Rwandan dinner at Presbyterian Church, Sunday

On Sunday, April 25, from 4-8 p.m., YSHS seniors Meg Miller and Maiya Thornton will present a talk about their month-long stay in Rwanda last summer. The talk will take place at the First Presbyterian Church of Yellow Springs and will include traditional Rwandan dishes. The first half of the program is the student’s presentation, the second half is dinner and a video.

Suggested donation is $10.

The following was submitted by Meg Miller:

“I think it’s safe to say that it was the most incredible month of our lives. For two weeks, we stayed at Byimana School of Sciences and attended classes alongside our new Rwandan friends, as well as taught two hours of English a day to children at a separate village school. Never in my life had I seen such academic drive in students! They began studying at 5:30 am and did not stop until after 9:30 pm, with breaks only for meals, chapel, and physical activity. However, the teaching materials and resources available to these eager learners were severely lacking. School supplies that American students just
discard without a second thought would have been treasured here.

”These problems only arise, though, if a student actually makes it to school. The $200 yearly tuition (includes room and board) is unthinkable for many Rwandan families. Most families are farmers living on $1 a day.

”Each graduating Yellow Springs High School Senior is required to do a senior project, and upon our return Maiya and I decided to raise money for our Rwandan friends who desperately wanted the same chance for an education that Maiya and I were getting for free. The Presby church agreed to host our venue, and all donations will go toward Byimana.”