When REE builds an outdoor basketball court at a rural school, it is typically called a “playground.” Though Rwandans seem to use that term differently than Americans do, it’s appropriate in a literal sense because the courts are used for “play” in so many forms. Besides of course competitive team sports, they host everything from PE games to youth activities on Sunday afternoon to neighborhood kids kicking around anything they can find until sunset. In blazing sun or in the dark, people of all ages and walks of life play on the courts.
Installing slabs of concrete that enable people to come together so joyfully, in communities with few store-bought things for play, is hands down the happiest thing REE does.
Volleyball on GS Gitabage's court, completed in 2021.
More basketball shoes always needed!
Soccer balls are often made of plastice bags and string
Feb.2023--first pickleball ever played in Rwanda?
Court at GS Gasaka finished in 2019
ES Gasiza volleyball
...and NOW.
Rulindo sitball team is ranked 6th in the nation!
ES Gasiza sports court until 2016....
Since 2016, REE has built 5 basketball/volleyball courts and every year donates jerseys, shoes, balls, nets, baskets, pumps, etc. to each of our eight Rulindo school partners.
A kindergarten play area is being planned for the first time at EP Rulindo, and a basketball court for older children is on their wish list too.
REE brought pickleball and badminton to Rulindo for the first time in 2023, and both were received enthusiastically!
“Gym tonic” ( cardio-movement to pop music) is popular on weekends.
Soccer flourishes at all skill levels, and we constantly collect more soccer balls to distribute.
Sports and general play enormously boost mental and physical health for students; REE works to give as many kids as possible a chance to participate.
Ernest Nizeyimana, full-time athletic director (on a part-time salary) since Jan.2022, helps lead the effort to develop sports in the Rulindo district. Besides coaching basketball and volleyball at ES Gasiza, he teaches PE, substitute teaches wherever needed, and is the school’s resident electrician. He earns $100/month, is building a house for his family with his own hands, and aspires to attend college for a degree in coaching.
JeanMarie Haragirimana:
master teacher of high school mathematics, faculty mentor, and master’s degree candidate. In addition to his classroom teaching he tirelessly coaches ES Gasiza girls’ soccer, assists the Gasiza boys “academy” team, organizes adult teams, and runs weekend soccer training for community children. Last year he helped the Rulindo academy team beat high-powered big-school teams to win a national championship, which earned them a trip to international competition in Tanzania. He exemplifies the kind of educator all schools need.
Note: as a classroom teacher with a B.A., JeanMarie receives a government salary of about $160/month, and coaches his many teams out of personal generosity and dedication. Ernest’s position and another at GS Rukingu, however, were created by REE in the last 18 months. More schools need coaches like these, in order to develop athletic programs for hundreds of students hungry to play. Given the chance, players gladly stay after school until dark to practice and compete, and walk back to school on weekends for extra training. Donations to sustain these two coaching salaries, and add more, are much needed and gratefully accepted.