In 2000, only 58% of children in Africa were enrolled in primary schools, the lowest enrollment rate of any nation. Africa has more than 40 million children; thus, almost 17 million school-age children receive no schooling. Schools in Africa often lack many basic facilities especially in poor areas or in small villages. Ivory Coast, in spite of great efforts by the government to support public education, still struggles with grossly inadequate school facilities and personnel. This situation is due, not only to the population being generally poor, but also to the fact that school infrastructure often simply does not exist. Children are sometimes required to walk a great distance in order to attend a school. If they cannot arrange their attendance or assure regular attendance, they often choose simply to abandon the educational ideal.
Based on this reality, the Ivory Coast 2008 RYS project will focus its service on the educational needs of the village of Amanvi, in the locality of Tanda (eastern region).
Volunteers from diverse countries and religious backgrounds will render service to restore an old school built in 1950. Our hope is that, with the completion of this restoration project, the school will finally accommodate 500 children.
We are seeking youth from 18-30 years old to join this project.
The Religious Youth Service is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986 to give opportunities to young religious people to live and work together as a community. It is an experiential, service-learning project with a special focus on developing personal leadership and peacemaking skills. Through living and providing altruistic service within a community, RYS participants demonstrate that it is possible for our global human family to live together in peace and co-prosperity.
RYS is also an opportunity for people to express and further deepen their faith, as well as share their best qualities with others. Through our program, many have expanded their understanding of themselves and others and become true "Youth Ambassadors for Peace". The RYS experience has become a first step in volunteer activity for many youth that has opened the door to a lifetime of service.
