Rollins in Rwanda: A Walk to Remember!

Words from our Captain ~ Dr. Hewit

“When you’re a teacher, you tend to want to help people learn.” That’s the explanation Associate Professor of EducationScott Hewit gives when asked why he’s made four trips to the Duha Complex School in rural Rwanda since 2010. As the education coordinator for theRwanda Education Assistance Project(REAP), Hewit has been helping teachers and administrators deliver a quality education to the 3,000 students who eagerly arrive each day. It all started in 2009 when Hewit was contacted by Ed Ballen, the founder of REAP. “He knew I had been working in education in Liberia and had a passion for supporting educational efforts in Africa,” Hewit recalled. “So he invited me to go along on a trip to visit the school and see what I might be able to contribute to his mission.” Hewit came back from that summer 2010 adventure fully committed to the cause. "For me, it came down to an opportunity to help families who want a better future for their children and their country. When I realized how hungry they were to learn, it was easy to make that commitment." One thing Hewit makes crystal clear is that he and his REAP colleagues don’t arrive in Rwanda with an “all-knowing” attitude. “We try to go over knowing nothing, rather than acting like we have all the answers,” he said. “We are there to watch, listen, ask questions, and find out what they need. And we are there to build relationship on a one-to-one level with teachers and administrators.” “It is very gratifying work. Helping these teachers and students learn is an adventure I couldn’t pass up. How many people get to do something like this?”

Rollins in Rwanda

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Saturday, April 12, 2014

A Walk to Remember!

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