Thanks to the efforts of our 7th grade social studies teachers, Ms. Manzelli and Ms. Medla, students have been involved in many cross-team activities. One of Ms. Manzelli’s students had actually visited the African nation of Rwanda, and Ms. Manzelli arranged a visit from Andre’s father so their experience could be shared with the classes.
On January 5, 2012, Dr. Andre Sofair and his son addressed both 7th grade teams on the topic of the presenters’ recent trip to Rwanda. Of course, one of the highlights of the presentation was the viewing of pictures of the gorillas that have a habitat in Rwanda. However, during the presentation, Dr. Sofair and Andre also told the students about their visit to Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali (CHUK) where great strides have been made in increasing the wellness of the children of Rwanda. Students’ interest in helping the clinic by running a fundraiser prompted a follow-up visit.
On Tuesday, January 24, Dr. Sofair returned to visit with the social studies classes. He was joined by Dr. Emmanuel Kamanzi, of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali (CHUK) in Rwanda.
Dr. Kamanzi discussed with students his education, experiences, and daily life as a medical doctor in Rwanda. It was so gratifying to hear him explain how he chose pediatrics as his specialty. Dr. Kamanzi told of how very ill infants and young children would be brought to the clinic, but as a result of treatment available, most children would be greatly improved within a few days, laughing and playing; it was like a miracle. These successes so affected Dr. Kamanzi emotionally that he just knew that helping young children was his life’s mission.
Students greatly enjoyed the presentation and did indeed hold a fundraiser for CHUK. Hopefully, the generous donations of students and teachers at BMS will help to, in the words of Ms. Manzelli, “Help the children of Rwanda see a brighter and healthier future!”
Just in – The seventh graders raised over $250 for the clinic in just four days.
We hope to stay in touch with Dr. Kamanzi through email even after his return to Rwanda.
Just in – The seventh graders raised over $250 for the clinic in just four days.
We hope to stay in touch with Dr. Kamanzi through email even after his return to Rwanda.
2 comments:
Thank you very much for hosting us at your school. My son Andre and I were very happy to share our experience living and working in Rwanda this past summer. The 7th grade students were all very respectful, polite, and asked so many excellent questions of us.
I know that Emmanuel also very much enjoyed coming to the school to speak on his experiences living and working in Rwanda as a pediatrician. I will let you know as I receive information from him about how he will use the generous donation given by the students.
Andre Sofair
Dear Dr. Sofair,
Thank you so much for your comment. Also, thank you for contacting me with Dr. Kamanzi's email reply to our students that you forwarded to me. I am pasting his reply below:
"Thank you so much Dr Sofair for sharing with me this nice publication. I have much enjoyed with students in last summer and I was very grateful for their determination to help our children. The contact has been possible with the help of the teachers and I take this opportunity to thank Dr Sofair and his son André who are the promoters of my fruitful visit at school of Bethany. I will send the report of the money the students raised. God bless you all and let’s keep in touch!"
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