In August and September 2008 Lorna McIntosh led a group of volunteers who went to Rwanda to help in the process of expanding the building of the Alpha Community Academy, a primary school in Kigali.

For all but one of the youth team and some of the leaders this was their first trip to Africa. Prior to leaving, the team had some training in cross-cultural interactions.

The team helped on the building site under the supervision of the local builders, worked in the nursery with the children and helped in the categorisation of the library in a local college.

They also had a trip to a game park, attended a weekend youth conference and played football!

To see more about the Alpha Community Academy go to: http://oewcompassion.com/alpha.aspx 

On their return Lorna commented on how the training had helped them during their time in Rwanda. 

"The training session covered many of the situations which the young people came in touch with daily on their trip. It helped them realise that when something isn't 'normal' this does not mean that it is wrong. They were encouraged during the training to see things as 'different' but just as acceptable. This was very valuable and without this training our team may have been rude, insulting or ungracious without meaning to. Because of the training they mixed well and their interaction with everyone they met was excellent."