Dictionary Aid

Volunteers from the Conservative party are to distribute 2000 English dictionaries to teachers in Rwanda in order to help with the teaching and subsequent development of the language in the country.

Rwanda, which joined the Commonwealth in 2009, has previously been more inclined to the French language as it is a former Belgian colony. The Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, is purported to be influential in this move as he blames France for influencing the Hutu genocide of 1994.

The volunteers have been going to Rwanda every year since 2007 as part of Project Umubano where they have taught, amongst other subjects, English, law and business skills. Tory whip, Stephen Crabb, describes some of the reasons for the dictionaries being sent to teachers and school examiners ‘The government of Rwanda has taken a strategic decision to move to an Anglophone based economy and education system. That fits in with the Commonwealth. That ties in with their national vision of becoming a middle income country by 2020. The education work we are doing fits into that in a small way.’

He feels that a country such as Rwanda is a good starting point for such a project as it an African country with no colonial ties to Britain. The project has also been extended to Sierra Leone. Says Crabb ‘The Sierra Leone component is doubling in size this year, responding to specific requests we have received from inside the country with our partners on the ground. We will be expanding the justice work with our team of lawyers and also putting in volunteers with medical expertise.’

The distribution of dictionaries demonstrates the need to assist in developing countries’ welfare. Although this may be seen by some as a small gesture, the development of the English language in such a country could do a lot to further their social and economic climate. It is widely accepted that those who have English language skills will have greater opportunities for employment in the English speaking world.

This will contribute to the country’s financial welfare, through taxes etc. It is perhaps a good example of what developed countries can do to further developing countries’ welfare. Taken as a pilot scheme, it should be admired. Not just because of aid from the UK, but as a trend setter for other countries in a similar position to offer help.