Local Conservatives participate in Rwandan development projects
A group of Conservatives from Lambeth spent the second half of July working on different social action projects in Rwanda.
Conservative Candidate for Vauxhall, Glyn Chambers, instructed 50 primary school teachers in writing and speaking English, whilst others worked on projects to develop Rwanda’s private sector through building the capabilities of the business school and graduate career services.
Glyn, who is also a Governor of the Michael Tippett Special School in Lambeth, said: “I have a passion for both education and international development and it was great to combine these two interests during my time in Rwanda. As a country, Rwanda has been through violent and terrible times in recent decades. However, its people remain optimistic and friendly.”
“Rwanda has recently replaced French with English as its second official language, but local teachers are in need of experience in writing and particularly speaking English. I was delighted to help them and hope they will be able to share everything from the technicalities of when to use more, less and fewer to the lyrics of ‘If you’re happy and you know it…’ with their own pupils.”
This is the third year in which a number of Conservative Parliamentarians, Candidates and researchers have visited Rwanda to assist in development projects. In total, 90 volunteers joined this year’s project. In addition to working on their individual projects, they participated in Umuganda, Rwanda’s monthly social action project in which all citizens participate, by helping to construct a new drainage ditch in a poor district of Kigali. There was also a cricket match against a local team (which the Rwandans won for third year running!).
Glyn added: “At a time when the MPs’ expenses scandal has deeply concerned many people, it’s important that those of us involved in politics show a commitment to sacrifice our own time and money to make things better. I believe that projects such as these are important for re-establishing the trust of the British people.”
