Through great efforts by individual players, and their extensive contacts in rugby, a considerable amount of rugby and children’s kit was collated and distributed by the King Penguins during their visit to Rwanda in June 2014.

In summary this amounted to well in excess of 1500 items, including 150 coaching booklets/videos, 75 balls, 12 full sets of strips, 10 pumps (to prevent trips to garages!), and 8 first-aid kits.

• The adult rugby kit and coaching equipment were distributed through the President of the Federation of Rwandan Rugby, Dr Otto Muhinda, (ottovianney@gmail.com).
• A wide collection of studs, a First Aid Kit, and two head guards for the National Team were distributed through David Hughes (dhughes@jadewater.hk)
• The youths´ rugby kit and equipment were distributed through the Rugby Development Officers who are funded by Friends of Rwandan Rugby (FoRR), http://friendsofrwandanrugby.com, (any inquiries to Deena Aiken, deena@friendsofrwandanrugby.org.uk)
• Childrens´ clothing and a set of T-shirts were given to the Rwanda Orphans Project, http://www.rwandanorphansproject.org (any inquiries to Sean Jones sjones@rwandanorphansproject.org) who has a team coached by FoRR.

Additionally:

Through money donated by North Berwick RFC when Keith Wallace spoke at their dinner, in addition to funding first aid kits for the national team and Development Officers, studs for the National Team and a bag to carry supplementary gear will be purchased. The remaining money will fund one year of essential injury cover for the National Team.

The King Penguins paid for the Orphanage Kids to have a day out supporting us at the National Stadium bringing us all a fantastic experience and resulting in a delightful note from Sean at the Orphanage:

“Thanks for your kind words and you all so much for your great visit and for bringing our boys out to the stadium. For many of them it was their first time visiting the national stadium and they had a great time cheering you guys on. As I told you it's thanks in large part to individuals and clubs like the King Penguins that we are able to help all these wonderful kids.”

The King Penguins also raised money for an injured National Team player, funding his healthcare for three years. Also, John McKittrick pledged to see if his New Zealand contact might be able to arrange for the players treatment there (in NZ). His flight from Rwanda to NZ for treatment will be funded by several King Penguins. Hopefully any treatment will allow him to eventually get back to work and to support his family.

A big thanks to all the King Penguins who donated, bought and gathered items. And a very special thanks to the following organisations for their generosity in donating and almost overwhelming amount of kit and clothing: ·

• Scottish Rugby Union (Grant McKelvey)
• Harlequins Rugby Club (Howard Graham)
• Watsonians Football Club and George Watson’s College (David Harris, John Kerr, Yuill Irvine)
• Haddington Rugby Football Club (Keith Wallace)
• North Berwick Rugby Football Club (Ian Dove)
• Aitken & Niven (David Ferguson)
• Canterbury (George Breckenridge)

This will be of immense benefit to Rwandan Rugby and you have made a lot of kids very happy! A full list of the donations is available by clicking this link - Rwanda Donations

Kamanda from FoRR with the some of the donated kit.

Some of the Regional Development Officers with the equipment.

A youth team in their strips kindly donated by Watsonians FC.