high performing students. Our first cohort of 30 students to various k-12 schools in Rwanda started in September 2022.