“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10.

The “Front Door” to Muhabura University is Nearing Completion

The 26-acre site of Muhabura University is a former military base in Musanze, Rwanda. This land was given to Muhabura University by President Paul Kagame, a gift that is a reflection of his desire to see significant advancements in higher education.

In order to secure the property and to enlighten the community to the blessing that this institution will be, the front fence and main campus entry, our “front door,” is being constructed first. The scale of the two and a half-story entrance columns reflect the enormity of establishing a university from the ground up—construction, curriculum, faculty, staff, programming, everything—all being established from the ground up. This project will be a blessing to the community, the students and faculty and to all of Rwanda.

Join the Blessing

With the entrance nearing completion, it is time to move inside to begin renovations on existing structures. The campus has 13 existing buildings, seven of which will be renovated to serve as classrooms, dorms, offices, work spaces and a cafeteria. The first phase of renovation on four existing buildings needs to begin in January 2010 and will cost $250,000.

Renovation of existing facilities allows Muhabura to begin operations in the most economical manner possible. Next year we will renovate additional structures at a cost of $130,000. The staff of Bridge2Rwanda and Muhabura University encourages you to join in the blessing. You can invest in the renovation by clicking on the home page tab: “Donate.”

Construction and Academic Teams Wanted

If simply donating does not get you close enough to the action, then consider joining a “construction team” or an “academic team.” Muhabura University will begin to host construction teams in January 2010. These teams will focus on landscaping, light construction and carpentry.

Then, beginning in March and April of the same year, Muhabura will host “academic teams” that will help to set-up classrooms, computer networks and offices.

Bridge2Rwanda is mobilizing two graduates from Clemson University to help with construction management and coordination of work teams. You can also help by supporting these graduates, Kevin and Mark, by going to the Bridge2Rwanda ‘borrowed talent” page and making a donation.

The Future is Bright

Hope is what sets Rwanda apart. People from the highest levels of government down to those living the most basic village life, are full of hope for the future. Rwanda is asking for your help. Allow Muhabura University to be your “front door” to Rwanda. Investors and work teams are needed for every future phase.

Construction Phasing and Population Growth

Time                     Project                                                          Population                    Cost

2009-2010       Renovation                                             75 Students              $251,250

2010-2011            Renovation                                                  225 Students                $130,000

2011-2012            Leadership, Dorm, Infrastructure           525 Students               $4,361,298

2012-2013            Business, Dorm, Infrastructure               825 Students               $3,662,500

2013-2014            Student Center, Dorm, Site                       1,050 Students           $3,300,000

2014-2015            Library, Chapel, Dorm                                1,200 Students          $3,886,992

Total Cost of Construction                                                                                              $15,592,040

Bridge2Rwanda and Bishop John Rucyahana are launching the Muhabura University Capital Campaign—a campaign that supports this private institution dedicated to creating a generation of well educated, entrepreneurial servant leaders in Rwanda. The Capital Campaign’s initial focus will be in two areas:

1. Establish an undergraduate program on the 25-acre Musanze campus with outstanding schools of Leadership, Business, and Engineering.

2. Create a certified Professional Training Program in Kigali, focused on the business fields critical to the emerging Rwandan economy.

Rwandan Government Donates Land and Buildings

From the beginning, Bishop John Rucyahana’s vision for Muhabura University (MU) received the support and encouragement of President Paul Kagame and the government of Rwanda.  The government has provided a parcel of land in Musanze on which to build the undergraduate campus. Formally a military base, the property has many buildings with strong foundations that will be renovated for classroom, office and living spaces. Renovating these buildings will allow for the university to realistically provide a great beginning to a long future of educating young Rwandan leaders. Renovation is the first step in the master building plan which can be seen on the Bridge2Rwanda and MU websites.

Bridge2Rwanda Currently Seeking $1.6 Million to Fund Class of 2014

The Class of 2014 will begin coursework on the MU campus in August 2010. Opening with 75 students, MU is dedicated to each individual student and their academic success. University administration understands the needs of Rwanda and it is their mission to equip each of these students with the tools necessary to become a servant leader. B2R estimates that an initial investment of $1.6 million is required to renovate the campus, develop curriculum and hire faculty and staff.

Four Year Projections Require Bridge2Rwanda to Raise $10 Million

Over the period of four years, B2R projects the student population will grow to 1200, with the focus of MU leadership remaining on the personal achievement of each student.  Included in this goal of $10 million is both the cost of operation and construction.

