Grateful To Be A "Musical Missionary"

Elisabeth Crawford
French, English, Music and Drama Teacher

I have always wanted to be a "musical missionary" in Africa and am grateful to my school for giving me their Humanitarian Grant and to the IEE for providing this opportunity to teach the children of Kigali. I love many different genres of music, especially classical, and love opera and theater, especially Shakespeare. I love to write, walk, do yoga and especially sing with children and adults. I also have a passion for elephants and hope to see one or two before I leave Africa. I have two children––Sarah, who is fluent in Italian, and will be teaching high school Italian and Latin, and Andrew, fluent in Spanish, who is studying to be a lawyer.

Music is everywhere in Rwanda and at Kagugu! Live drums and drum CDs are heard throughout the day and well into the night, capturing the romantic sounds of beloved African movies. At Kagugu, after the students have finished classes, some of them gather in the classrooms and with a large congo drum and under the direction of one of the teachers, they perform beautiful, traditional Rwandan dances. The girls, and some of the boys, are graceful and dance in groups of 6, 8 or 12. One girl is truly gifted and is given solo audience.

During my introduction on my first day, the teachers were so excited about what I had come to do with the students they asked if I would teach them as well. We meet after school, with a very amused and bright audience of HUNDREDS of students peering through the library windows. So far, they love the twist (their favorite) the pony (which has the same 1,2,3 rhythmic step as some of theirs - only at a faster tempo) and they are getting better at the Limbo (one of my favorites). They are a wonderful, receptive group and asked me to teach them "Head and Shoulders, knees and toes" (remember that?) so they can in turn teach their students.

The children are precious and by and large, have a natural good pitch and rhythm. I use the echo method and hands to indicate higher and lower pitches. Sometimes they make up their own melodies, but when reviewed, they catch on quickly. I played an action/name game and after a bit, they caught on and we had a winner! Many teachers are with me to translate my words, and Emanuel, the librarian and computer person, is always there. So far I've had some P (primary) 3's, 4's, and 5's. They've learned a simple praise song, the Stanwich School primary house signature song and He's Got the Whole World in His Hands. The second verse was, of course, He's got Kagugu School in His Hands. They really loved that!


Wilson and Brad helped me buy instruments––the guitar I use and several tambourines––which they enjoy and we’ll use the two, beautiful congo drums we bought next week! I thought I'd try Beethoven's 5th with congos: ba ba ba bam! We'll see.

As I left to get a moto home the first day, some of the children, who follow and surround you by the 100's (literally), sang "Praise Ye the Lord" as I passed. Very sweet. Some of them gesture playing the guitar. I'd love to teach them how to play the guitar as well. One of the teachers asked me, so I'll do that next week.

Well, the computer is runnning out of juice…

Blessed To Be Part Of Such A Gifted Group of People

Lindsay Blaire Beeman
IEE Program Director/USA

I feel so blessed to be a part of such a dynamic and gifted group of people who are all tremendously motivated and passionate about improving education both for Rwandan and American students. What a wonderful program to be a part of at such a time of growth and development! To know that I get to wake up every morning and work with an organization that is making a profound difference in the lives of students of different ages, in different parts of the world, and affecting the overall quality of life for people in this generation and the next is an inexplicable joy. I keep thinking, "how fortunate am I to be pursuing not just a career, but a passion?!" I'm also anxiously awaiting the opportunity to visit students in Rwanda this fall. They have so much to teach us, and I can hardly wait to be a sponge, soaking up all that I can of their rich cultural heritage.

My experience with the IEE to this point has been overwhelming. Meetings with teachers, principals and students have moved and inspired me. Having the opportunity to present photos of students in Rwinkwavu to their partner school in Newburgh was amazing. Then, watching the faces of students light up at the magic of developing a friendship with another student across the globe was indescribable. Each school has a slightly different goal and method of incorporating IEE into the curriculum, but each teacher or principal is equally dedicated to expanding the minds of their students and opening their eyes to a great big world from which they can learn so much. I am eager to watch this first summer of teacher training in Rwanda and this first full year of multiple school partnerships unfold.

Exceedingly Thankful For What Will Be A Fantastic Summer

Molly Warren
Cornell University Sophomore

As the literal grassroots of the IEE, our work this summer will hopefully build a solid foundation for English comprehension for both teachers and students, creating a sustainable academic future for Kagugu Primary School. Our goal this summer is for Kagugu to also serve as a model for future school projects in the country and beyond. Ten of the most impressionable years of my life were spent babysitting for a neighborhood family and their three young children. Because of this experience, a large part of me is familiar with childhood development and I have been able to apply this knowledge in a classroom setting here in Rwanda.

The country fascinates me with its unimaginable geography, and the people enthrall me with their strength and their compassion for life despite its recent adversities. My future goals include more volunteer work, possibly through the Peace Corps, and a career in global/international health. I am open-minded, though, and I am willing to experiment with many different opportunities to uncover more of my interests. I am exceedingly thankful for what I know will be a fantastic summer in Rwanda.

Looking Forward To Rwanda

Carly Scott
Edinburgh University Junior

Having grown up in a part of the world were most people don’t have to worry about being able to feed their families and every child gets to go to school, I know how lucky I am to be apart of such a community. Because I have been so fortunate, I want to help those who don’t have the same opportunities that were given to me.

My last trip to Rwanda was a life changer. The Rwandan people are in a class in their own when it comes to friendliness and hospitality. For a country that has endured so much it is incredible to see how open and welcoming they are and I’m looking forward to learning more about their culture and their history.

I loved being in the schools last year and really can’t wait to get back. Our group taught in high schools but you couldn’t get far down the street without a group of 15 or 20 primary school kids running up to us and practicing their “how are you?”s and “I am fine”s. I’m excited to start working with the younger kids and of course with the primary school teachers. I know how big of a role teachers have played in my life and feel really good about being involved, even if it’s in a small way, in primary education––especially in a country like Rwanda which means so much to me and where I know there are millions of kids eager to even have the opportunity to learn.

One thing that really got to me when I was in Rwanda last summer was seeing the street kids that often fill the bigger towns and cities. It’s unimaginable to me that a child of 5 (which was the youngest of the group of street kids who lived outside our rooms) goes to sleep each night on the side of the road instead of going home to a family and a bed. I can’t begin to understand what those kids go through and can’t help but wonder what sort of future they will have. After meeting and getting to know some of those street kids, I knew the next time that I came back to Rwanda I wanted to work with kids, especially in primary education as I think every child deserves the opportunity to go to school and the chance to create their own futures.

More than anything, I’m really looking forward to getting to know and work with the amazing people that undoubtedly will be involved in the IEE program.