We are delighted to announce the launch of the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund and the winners of the first Call for Proposals for the Student Generated Project Grants Program. The launch took place at a Hope Africa University graduation ceremony on Saturday, February 5, 2011. The winners, Evelyne Kanyana, Eddyne Irankunda and Christine Kamirameya, were invited to the graduation and seated in the tent for dignitaries. On behalf of the African Governing Committee, Bishop Elie Buconyori introduced the winners, called them forward and presented each of them with a certificate.
The Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund is the first of its kind in Burundi; it is the first fund to provide development funding directly to students for their own projects. There was at least one television camera at the Hope Africa University graduation and the launch of the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund and the announcement of the Student Generated Project Grants Program winners made the national television news.
More on the Student Generated Project Grants Program
During my first reconnecting visit to Burundi in 2007, the Rector of Hope Africa University (HAU), Bishop Elie Buconyori, told me that one of his priorities for HAU was to establish a fund to support students and graduates for development projects. It was this suggestion that resulted in the development of the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund.
Last year, the North American Governing Committee of the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund approved the distribution of money for two $1,5oo.oo projects at Hope Africa University. In December, the African Governing Committee issued, posted and distributed a Call for Proposals for the Student Generated Project Grants Program.
In response to the Call for Proposals, we received ten proposals. The African Governing Committee thoroughly and carefully reviewed and evaluated the project proposals. We selected two projects for funding. Although there were other very good proposals, the two proposals identified below stood out because they will benefit the three recent graduates of Hope Africa University and, at the same time, share and extend the development and benefits to many others in need.
The project will produce pigs, fertilizer, work and income. By the end of the first year, some of the pigs will be sold, some will be retained to sustain the project and some of the pigs will be given to five of the poorest families in the Muyebe colline. In addition to producing, selling and distributing pigs, the project will provide local jobs, distribute fertilizer and, thereby, contribute to increasing agricultural and farming production and improving the standard of living for a number of the needy members of Muyebe.
- Tailoring for Women at Nyanza-lac, Christine Kamirameya
The project will produce products, sewing skills (tailoring and embroidery), employment and income. By providing sewing equipment and training and working with 25 women, including illiterate and widowed women, the project will empower women to work cooperatively to make money, be able to buy food and clothes, send their children to school, pay for medical treatment and, thereby, become more independent and self-sufficient.