National Geographic

UWC Red Cross Nordic graduate Muyambi Muyambi (2005-2007) from Uganda – who we knew as Dickson – is currently featured in the online National Geographic as part of the interview series with their ‘Travelers of the Year’.

From RCN Muyambi attended Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and it is wonderful to hear that he is now working in Washington DC and doing so well.

From the National Geographic article by George Stone:
Photo by Cade Martin

The Pedal Pushers

Where most people see a bike, Muyambi Muyambi and Molly Burke see potential. Their organization, Bicycles Against Poverty, uses a microfinance model to distribute bikes in rural Uganda, turning what would be a three-hour walk into a swift spin to health clinics, markets, and schools.

“I’m from southern Uganda, but grew up traveling often to the north, an area deeply affected by war,” says 24-year-old Muyambi. “Traveling showed me how people lived, and it revealed their struggles.” Muyambi found a way to make a difference while studying at Pennsylvania’s Bucknell University, where he met Burke. Together, they developed their nonprofit, which distributes bikes to low-income entrepreneurs who make monthly payments of about $3 to cover half the price of a bike. The organization, which has issued more than 660 bikes so far, then provides workshops in financial management.

While looking to expand their program, the cyclophiles raise funds through their annual 3,200-mile bike tour across the U.S. It’s not easy—Muyambi works as a civil engineer in Washington, D.C., and Burke draws no salary from the organization. Says Muyambi, “It’s amazing to feel you’re contributing to the people you love, the country you love, and the world you love—because they are all connected.”

Read the full interview here.

2018-10-16T09:33:57+01:00October 11th, 2013|

Healthy Lifestyle Day

On 1st October we held a Healthy Lifestyle Day at the College. The goal of the day was to provide students with training, ideas, discussions, and options so they can be the best students they can be while at RCN. Another aim was to provide different tools that can help to have, and maintain, a healthy lifestyle.

During the day we had workshops about relaxation and mindfulness; sleep deprivation; anxiety prevention; healthy eating; active listening; yoga and fitness. The were opportunities for dance, tai chi, trust games and friendly football (the new ballrink is getting a lot of use!) and music making – and much more.
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Dr. Eirik Fismen, the director of the Haugland Rehabilitation Centre gave a well-received talk to the students and we were fortunate to have alumnus Grzegorz Więcław (RCN 2004-06) visit the College to deliver a talk to the students. It is wonderful when graduates return to the College to share their experience and expertise. Grzegorz completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology and Communications at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia (Canada) and holds a European Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology from the University of Jyväskylä in Jyväskylä, Finland. He is now based in Gliwice, Poland with his own consulting firm.

His talk was titled “We Are Made To Move” and addressed the idea that exercise and physical activity is not just a possibility for everyone but is an essential part of our nature and we ignore it at our peril. Having been a student here he understands the demands of the UWC program and was able to give concrete advice on how to see the campus as a place full of opportunity for physical activity.

We also had workshops for the staff, and a presentation to the students, from Dick Moore and Jessica McKoen. Dick, formerly an English teacher, a House Mentor and latterly a principal of a co-educational day and residential school for almost 23 years is an Associate Trainer for the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust (a trust established in the UK to equip young people to look after their mental well-being) and is a Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Jessica, formerly a mental health practitioner and social worker, has run her own training company for the last thirteen years. She has been a senior lecturer at Middlesex University, London, and teaches Community Mental Health Care. She was one of the first instructors for Youth Mental Health First Aid.

We were very grateful to all who organized the day – with its speakers and workshops, and to Dr. Fismen, Grzegorz, Dick and Jessica for coming to spend some days with us.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

2018-10-16T09:33:58+01:00October 1st, 2013|

Fondo de la Mariposa

Åge Aleksandersen, a living legend in Norwegian rock’n roll, has set up a fund for Nicaraguan musicians, “Fondo de la Mariposa”, which gives monetary help to young musicians and bands in Nicaragua to help develop their musical careers. This year the band “CulturaFolk” was awarded the grant and our first-year student Marja Siu is the vocalist of this band!

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Marja on stage during the concert in Oslo to receive the award

Marja Siu joining Åge Aleksandersen on stage in Oslo to receive a grant award

She was invited to the official ceremony on September 15th and 16th at Åge Alexandsersen’s concerts in Oslo. Marja received the official prize’s diploma on stage to tremendous applause.

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“The experience was overwhelming. I thank the College, Åge and his family for making this opportunity possible” was Marja’s comment on return to campus.

Congratulations from all of us, Marja!

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2018-10-16T09:33:58+01:00September 25th, 2013|
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