Computers from Killyleagh on their way to African students

Computers from Killyleagh on their way to African students

18 June 2014

SUNDAY School children in Killyleagh is helping a Rwandan student with his Bible College studies. The children, along with the help of their teacher, Tony Davies, were recently able to send a laptop to Paul Ndahigwa who is currently studying in Uganda.

Now the St. John’s Parish Church Sunday School is hoping to send more computers to Rwanda to help students with their studies via its Computers for Africa project.

The Sunday School has also appealed to any businesses which may be upgrading computers which are several years old to donate them to the Rwandan appeal.

Mr. Davies is also keen to hear from anyone who may be willing to upgrade any of the computers for free and who can provide information on the most cost-effective way of shipping the computers the 4,500 miles to Rwanda.

He explained the Killyleagh church’s rector, the Rev. Jerome Munyangaju, is originally from Rwanda and recently helped deliver the laptop to Paul via Bishop Emmanuel Ntazinda from the Kibungo Diocese.

The bishop’s diocese includes the Mutenderi School which the Killyleagh Sunday School has been supporting for over a decade by sponsoring some of its students, one of whom was Paul.

“We raised money to fund the education of Paul and another student Joyce who both subsequently left school and went on to university, which is a rear feat for young people in Rwanda. Paul qualified as an accountant but is now studying at Bible College and we are delighted to have been able to help him,” explained Tony.

“Joyce is now managing a care home for the elderly which is supported by the Birds of Paradise organisation set up by the Rev. Munyangaju’s wife Mary.”

Tony explained Paul was the only student at Bible College who did not have his own computer to complete his assignments, which sparked the Killyleagh Sunday School into action.

The local Sunday School also played a major role in helping secure running fresh water for the Rwandan school which has 1,200 pupils.

While a series of drill holes failed to locate any water, the money raised in Killyleagh was subsequently used to connect the school to a mains pipe being financed by the Japanese which the local Bishop had heard about.

After helping secure a fresh water supply for the school, the Killyleagh Sunday School discovered that incredibly, the 1,200 pupils had just one computer between them.

“I mentioned this in church one day and parishioner said he knew an accountancy firm which was getting rid of three computers. We now have them and are waiting for them to upgraded before they are sent to Mutenderi.

“We hope that other businesses which may be upgrading their computers will get in touch with us so we can have these reconditioned before they are sent off as well. The computers will make such an amazing difference to the lives of the pupils at the Rwandan school.”

Tony has also being doing his bit to support the Computers for Africa project by fighting the flab. He has lost over 16 kilos to raise £600 which will pay for putting hard drives in the three computers donated to date.

“We hope to ship these in the near future and would be delighted to hear from anyone who can tell us the most cost-effective way of doing this,” he continued.

“The Rwandan government and the church in this part of the world are supporting what we in Killyleagh are doing for the children at Mutenderi. When we send things out we can be assured they go to where they are supposed to.”

Tony explained the fundraising will continue, with the Killyleagh Sunday School seeking funds to finance new audio visual equipment for St. John’s Parish Hall which is in line to be replaced with a modern building.

• For more information on the Computers for Africa project visit goo.gl/jqJ4wD or to contact Tony email tonydavies@gmail.com or telephone 07715 253199.