AN Okehampton couple have recently returned from Rwanda, with the couple visiting the country to carry out work with two different charitable organisations.

County Councillor Kevin Ball visited the country to work with Rwanda Legacy of Hope, a charity involved in re-building communities in the country. Cllr Ball’s wife Della, who is a sister in Derriford Hospital’s neurology theatres, visited Rwanda to work with Operation Hernia, a charity specialising in doing hernia operations in the third world and developing countries.

Rwanda Legacy of Hope manages a variety of projects including supporting ladies in a sewing project where they make coloured bags. They also build toilets in rural communities, help young people within sport and also sponsor health insurance for the lowest earners – costing around 4,000 Rwandan francs per person, which is about £4.

The two largest projects it runs are the education and health projects which Della and Kevin were involved in. In partnership with Rwanda Legacy of Hope, Operation Hernia received funding to provide neurological support in the University Central Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) in Kigali.

Della worked with a consultant anaesthetist and a consultant surgeon from Derriford. They conducted a number of difficult operations on patients with brain tumours.

Five patients were treated, one per day in particularly long and complex procedures. The country only has two neurological consultants, so difficult decisions have to be made in regards as to who receives treatment.

This visit was the start of a long term plan for Operation Hernia to work with Rwanda Legacy of Hope to train new neurological surgeons.

Kevin’s role during his time in Rwanda was to work for Rwanda Legacy of Hope as part of their education project. His role was to install a number of computers in a village called Butamwa, just on the outskirts of Kigali.

The computer equipment was donated to the project by Plymouth College of Art and Design. Kevin raised almost £5,000 to cover the costs of the shipping and the connection to the internet by a 3G router.

The projects are completed with support from the Rwandan government and local authorities. The computer project will have a local administrator, Jose, to oversee the project.

Cllr Ball said: ‘I was supported by a number of people within the community, who generously gave towards the project. I couldn’t have done it without that support. The longer term projects include Rwanda Legacy of Hope building a new school and a new hospital, so watch this space!’