Crimson Academy Opens

"Students await the first day of school."

On January 10, 2011 Crimson Academy opened. The, still growing, inaugural student body of 150 began there education in four classes, Primary 1, 2, 3 and 4. A terrific celebration attended by local leaders, educators, NGO's, faculty and parents heralded the landmark event.

"The top sector official cuts the ribbon!"

Crimson Academy, a partner project of howFar Ministries, The How Far Foundation and Crimson Foundation for Education, will educate primarily marginalized Batwa Pygmy children within the Gihara sector. These students will have an opportunity that few in their community have enjoyed. According to local leaders, a small number of Batwa have ever attended Primary School and only two are known to have advanced to Secondary School.

"We know that education is very important, and the only reason we don’t go to school is because of the request that we put on shoes. We can’t buy shoes, we can’t buy uniforms. And another thing is that if we went to school we would fail to get anything to eat. Even me, I am a man with a family but if I was given the chance to go to school I would. The problem is that I have to support my family, and generally it is poverty preventing us from going to school, that is the hindrance." (Source: Minority Rights Group International 54 Commercial Street, London E1 6LT, United Kingdom. Interview with Patrick. March 2008)

The goal of howFar is two fold. howFar Ministries will educate a generation of Christian Batwa who will take the gospel message to their people group of nearly 100,000 throughout Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and DR Congo. The How Far Foundation seeks to break the long cycle of poverty and oppression by educating the Batwa.

"A wonderful transformation that has filled the village with excitement. The same beautiful children are in the photos below"

"Primary One"

"Primary Two"

"Primary Three "

"Primary Four"

Several weeks ago one Batwa father from Gihara/Kigina who was asked whether he would send his children to the new school replied,

"Learn what? We did not go to school and we are here. The children need to be with us and work. They go for water. If they go who will do their work?"

In spite of his misgivings the father relented and enrolled his children in Crimson Academy. In part, because the required registration fee was only 1000 Rwandan Francs - $1.70 which included the schools uniform. Unlike other primary schools in Rwanda, which charge tuition, Crimson Academy asks the family to contribute only what they feel that they can afford.Just two weeks into the school year the father came to the school leadership and said,

"I have seen such a change in my boy. He is learning of things that we have never heard of. Now I would sell everything that I own to keep my child in this school!"

"Crimson Academy Campus"

Crimson Academy will be unique in another area as well. It will be an English language school from Primary 1 throughout. Most don't begin teaching English until Primary 3 or 4. Rwanda's government said adieu to its colonial national language of French opting for English in the last few years. "The vast majority of our students will never know enough French to speak it. They will know English which will give them an advantage in the business community", said one school official.

The 6 acre howFar Crimson Academy Compound, in Kigina/Gihara, will be further developed in the coming months. Four additional classrooms and an office are needed to prepare the school to offer the full plan of Primary 1 through Primary 6.

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