Greetings friends of OBR,

This is part of our regular updates through this regular newsletter “Onward OBR.”

OBR is gaining great momentum during this last half of the year. In the last half, we registered tremendous growth in internal organization, and getting OBR registered as a Not for profit Organization in Rwanda. This has built lots of confidence within us, and from our friends and partners.

The visitation by Jacques De Jongh, executive director for OB South Africa, and Julie Burns OB Center for Peace Building consultant in March stirred much interest from our friends to get more involved in OBR growth. This brought momentum for OBR.

Proposed site for OBR Base CampWe have raised funds for and negotiated the purchase of land for the base camp.  We have also secured funding for the training of instructional staff and for international program consultants to bring OBR operations to international OB standards.  In 2009, OBR will be working alongside international OB partners to deliver full OB programs to several groups of Rwandans in Rwanda.  These steps and many others to develop OBR's foundation have created quite a bit of momentum for the project.

Benny’s Visit.

In the month of July, the Partnership Manager for OB Australia: Benny Callaghan came over to live with us and experience life in Rwanda. We shared experiences, and assess potential areas for international partnership in developing insight visits to Rwanda by people specifically from Australia. We had also great times discussing OBR strategic direction and impact in the community.

OBR members receiving a Blue Peter Flag from Benny- OB AustraliaFor the 9 days Benny was here, he had an opportunity to interact with the locals, travel up-country, visit the proposed site for OBR base camp, meet OBR Board of directors and live in a family set up. From Outward Bound Australia, Benny offered to OBR a Blue Peter flag for to hoist during programs. ‘We were so fortunate and blessed with Benny’s presence.’

Keep supporting us. OBR is pursuing a Rotary Matching grants through the Rotary Club of Virunga Kigali. A significant number of clubs have pledged their involvement thus far. The grant is for purchase of training equipment. We are keen to succeed in this. We need commitment from more clubs in the international network for be involved. We will appreciate if you could recommend OBR to any Rotarian, Rotary clubs or District. We are also approaching individuals, Corporations. Foundation and governments to for support in programs and staff development. We will again appreciate any contacts or links that you may advance for/to us. We shall keep you posted on further developments.

Heather Rhodes

We are lucky too to have Heather coming to volunteer her expertise from August to December 2008. Heather is a former instructor at Outward Bound New Zealand.

While here, she will assist in administration, program development, training policies and procedures development, area reconnaissance and Board development.

We are happy to have Heather around to live work with us.

Staff Development

We are at an advanced stage in discussing the implementation of a ‘Hybrid’ staff development program. The ‘Hybrid’ model for Outward Bound Rwanda’s staff development has two parts, which complement each other and develop a full range of skills among staff: 

• Technical and facilitation skills training program offered on location at OBSA for 4 months. This
• Rwanda - specific training; facilitating in conflict and trauma contexts, peace building, site-specific technical training and operations, and developing program experience for 2 months.

The staff development plan will run in phases of 2 staff per phase, in order to allow OB Rwanda to build its capacity at a rate that is sustainable. 

We shall let you know of more developments in the next issue.

Keep supporting us.

OBR is pursuing a Rotary Matching grants through the Rotary Club of Virunga Kigali. A significant number of clubs have pledged their involvement thus far. The grant is for purchase of training equipment. We are keen to succeed in this. We need commitment from more clubs in the international network for be involved. We will appreciate if you could recommend OBR to any Rotarian, Rotary clubs or District.

We are also approaching individuals, Corporations. Foundation and governments to for support in programs and staff development. We  will again appreciate any contacts or links that you may advance for/to us.

We shall keep you posted on further developments.

ONWARD