Health and Nutrition
MSI believes that students must have adequate healthcare and proper nutrition in order to benefit from education.
Healthcare
MSI is working with physicians at Massachusetts General Hospital and Partners in Health to develop a health screening program. Upon entering an MSI school, each student will receive a full medical exam, appropriate immunizations, and will be tested for common infectious diseases. MSI is very excited to building its first school adjacent to the Partners in Health flagship hospital in Rwinkwavu, Rwanda. Students requiring critical medical care will be referred to the PIH hospital. MSI will monitor the medical care to ensure the students' needs are being addressed.
Nutrition
MSI is working with faculty and students at Harvard School of Public Health to ensure each of its students are receiving proper nutrition. This program will ensure that MSI serves nutritious foods that are culturally appropriate and address any known nutrient deficiencies in the local population. The ongoing nutritional health of each student will be constantly monitored and any problems will be addressed rapidly.
MSI is working very closely with the Rwandan Ministry of Education (MOE) and local government authorities on every aspect of the school. MSI will follow the Rwandan National Curriculum and work with the MOE to identify textbooks and other resources to effectively teach the curriculum.
MSI will also conduct extensive teacher training and educational seminars for their faculty, which will also be made available to government school teachers. This cooperative effort between MSI and the MOE will have a broad impact on the quality of education throughout Rwanda.
MSI also worked closely with the MOE and local government authorities to identify the best location for the school. The village of Rwinkwavu, which is located in Rwanda's poorest province, was identified because of its great need and because it enabled MSI to collaborate with the Partners in Health hospital.
The Rwandan government donated 21 acres of land in Rwinkwavu for the creation of MSI's first school. MSI is thankful for the government's generosity and looks forward to its ongoing work with the MOE and local officials in order to bring about growth and prosperity in the region.