Press Releases

U.S. Government Funded Primary School Dedicated in Bugesera

January 8, 2008: Representatives of the U.S. and Rwandan governments today joined with local officials, teachers, students, and parents to celebrate the dedication of Shyara Primary School in Bugesera District, Eastern Province. Construction of the school, which can accommodate 300 male and female students, was funded by the American Government through the U.S. European Command's Humanitarian Assistance Program to Rwanda. 

Mr. Narcisse Musabeyezu, Secretary General in Ministry of Education, and Major General Patrick Nyamvumba, Ministry of Defense, represented the Government of Rwanda at the ceremony.  The U.S. Government was represented by U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Michael Arietti and Rear Admiral James M. Hart, Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, U.S. Central Command and local leaders.

Construction of the new Shyara Primary School was completed in four months at a cost of USD 205,000 (approximately 111.900.000 FRW).  Forty-five members of the local community were employed during the construction project, which utilized pre-fabricated elements to reduce overall costs and to minimize the environmental impact of the construction process.  The project was supervised by Major Ron Miller, Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Rwanda.    

In the past six years, the U.S. European Command's Humanitarian Assistance Program has supported seven primary school construction projects in Rwanda.  The program is designed to assist in the development of capacity building activities that address the basic humanitarian needs of civilian populations.

Ambassador Michael Arietti accompanied by MINEDUC Secretary General, Narcisse Musabeyezu cutting ribbon to mark school dedication.

View of Shyara Primary School dedicated to Bugesera District.