President Kagame Funds First Professional Training Program (ESL)

Recently, to accelerate the teaching of English, the president requested that Muhabura’s Professional Training Program develop and offer English as a Second Language (ESL) and TOEFL (English proficiency exam) preparation for Rwanda’s best students, teachers and civil servants. President Kagame made a commitment to provide the necessary infrastructure and funding to make this program a success.

Through the Professional Training Program, MU will partner with both the Rwandan government and business community to improve the skill set of the country’s workforce by providing a variety of practical training courses and experiences.

Bridge2Rwanda Needs Your Gifts

The Muhabura University Capital Campaign is committed to connecting and engaging a diverse group of partners including successful businesspeople and professionals, families, students, universities, churches, corporations, and foundations. The nation of Rwanda offers a rare opportunity to serve, to love, and to use the God-given gifts of time, talent, and treasure by building an institution of higher learning that can transform lives in Rwanda, Africa and the world for generations to come. Bridge2Rwanda encourages all to consider how they can make an investment in Rwanda’s future through MU and its mission of equipping the next generation of servant leaders.

Recently the World Bank’s Doing Business Report ranked Rwanda the leader for developing economies as a place to do business. Bridge2Rwanda visited with Dan Vogel, a recent B2R “borrowed talent” member, to see how he and the Rwandan Development Board (RDB) worked this past year to make this ranking a reality.

RDB Dedicated to Business Growth
From its inception, the RDB, a government institution which is responsible for tackling the most urgent problems and opportunities affecting the country’s economic growth, made the Doing Business rankings one of its top priorities.

“We were charged with making Rwanda an easier place to do business, and the World Bank rankings are the definitive measure for evaluating a country’s business climate,” Vogel said. “I knew Rwanda would move up in the rankings, but we exceeded everyone’s expectations by jumping 76 spots.”

Rwanda’s movement in rank actually represents the largest improvement that any country has ever achieved in the Doing Business rankings. This is an incredible accomplishment and testament to Rwanda’s dedication to improve their economy and standard of living.

Higher Education Key in Attracting Business
The RDB is trying to create conditions ideal for private sector growth, job creation and the expansion of opportunities for all Rwandans. As President Kagame has said many times, the country needs business investment that will grow the private sector and create more jobs.
Knowing the importance of education to attracting business, the president has committed to making Muhabura University a reality. Teaching practical skills and knowledge through a well-developed curriculum will create a well educated workforce, provide more job opportunities for Rwandans, and help to bring Rwanda out of poverty.

The years following the 1994 genocide in Rwanda have been years of transformation, reform and rebirth, making Rwanda one of the most promising countries in Africa today. But now, more than ever, Rwanda is poised for a resurgence that can only be made possible by building up servant leaders and entrepreneurs. To do this, Muhabura University and Rwanda need your help.

The Nation’s Leaders are Well Respected.

Many of Rwanda’s leaders, including President Paul Kagame and Bishop John Rucyahana, who grew up as refugees, returned to rebuild their country and transform the nation into what it is becoming today. These leaders are well educated, responsible global citizens, committed to making Rwanda a model of reconciliation, democracy and free market enterprise.

The Nation is Becoming the Hope of Africa.

Today, Rwanda is considered one of the safest, cleanest, least corrupt and fastest growing economies in the continent. Tourism and construction are booming; broadband internet availability and cell phone coverage are expanding; healthcare and food production are improving. Rwanda’s parliament is the only one in the world where the majority of members are women.

In a continent where poverty, disease and violence have left millions in despair, Rwanda’s rebirth encourages others and demonstrates the power of servant leadership, forgiveness and the human spirit. While the road to prosperity is a long one, international development experts and entrepreneurs are drawn to the country by the belief that today Rwanda offers their new ventures the greatest opportunity for success.

God is Blessing the Nation.

People of all faiths attribute Rwanda’s miraculous rebirth to the work of the Divine Spirit and are drawn to become part of it. Many observe that it is just like God to choose the most abandoned and devastated of countries to demonstrate His love and power. President Kagame has declared Rwanda a “purpose-driven nation.”

“I think God is blessing Rwanda and God is going to use Rwanda to change the world.”

- Pastor Rick Warren,

Saddleback Church, P.E.A.C.E. Plan, Author of The Purpose Driven Life, and Muhabura University Board Member