In the last ten years, a large number of American and Rwandan people have been brought together under the Paraclete network and many educational initiatives have resulted. They are run by their own volunteer committees under the Paraclete umbrella. When all of the individual projects are viewed as a whole, it is quite an impressive work.

Byiamana Village This started as a scholarship program for students at the Byiamana School of Science but has expanded to include the primary school and the construction of a media and library center. Chair: Penny Herlihy

Yellow Springs, Ohio This started with Al Schulter, a retired chemistry teacher, visiting with some Paraclete colleagues to do some teacher training at Byiamana School of Science (http://www NULL.byimana-school NULL.com/). It expanded to include his home town, Yellow Springs, and a teacher/student exchange. Chair: Al Schulter

Benebikira Sisters on Sabbatical The Paraclete Foundation hosts sisters from the Benebikira in South Boston for their enrichment and for ours. They live in our building, a former convent, sharing life with our corps of young volunteer teachers while attending universities in the area. For more information on the congregation and their guest houes click on benebikira.net. (http://www NULL.benebikira NULL.net)

Washington, DC A group from the DC area are helping to equip the Benebikira Dormitory for Women and providing website and other media consultation for the Congregation. Chair: Mellissa Peery

MIT D-Lab Team MIT sends out small groups of students each January for four to six weeks to learn on the ground about developing countries. Last year Rwanda was added to their list of countries and we have been happy to facilitate their experience in collaboration with the Benebikira Congregation. Chair: Sr. Ann

Work Retreats The Paraclete has arranged for individuals to spend four to six weeks at mutually agreed upon sites in collaboration with the Benebikira Sisters to provide a needed service (the work part) and to be inspired ( the retreat part). Nurses, educators, engineers, and chefs are some of the people who have gone. Chair: Ellen Contreras

Lap Tops from NYC For a country focusing on technology, what better project than sending quality lap tops donated by people upgrading to super quality laptops. Dr. Johanna Dailey and Dan Fusco making sure as our members travel to Rwanda they go with a lap top.

Premium Rwandan coffee may be ordered on-line at www.thousandhillscoffee.com. (http://www NULL.thousandhillscoffee NULL.com NULL./) Sales support Paraclete – Rwanda projects as well as coffee cooperatives.

The Paraclete Foundation was the incubator for the building of the Maranyundo School for Girls (http://www NULL.maranyundo NULL.org/) in Nymata, Rwanda. The school was given to the Benebikira Congregation in November 2010.