Naïades in Rwanda
In 2016 nine new Naiades have been shipped to Rwanda and they have been installed at schools throughout the country. Quota Club International Zeist and Soroptimistclub Zeist fundraised to support this project. In 2018 and 2019 a further eight Naiades were shipped to Rwanda and in 2023 seven units and spare parts were sent to Rwanda and these 15 units were funded by Stichting Hulpverlening Quota Zeist.
The Naiades can be found at the following institutions:
- Gisenyi, Rambo Primary and Secundary School
- Gisenyi, Busoro Groupe Scholaire
- Kigali, Kagarama Secundary School
- Nyirangarama, Tara Groupe Scholaire
- Nyirangarama, Sina Gerard Groupe Scholaire
- Nyamata Primary School
- Nemba Primary School
- Rwamagana, Gahini Community
- Kininya, Hope and Peace initiative
- Nyabihu school for the deaf
- Rwamagana, Groupe Scholaire Saint Bernardin Kitazigurwa
- Musasa, Muhoro Primary School St. Jean Bosco
- Umutara School for the deaf
- Kayonza, Hope Eden School
- Groupe Scholaire Gituza
- Groupe Scholaire Rkakantasha
- Groupe Scholaire Kamwambi
- Groupe Scholaire Rugobwe
- Ecole Primaire Bushesi
- Groupe Scholaire Sheke
- Nyamata, Nibakure Community Village
Before 2016 Soroptimistclub Nijmegen in The Netherlands donated nine units. Impala Foundation is maintaining these Naiades as well. However, the models are quite old, and it is not always possible to repair them. Some Naiades have been replaced by new units and some units were no longer required. The Naiades can be found at the following institutions:
- Gisenyi Women’s Centre
- Gisenyi Groupe Scholaire (removed/not functioning)
- Musanze, Ecole Regina Pacis (removed/not functioning)
- Kigali, Lycee de Notre Dame de Citeaux
- Kanombe, San Marco (replaced by a new unit)
- Muhanga, Bukomero Groupe Scholaire
- Huye, Petite Seminaire Baptiste
- Kibungo, Les Hirondelles
- Rwamagana, Hospital for Nursery and midwifery
During the pandemic in 2021 and 2022 the borders of the provinces in Rwanda were closed which made it impossible to offer any maintenance or service to the Naiades outside Kigali. The local maintenance technician would be able to travel to other provinces, but he would not be allowed to return.
In 2023 seven Naiades and spare parts were shipped to Rwanda. The Naiades were installed in 2024. The funds were acquired from Stichting Hulpverlening Quota Zeist.
2019 – 2024
Fundraising for the Naiades was very successful in the period before the pandemic. Impala Foundation was supported by service club Quota Zeist e.o. as they actively helped with the fundraising. All the funds raised have been handed over to Impala Foundation and have been used to buy Naiades.
The goal Impala Foundation and Quota Zeist set was to raise sufficient funds to buy, transport, import and maintain 20 Naiades. The goal was reached in 2024 when seven units were installed bringing the total number of units up to over twenty. In 2016 nine units were sent and in 2018 and 2019 four units were sent. Some of the units were used to replace older units funded by Soroptimists before 2016. The present situation is that twenty-three units were funded by Impala Foundation. These units were used to replace old or malfunctioning units (including replacing several units initially funded by the Soroptimists) and installed in new schools, hospitals and community centers. Impala Foundation still provides maintenance for several units which have been installed prior to 2016.
In 2023 an agreement was entered into with Eastinco Ltd. Rwanda as they became a maintenance partner. Eastinco agreed to funding spare parts and labor needed for maintenance and travel costs of the maintenance technician. Impala Foundation is very grateful for the local support.
2025 onwards
Since the initial goal of installing a minimum of twenty Naiades has been reached and over twenty Naiades have been installed, Impala foundation will focus on maintaining the existing units. This means that the remaining funds will be used for costs not refunded under the agreement with Eastinco, for example cost of security fences for the Naiades and training of local maintenance technicians. The number of Naiades stretches the capacity for maintenance and inspection of the Naiades by the technician. This and next year will be used to evaluate the available capacity and after this period it will be decided whether or not more units may be installed.
