Rwanda Education Assistance Project Inc

I am a retired Social Studies teacher who has worked with REAP . My Human Rights students created two fund raising campaigns. The first one was called Mango for Hope and the second one was called the Moo Project. Both project were student generated as the decided that they wanted to raise money for REAP so they learned about determining a goal/objective, marketing their product to the student body-TShirts designed by the students and organizing a student run concert. The Mango for Hope raised money for a mango garden with indigeous mango trees so the students and their families would have access to food while the second campaign raised money to buy a milking cow so that the students would have access to milk during their school day. Both of these projects were designed by my students to make a difference in the lives of the students at Duha School where REAP has generously been supporting their educational efforts for over 10 years. The reason my students became so motivated to help the Duha students is that they felt that REAP was one organization that raised money that went directly to the stated project. The money they raised went directly to buy mango trees and a cows for the school. Both of these projects not only helped the students but they benefitted the larger community .

I am now a Board member responsible for connecting schools to REAP as I hope to continue supporting their efforts in making a difference in a Rwanda. As a board member I see that REAP continues to give all of its funds directly the stated programs that it supports.

I am a retired elementary school principal, who has had both a professional and personal relationship with the founder and executive director of REAP. We met about ten years ago when my Westchester school and his REAP-supported school in Rwanda became professionally networked. That relationship was based on rigorous vetting and a shared vision of child-centered, community based collaborative education. Since my retirement we have maintained our relationship, which has grown into sincere friendship. As well, I have attended REAP board meetings as a pro bono consultant, fund raising events as a donor and programmatic planning sessions as an advisor. In each instance, I have found the organization, its staff, board and administrator to be authentic, trustworthy, reflective and collaborative. More impressively they maintain a deep commitment to work from the strengths and intentions of the Rwandan people, without imposing a "right" Western perspective.

I just attended the recent fundraiser of the Rwanda Education Assistance Project (REAP), entitled "Radical Hope
In Challenging Times." The event brought to light not only the legacy of genocide in Rwanda but how REAP"s work
is directly impacting the lives of children, parents and their community by providing opportunities to learn new skills, gain knowledge, and thus transform lives. Their new project of building a community library and learning center is truly an inspiration, and, I hope, can serve as a prototype for community engagement. Unlike large nonprofits, REAP's resources go directly to serving those in Rwanda.

This group is not transparent. The founder, who lives in the US and has a professional job, takes money for his pay that is about 20% of what they raise. What kind of charity is that? My school will not raise funds for them again.

The board is not who they say, I know a board member who left over concerns of the founder taking too much money.

I think the work could be good but the Executive Director misleads people. My school will not help them again and it was a negative lesson for the kids to learn.