Rwanda Diaspora House – UK Project
By Jonathan Kalisa Kalemera, Chairman, RDH Project Taskforce
Our community has grown rapidly in number over the last few years. However, we all recognise that if we want to grow in strength then we need to do more things that develop us than we are doing at the moment. We have a lot of talented people among us who can share their talents and we can attract some more. However, we cannot do this if we have no place where we can meet regularly.
A few months ago at a community barbecue we agreed that we should work to get ourselves a place where we can meet and also carry our social, educational and economic activities. We would do this by getting contributions. Effectively everyone who contributes would be recognised by having their name written on the wall of the hall. They could also have a name of a loved one also written on the memory wall, perhaps as a memorial. As we are looking for around £500,000 we are seeking a minimum contribution of £150 per name.
This is an exciting opportunity to take a bold step which many other African Communities have already taken and we hope that you will give your support to this.
If you want to know more about our mission, vision and objectives please see below.
Mission:
To create a hub for the Rwandan Community in order to create and support a cohesive and dynamic community that is well integrated in the UK society in order to develop its members culturally, socially, educationally and economically.
Vision:
The Rwandan Community having a centre in which it can hold events, develop programmes for all ages that create a self-confident community that is connected with Rwanda and plays its full part in the greater UK community and internationally.
Objectives:
To find and acquire a property for the Rwanda community with the following characteristics:
- Size – to accommodate 500 people with offices & convertible into room space.
- Location - London
- Type of tenure – At lease 10 years lease.
- Estimated cost – Approximately £500,000.
To ensure that the centre will provide a variety of events and activities including:
- National events
- Training including: language training (Kinyarwanda, English), Kinyarwanda dancing.
- Lectures and seminars (including Rwanda history and culture awareness).
- Hire for weddings, etc.
- Health campaigns
- A permanent exhibition of Rwanda products for export.
- Host welfare campaigns
- Host fitness training e.g. yoga, martial arts, etc.
- Information and drop-in centre.
- Translation services.
- As a point of reference for any research on Rwandan issues.
- Fundraising events.
- Fashion and other shows.
