Project trip to Rwanda

Jan. 2023

Drei Männer mit Maskottchen

From local vocational centre to national model school: Supporting the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center Ntarama in taking the next step

Founded in 2008, the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center Ntarama in Rwanda is a leading vocational school in the Bugesera District where young adults learn how to be masons, tailors, craftsmen, and many other occupations. The school has already provided 1.500 young professionals with the tools and skills to navigate the challenges of the 21st century – and now wants to take the next step in its development.

Next steps

After overcoming the immediate challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic with the support of the PATRIZIA Foundation, the vocational school already constructed their own ICT Lab with 40 laptops, printers, and projectors. To ensure that the ICT room has a reliable and affordable source of electricity, the Foundation connected the school to the PartnerAfrica. This program was initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) as part of the Marshall Plan with Africa and the G20 Investment Partnership Compact with Africa with the aim of creating more and better employment opportunities for the rapidly growing young population in Africa. It was out of this idea, that the Handwerkskammer Koblenz came up with an initiative where teachers and students would be trained on how to repair and maintain solar plants in Rwanda. A group of teachers and students from the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center Ntarama have thus been trained to maintain their solar plant self-sufficiently. This means, the school now has constant electrical energy to run and sustain the ICT Lab.

Upon this excellent base, the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center Ntarama wants to build and develop its network of national and international institutions to acquire the needed resources, skills and know-how to become a self-sustaining and model technical secondary school in Rwanda.

To this end, Otto Dodoo visited the school and spend two weeks with the headmaster, teachers, and several institutions in Rwanda to support in connecting the school with various relevant stakeholders in the country.

During this time, the headmaster and Otto met the mayor and responsible persons at the educational unit of the Bugesera District as well as the Director General of the Rwanda Technical and Vocational Education and Training Board (RTB) to discuss further development of the school. Additionally, Otto worked with the school committee regarding their application for the Rhineland-Palatinate and Rwanda school partnership program and met with the executives of a Rwandese solar company focused on inclusive energy production (ARC Power). As part of empowering the school’s management, Otto in accordance with the headmaster also arranged a networking session with the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) in Rwanda to discuss possible funding options.

“The meetings were highly successful! We were able to raise awareness for the needs and wants of the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center Ntarama and establish connections with future-relevant partners”, Otto said, drawing a positive conclusion to the networking efforts.

New cooperations

With the support of Otto, the school was able to secure immediate cooperation with a Rwandese tech company: Zatec Rwanda will initiate a proof-of-concept IT-program to train 10 to 15 students of the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center Ntarama in technical, digital & soft skills critical for a career in the digital world.

“In sum, I can say the trip was a success”, Otto said upon return. “I think we can be proud of the support we provide in Rwanda!” Our sincere gratitude thus goes out to all those supporting the PATRIZIA Foundation. Your contribution makes sustainable digital education accessible to children and young adults around the world!

 

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A Musical Programme with Lasting Impact

Young musicians from the MiSST programme welcomed guest with an opening performance.

Throughout the evening, the students further captivated guests with their performances, including Adoration by Florence Price and selected pieces from The Phantom of the Opera.  

An Evening of Shared Vision and Personal Stories

In his welcoming speech, founder Wolfgang Egger talked about the importance of investing in young people and creating opportunities that allow them to thrive — academically, personally and socially. Ambassador Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber delivered a passionate speech on the importance of protecting arts education in the UK, particularly at a time when music and creative subjects continue to face significant cuts within the school system. He spoke movingly about the responsibility to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to creativity, culture and music education.

Chairwoman of the Board Astrid Gabler, together with Board Member James Muir, reflected on their recent visit to one of the programme’s partner schools. James shared how deeply a passionate music teacher had influenced him during his own school years and how this experience continues to shape his belief in the importance of the support in education infrastructure. 

Rachel Landon, CEO MiSST, brought the programme vividly to life through inspiring footage and powerful stories from participating students, offering guests a meaningful glimpse into the daily impact of the initiative.

 

One of the evening’s most memorable moments came from Rain Spiegel-Johnson, a former participant of the programme, who shared her personal story and reflected on the impact music education has had on her life. Growing up in a low-income household, opportunities to take part in extracurricular arts education were often out of reach, leaving her feeling excluded from experiences many others could access. Through MiSST, however, she discovered a creativity and confidence that had long remained hidden.

Speaking about her experience, she described music not only as a form of artistic expression, but also as a powerful sense of belonging:

“Through music, I discovered not only artistry, but the profound feeling of being part of an ensemble so unified, disciplined and unwaveringly beautiful.”

She also emphasized the broader importance of the programme, calling MiSST “an outstanding microcosm for the future of music and the arts in this country.”

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and our Ambassador, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, for the “Thrive Cubed with Music” evening in support of music education in the UK — and for your shared commitment to creating new opportunities for young people through the power of music!

PATRIZIA Music Programme

With the PATRIZIA Music Programme, the PATRIZIA Foundation continues its commitment to educational support and equal opportunities across Europe. The programme was established to provide children and young people from disadvantaged communities in the United Kingdom with access to high-quality music education and to open new pathways for their personal and academic development. In partnership with MiSST, the programme supports schools in Morecambe and Manchester by providing classical musical instruments, professional music tuition and regular performance opportunities. Over the course of three years, the PATRIZIA Foundation is funding 300 instruments, creating long-term access to cultural education and helping young people build brighter futures through the transformative power of music.

PATRIZIA Music Programme