A Brief History

Maralyn Bambridge founded Engalynx in 1998 to relieve the suffering of orphans of the Rwandan genocide. 

The aid was to be of a practical nature, bringing comfort and helping to educate these unfortunate children. 

The Charity registered with the Charity Commission in 2003.

Maralyn Bambridge

 Patron

ACHIEVEMENTS 

1.      Education & Social Support.  With the aid of goods sent from Engalynx between 1998 and 2002,    

      it has been possible for the PASSEVU organisation in Gisenyi to set up three nursery Schools, two

      junior libraries, a music and dance troupe, 12 football teams, computer classes, three  volleyball teams,

      three basket ball teams, cycling competitions, table tennis teams, a play room  for young children,

      swimming activities in Lake Kivu and tennis games.  These projects help orphaned children forget,

      for a short time, the miserable plight of their lives, and also helps foster friendships between themselves. 

Beneficiaries:  Approximately 350 orphans under the age of 16.

2.      Home Help:  During 2003 and 2004, goats were provided for 150 child headed families in Gitarama

      Province bringing to the children a degree of security and comfort previously unknown. 

      In 2005, a further 230 goats were supplied to similar families in Gikongoro.  Gift Tokens for the goats

      are available at £12.50 each.

Beneficiaries:  380 families.

2003 also saw the shipment of eleven pallets of practical aid to Rwanda.

Beneficiaries:  85 child headed families in Gitarama. (Mainly clothes, blankets and toys)

3.      Health

In the Spring of 2004 a shipment of two pallets of sheets, blankets, pillowcases and baby clothes were

despatched and in the Autumn, the first container of hospital equipment, kindly donated by the Order of Orthodox Hospitallers and valued in excess of £500,000.00 was sent.

Beneficiary:  Kibuye Hospital via the Ministry of Health, Rwanda to aid the whole province. Three binocular

Microscopes, kindly donated to Engalynx by Witham Rotary Club, were delivered to the Medical Training School in Gisenyi, together with Stethoscope and other simple medical aids. Delivered May 2004.  At the

same time 600 plastic plates were supplied to the Training School for the use of the students – they had previously taken their meals out of washing-up bowls, ten students to one bowl.

Beneficiaries:  869 Students at the training school.

There are many things that need doing for the children and one of the most important is Health

Insurance.  For just 6000 Rwandan Francs per family per year we can obtain treatment for AIDS

families through RAMA Health Insurance Scheme.  (6000Rwf = £6.52 at the current exchange rate;

allowing for Bank transfer costs we need £7.00 per family).  I am, therefore, appealing once

more for individuals, churches or groups to insure a family.  To ensure all the aid reaches the

intended consignee, the founder regularly visits Rwanda, together with maintaining contact with

representatives of the Government in Rwanda, the British Embassy in Rwanda, and the Rwandan

Ambassador in London.  Equally, builders etc. are always paid directly from England and the work is

monitored.

Maralyn on one of her visits to the region.

Registered Charity No 10099700