We are working hard to meet government regulations preparing for school reopening in September. Most important is the station for washing hands.
This wash station is recommended by the Ministry of Health of Rwanda. The tank holds one jerrycan (20 liters) of water and is worked by a foot pedal.
The approximate cost is $30 each. We need 15 because one wash station is required for every two classrooms, one for each of the two gates and one for the lunchroom.
Along with the wash stations, each child and teacher must have two face masks, one for morning and one for the afternoon. We are recommending four each as two would need to be washed or sanitized while the other two are with the child at school.
This is going to be an interesting new school year. We are doing our best as I believe our government is making these requirements for the health and welfare of our children and teachers.
We are now in the process of meeting the government regulations for distancing between students. Four additional classrooms are needed to provide enough space.
In May, we completed two of the needed classrooms. Two more are needed to be able to reopen our school in September. These two are ready.
Another two are in process.
Hoping to be financially able to complete these next two in the next month. To complete the construction, we need glass for windows, outside cement and grass to hold the soil.
Cement for floors and inside wall paint.
We needed to install fencing to protect the children from falling over the very steep bank in front of the upper-level classroom.
Our students’ safety is a special concern at Urukundo Learning Center. Leveling to build creates high and dangerous drop-offs.
A protection fence is the safety step needed. The fence in process.
Protection fence completed. No child will accidentally fall from the school yard to the ground below.
The next step is making the classroom levels handicap accessible. This is an ongoing project required by the government. We are doing our best to comply. As you can see, building on a mountain, there are many steps. Steps are not easy for those unable to walk. I had a sample of that when I broke my foot and ankle a few years ago. Walking in a cast to visit the school was not possible. I will share the progress being made in the August newsletter.