KIST Bids Farewell to American Volunteers

By Fred Bazatsinda
THE NEW TIMES, August 22-23, 2005, pg. 5.

The Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) fraternity recently bid farewell to a group of thirteen American students from Oklahoma Christian University, who have been voluntarily teaching the English language at the institution.

The Americans led by Dave Jenkins and his family marked the end of their stay in Rwanda in a send-off party that attracted students and lecturers alike.

In an interview with The New Times, Jenkins said that the 1994 Rwanda Genocide resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of orphans in society, noting that such young people needed a lot of care.

“Starting activities like music, dance, drama, and other games in churches during weekends will do this. Our target is character development to reduce on the number of idlers,” Jenkins said.

He added that such activities would not only strengthen their Christian faith but would also strengthen the culture of the nation.

Some of the students at institute lauded the work executed by the group. “They performed their responsibilities and used their own money to show us Godly love and care. We hope they will come back soon as they promised,” Joseph Ndayisaba noted.