A recent New York Times article stated, “In the early 1990’s, Rwanda reinforced all the worst stereotypes of Africa:  wretchedly poor, torn apart by war and seemingly destined to be an international basket case forever.  Yet now it is becoming the little nation that could.  It is clean, safe and enjoying economic growth more than twice as fast as the USA or Europe. 

Where ever you go in Rwanda people know about the 20/20 vision program of President Paul Kagame who has his sights set on developing Rwanda into a High Tech society – which he describes as the Singapore of Africa.  President Kagame proclaims, “We are no longer Hutu’s and Tutsi’s.  We are one people, speaking one language with one goal – to become the finest nation in all of Africa.  Recently, during a visit by Rick Warren, author of the Purpose Driven Life, President Kagame announced, “We want to become the first purpose driven nation in the world.

Responding to the goal of a High Tech nation, businessman Gaylord Layton, member of the board of Global Connection International launched an initiative in 2006 to establish a state of the art Computer Technology Center at Sonrise orphanage and boarding school located in Ruhengeri Province of Rwanda.

In less than a decade Bishop John Rucyahana has established the Sonrise Orphanage and Boarding School for students 8 – 18 years of age – many of whom lost their parents in the genocide of 1994.  Recently named the number one school in Rwanda, Sonrise School represents an example of the future and hope for Rwanda.  Sonrise School has demonstrated the ability to provide “Values based education” for young people orphaned by civil wars.

Gaylord Layton’s dream is now a reality with 186 computers and teaching staff committed to training future young leaders to graduate with the skills to enter the business and political community ready to make a difference in their society.  Recently Dr. Pierre Claver, a graduate in Business Administration from the University of Quebec was installed as the Dean of the Computer Technology Center.