Transforming futures: Philly’s Place opens in Bugesera, offering free enrichment programmes for children
By Alice Umutesi, The New Times
Samantha Hunt, in collaboration with her school in England, Sandhurst School, and Survivors Fund (SURF), officially opened Philly’s Place in Ntarama Sector, Bugesera District, on August 19.
Philly’s Place serves not as a regular school but as a vibrant space for children to access educational resources after school, on weekends, and during school holidays. The centre offers enrichment programmes in subjects including English, math, science, technology, sport, and the arts, alongside life skills like sewing, knitting, and beadwork.
It is also a place where children can enjoy toys, laughter, and play, all while learning through engaging activities.
At the centre’s opening, Samantha reflected on her journey, sharing that her connection with Rwanda began 18 years ago with what was initially intended to be a single visit to the “beautiful land of 1,000 hills.”
However, during that visit, she became involved with and learned about the work of SURF.
“Through this amazing organisation, I had the privilege of meeting survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi – truly the most inspirational and incredible human beings I have ever met.
“This humbling experience changed my life forever and I knew that I would come back to Rwanda, and it would become my second home,” she said.
Later, Samantha was joined on her trips to Rwanda by her beloved mother, Jackie. Together, they formed lifelong friendships with people from the region, feeling fortunate to have bonded with so many they now consider as family.
Over the years Samantha, who is the current Chairwoman of Survivors Fund, has raised in excess of RWF 450,000,000 for survivors. “After our long friendship with people from this community, where I have rebuilt many of the homes, provided many cows and goats, and sponsored many children, four years ago I decided that I wanted to take my long-term commitment to this community to the next level,” she said.
Samantha, from Great Britain, is a teacher and school leader with 34 years teaching experience. She won the Teacher of the Year award and in 2020 received a national honour, the MBE, from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. She said, “I firmly believe in the importance of education to transform life chances and to provide hope for a better future.”
She added: “Four years ago I had a dream to build a centre to benefit children and the whole community.”
Samantha said that while waiting for the permanent facility to be built, the centre’s staff have been operating from a rented building in Nyamata.
“Children are our future. They play the most vital role in building the country for the future, so this centre is for them, but also for this whole community, with all services being offered completely free of charge,” she added.
The centre is named Philly’s Place in honour of her grandmother, Philly.
“As a black woman living in the UK, Philly experienced a lot of racism in her life and she taught me the greatest lesson – the importance of loving and respecting all human beings.
“She loved children and I hope and believe she is looking down from heaven and is feeling proud of this centre which is dedicated in her honour and memory,” she added.
Samantha acknowledged that the centre was a collaborative effort and not something she could have achieved alone. She thanked Sandhurst school’s students and staff and the many donors who supported Philly’s Place from the beginning.
“We are incredibly pleased and proud to present to you Philly’s Place, and we hope that this centre will bring so many blessings to your wonderful community for many years,” she said.
Sam Munderere, Chief Executive SURF expressed his gratitude to the government for facilitating the permits to build the learning centre. He also extended his thanks to Samantha for initiating the idea of bringing children together and for purchasing the land on which Philly’s place was built.
“The centre is not only for children; adults are also welcome to visit and read books if they wish. We will also include Kinyarwanda books.
“Samantha has brought a large collection of 4,500 books, some of which are not found in any other school. These books cater for children of all ages and are of Cambridge standard, meaning that students who come here will benefit greatly,” he added.
Medard Hitimana, a resident and parent in Bugesera, said: “We are deeply thankful to Samantha for all the support she has provided to the community. She arrived at a critical time when everyone was struggling due to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. We were given houses, and now we are happy about this learning centre.
“This centre will help keep our children away from drugs and other harmful activities during the holidays. Many valuable programmes will be offered here to help our children grow and improve. Even the government supports the establishment of these enrichment centres, so this centre is truly timely,” he said.
