Community Corner

Esther Harder Takes a Journey to Africa

Member of Pittsburgh Mennonite Church in Swissvale will head the English department at a girls' boarding school in Rwanda.

Esther Harder is connecting her faith and work in a new position across continents.

A member of the Pittsburgh Mennonite Church in Swissvale, Harder, 29, of Point Breeze will take a journey to Africa to work as the head of the English department for a Rwanda Girls Initiative project, a boarding school designed to give young female students a path to success in education and life.

"I spent four years working with the Mennonite Central Committee in Uganda and it motivated me to come back to the area and continue to work with female students," Harder said. "This does have a similar vision and similar goals of what the Mennonites want to accomplish."

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A member of a church known for its peace and social justice values, Harder said the Rwanda Girls Initiative is linking United States based universities with Rwandan and Ugandan teachers to build the Gashora Girls Academy outside of the capital, which will house 270 students.

The school's goals include helping to foster young, confident leaders who will be armed with the tools needed to enhance economic stability and empowerment in Rwanda.

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The school will have a focus on science and technology in the hopes of getting more women involved in those male-dominated fields.

Harder said attending the school will give young girls a chance to focus on their work and career.

"It's a girls' boarding school for 10th through 12th graders because we help with keeping the girls somewhere they can sleep and won't have the household duties they would usually have at home," Harder said.

Harder leaves for Rwanda Jan. 2. When she arrives, a month-long orientation will begin before the school opens and the students arrive.

Pittsburgh Mennonite Church Pastor John Bender said the congregation is excited about Harder's new role.

"Our plans for lending support would be around regular prayer and also she will be sending us  email newsletters and updates on activities she is involved in and different ways we can support her," Bender said.

Harder said she is looking forward to the work, especially because it will help young girls in all aspects their lives.

"I am very excited about getting back into East Africa and being able to work again with girls education and I am so glad it's holistic," Harder said. "I enjoy developing a class where students feel respected and honored and it's more of a nurturing atmosphere. "


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