{{At Hope Kids Academy, we aim to enlighten our students and expand their learning beyond just academics and rote memorization. We try to make them fuller individuals with a sense of civic responsibility and an appreciation for the arts.}}
In so doing, we have held numerous events in our First Academic Year to embrace and appreciate these ideals. Listed below are some of the more notable and impacting events that our school and our students took part in.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.568319406522502.1073741849.445966192091158&type= 1 (Donations to Kagugu Primary) As a part of our annual Solidarity Festival, a fundraiser was created with the hope of raising enough money for our sister school that we would be able to provide clothes, school supplies and some toys to the students most effected by poverty.
The result was a school trip by all grades and all students, to present, share and get to know one another.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.564344133586696.1073741845.445966192091158&type=1 (Hope Kids Academy, based in Nyarutarama, visited the genocide survivors in the cell of Masaka) Hope Kids Academy, based in Nyarutarama, visited the genocide survivors in the cell of Masaka today.
The purpose of the visit was to distribute donations helping support those residents and victims of the 1994 Genocide.
The school hoped to abet villagers’ needs and to establish self-reliant projects within the village in appreciation of this year’s Genocide commemoration theme of Striving for Self-Reliance.
The trip represented the culmination of the school’s 1st Annual month-long Solidarity Festival, which is aimed at enlightening its students and school community towards civic responsibility and ideals of sharing, tolerance and inclusion. The entire student body and a majority of staff and students’ parents were in attendance.
The trip presented students and staff with an opportunity to give back to those affected by the 1994 Genocide through donations of beans, rice, cooking oil, sugar and toys, amongst other things.
The proceeds from the Festival will also help to lay the ground-work for potential future projects like a sewing cooperative in Masaka. The eventual aim from such a cooperative would be to endorse Masaka’s residents’ self-sufficiency and self-reliance.
The visit to Masaka village not only presented the intended benefits to those of Masaka, but also some to the students of HKA. The school’s hope is to enlighten its students to the necessity of civic duties and responsibility, even an early age and to forge a lasting bond with the community that may last into HKA’s future.
The donations from the school were received through the school’s ‘Solidarity Festival’, an annual event directed at good works and helping those in the surrounding communities.
The Festival began in the month of March with fundraising and yard sale events and has been culminated in today’s visit to Masaka in conjunction with an upcoming trip to GS Kagugu in Kinyinya, Kigali. The Festival was Hope Kids Academy’s First Annual event of its kind, with the scope of next year’s event to hopefully have an even larger reach.)
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.504898469531263.112510.445966192091158&type=1 (Art Attack) The primary event of Hope Kids Academy’s existence was a co-curricular activity with families, teachers and students all involved.
The day was initiated with the intention to bring the school community closer and to develop a stronger sense of camaraderie. The present results of our First Annual Art Attack can still be seen decorating the walls of the school.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.534340353253741.116571.445966192091158&type=1 (Sports Day) In a similar vein to Art Attack, Sports Day was thought up with the goal of school bonding and camaraderie as its focus. Marked by an obstacle course pitting students’ families against teachers, as well as casual games of football and volleyball the day was successful in showcasing the school’s athletics, as well as bringing people together through healthy competition.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.546843392003437.1073741827.445966192091158&type=1 (Trip to Rwanda Library Services) In honor of the Library’s official opening and our dedication to continuing education, the trip to the Library was highlighted by a brief reading time and tour of the facilities. All of the students were greatly intrigued.
The trip opened the students and many of the staff to the depth of resources and books available at the new Library.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.552121231475653.1073741832.445966192091158&type=1 (HKA visits Rwandan National Team) In anticipation of Rwanda’s Amavubi against Mali in their World Qualifying Match, we were able to secure a visit to one of the team’s practice session.
The visit showcased our interest in sports and the utmost support for student learning inside and outside of the classroom. The children were all very excited and bemused by the chance to meet and talk with world-class athletes so closely.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.556258231061953.1073741835.445966192091158&type=1 (Solidarity Festival Yard Sale) As a preliminary step in our First Annual Solidarity Festival, we hoped to provide donations of goods, clothes, food and other supplies to those of a local Primary, sister school and to those of a local community of surviving genocide orphans and widows.
The result was a yard sale of food, clothes, jewelry, toys, monetary gifts and raffles. All proceeds went towards the two beneficiaries. The program was a definite success, despite the inclement weather and brief advertisements that were made. We hope to make an even larger impact and have an even greater reach in the years to come.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.563868423634267.1073741844.445966192091158&type=1 (Visit to Kanombe Airport and Tour with Akagera Heli-Tours) Thanks to some of the connections and relationships that our school community has been able to foster in its first year, we at HKA were able to schedule a visit to the Kanombe International Airport and to visit with one of the local tour companies, Akagera Tours.
Everyone was very anxious and excited at the chance to tour inside RwandAir’s newest vessel. Some teachers even got to play pilot for a bit. The trip was a success and we thank Kanombe and Akagera tours for taking the time to show us around their facilities and giving us exclusive access to their vehicles and the functioning of the airport.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.567054466648996.1073741848.445966192091158&type=1 (Children of umudugu – Umuganda Saturdays) As a part of Hope Kids Academy’s mission, we hope to not change the lives of those children we enroll and teach but to positively impact those of the community around us, whether as beneficiaries, neighbors or guests.
Each and every month, on the day of umuganda we invite local students and children to come and enjoy the facilities that are available at our school: air hockey, foosball and table tennis, as well as playground facilities: swings, slides, and football and volleyball grounds.
The day is often well attended as can be seen in the photos. We feel that is our duty to share what we have with those around us to demonstrate our gratitude and thanks and to also imprint positive relationships with those whom we may not know as well, outside of our immediate community at the school.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.569896306364812.1073741850.445966192091158&type=1 (Hope Kids Academy visited the National Police Headquarters and Kigali Fire Department) This morning in connection with the school’s aim of enriching their students’ social and academic development.
The purpose of the trip was to help demonstrate to Hope Kids’ students the value of helping others, social responsibility as well as to explore and know more about the facilities of the two vital emergency response units.
The trip took place in the morning hours this past Friday. It was attended by the entire student body and some accompanying teacher-chaperones. The students toured the entirety of the Police Headquarters as well as the facilities for Kigali’s premiere firefighting unit.
Viewing the training grounds, uniforms, vehicles and some of the more essential equipment was a highlight for the children as they were able to see a fire truck up-close as well as the heavy flame-retardant suits that the firemen must wear.
The students engaged in discussions with the representatives from the respective emergency responders units and became much more informed about the presence of emergency response services and also their role in the Kigali community. A follow-up discussion and presentation was held back at school prior to the students’ dismissal for the weekend.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.557874560900320.1073741836.445966192091158&type=1 (HKA kids visit Access Bank headquarters in UTC Building.) HKA kids visit Access Bank headquarters in UTC Building in order to better understand how a bank operates and the need for ICT in banking.
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