SOS is pleased to say that 105 new desks have been purchased and the final 60 are being built for the primary school in Gatenga, Rwanda, L’Ecole Primaire Nyanza. The anticipated delivery date is the end of April 2008. These desks, a priority request from the director, will ease some of the overcrowding in the classrooms. And as one of our friends from Rwanda commented, “I just wanted to let you know that the desks have changed the lives of the students in Gatenga school.  There were 25 more that we delivered few weeks ago.  Students are doing much better as they are sitting and not standing.  I just wanted to let you know.” This successful completion of the desk project has involved the collaboration of SOS with two other organizations. One was another not for profit organization, The Anderson Association ASBL in Rwanda which was instrumental in assisting in the purchase of 25 of the 105 needed desks.  The remaining desks were built as a result of a second collaborative association in which SOS is a proud partner with ETO secondary school in Gitarama, Rwanda.  This secondary school focuses on technical training which helps its students obtain an education in a choice of - Automotive Mechanics, Electrical, Electronics, Carpentry/Construction & Public Works. The school has 400 students, in 3 levels equivalent to Years 10, 11 & 12 respectively.  SOS worked with the project manager, Mr. Mark O’Kane who facilitated communication with the instructors and students in Carpentry/Construction department to design and build the 80 desks required. Feedback from Mr. Jackson Mukiza, the director of the L’Ecole Primaire Nyanza, is that he was very pleased that the desks are of good quality and were built according to the stated requirements.  SOS is hopeful that it will be able to work on future projects with ETO as this school is providing a vital service to Rwanda, as the country is in desperate need of young tradesmen and skilled professionals to replace the many skilled adults whose lives were lost during the 1994 genocide.  ETO Gitarama hopes to become a prototype school that will be copied in other areas of the country, graduating students who go onto university and into essential trades. Upon graduation, these young trades persons will be prepared to assist Rwanda in the rebuilding of its infrastructure, and at the same time will be able to earn a steady income and be a support for their families.  SOS is proud to be able to work with both schools for the betterment of education in Rwanda. We hope that you will be moved to assist us.  For more information, please contact: Phone: + 1(250) 478-6369 or email   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it