 See the Lives You’ve Transformed: 2025 GIFTS Rwanda Year in Review As we look back on 2025, we are filled with deep gratitude for you. Your generosity, belief, and partnership have continued to fuel meaningful, lasting change in Rugarika and beyond. Every milestone reached this year—every student supported, every mother empowered, every family strengthened—is possible because you chose to stand with us. Your commitment to the mission of GIFTS Rwanda has helped transform hardship into opportunity and hope. Now, we invite you to reflect on the impact you made in 2025. Because of your compassion, the journey toward dignity, education, and sustainability continues—one life at a time. We are profoundly thankful to walk this road with you. Together, we are building a legacy of hope, resilience, and opportunity. Unwrap Your 2025 Impact Here.  Honoring Our Founder: The Legacy of Shari Shelton In July of 2025, GIFTS Rwanda experienced a profound loss with the passing of our founder, Shari Shelton. Shari’s life was marked by deep compassion, bold faith, and an unwavering belief that sustainable change begins with dignity, relationship, and love. Shari founded GIFTS Rwanda with a simple but powerful vision: to walk alongside communities—not to rescue, but to empower. Her heart for the people of Rugarika shaped every program, every partnership, and every life touched through this work. In honor of Shari’s life and legacy, our community came together in an extraordinary way. Through the Tribute to Founder Shari Shelton campaign, $44,194 was raised—an outpouring of generosity that reflects the depth of her impact and the love so many held for her. While in Rwanda this summer, Al Shelton (Shari’s husband) and I had the honor of participating in a Celebration of Life ceremony in Rugarika. Surrounded by students, mothers, local leaders, and community members, we witnessed firsthand how deeply Shari was loved. The ceremony included songs, prayers, poetry, candlelight, and heartfelt expressions of gratitude from those whose lives were forever changed because she believed in them. Shari’s legacy lives on—in the classrooms filled with students, in the sewing rooms where mothers build new futures, in the community center that brings people together, and in every stitch, harvest, and hopeful step forward. We are committed to carrying her vision forward with integrity, humility, and faith. Thank you for honoring Shari’s life by continuing to invest in the mission she held so dearly.  Together we ran our Giving Tuesday 2025: Empowering Women, Supporting Families campaign and you helped raise $36,236 for the following: ~Safe Housing for Eric & Jacques – $19,500 funded You are helping build a duplex home for Eric and Jacques, two teenage students facing unimaginable hardship and unsafe living conditions. Jacques’ father took his mother’s life and is now serving a life sentence. Jacques was separated from his siblings and currently walks hours each day to get to school. Eric recently lost his mother to cancer and now lives with his siblings and grandparents in extremely difficult conditions. This new home will give them safety, stability, and the support they need to continue in school. Once they are able to secure their own housing as adults, this home will continue serving other vulnerable children and mothers for years to come. Your gift creates generational impact. ~Food Support & Farming Empowerment – $3,300 funded You made it possible to provide food to families in urgent need, including Eric’s siblings, Jean, Rachel, and baby Peace. You also funded land cultivation for five families, giving them the ability to grow their own food and build long-term security. ~Scholarships for 154 Students – $30,000 funded (matched!) Your support ensures we can make the next two tuition payments, in January and April, so that 44 primary students, 101 secondary students, and 9 university students can stay in school. Many of these students have no family support at all. You became their support system yesterday. ~Tailoring Training for 25 Young Women – $2,300 needed to complete funding (and you covered it!) Because of you, 25 young women will finish their tailoring program, receive certificates, and receive their own sewing machines—launching careers that will support their families and uplift their community.   What Your Support Made Possible in 2025 Because of your generosity, GIFTS Rwanda was able to carry out the following projects in 2025—each one directly impacting lives in Rugarika and beyond: ~Community Center Completion & Furnishings Two community center buildings were fully completed in 2025, with final payments made and essential furnishings and equipment purchased to ensure the spaces are functional, welcoming, and ready for community use. Items included curtains, shelves, tables, mats, plastic chairs, a printer, cabinets, and a water tank—creating safe, equipped spaces for meetings, programs, and community gatherings. Total investment: $18,091 ~Education Enabled 150 students to attend school--44 in primary, 101 in secondary, and 5 in university—by providing full tuition, food, uniforms, and school supplies. Total investment: $42,350 ~Health Insurance Provided annual health insurance for 2,104 community members, an increase of 867 people from last year. Staff members Brigitte and Paterne also received comprehensive medical insurance, allowing their families access to medical care nationwide. Total investment: $4,600 ~Food Assistance & Milk Program Provided essential food support (rice, beans, cassava, sugar, cooking oil, and more) to orphaned students Eric, Jean, and Rachel. Continued milk support for Baby Peace, who was found near the GIFTS Rwanda premises. Total investment: $1,640 ~Farming & Nutrition Support Distributed 20 goats, chickens, and rabbits (with pass-on benefits after reproduction). Five families were supported with rented farmland and seeds, and a well-maintained vegetable garden continues to help families prepare balanced meals. Total investment: $4,900 ~Tailoring Program Trained a group of girls who had dropped out of school and young mothers who gave birth at home in tailoring skills, providing them with sewing machines to support sustainable income. Total investment: $5,495 ~Home Construction Provided a safe home, a goat, and access to clean water for a widow of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Total investment: $8,150 ~Women’s Empowerment Supported 20 women with resources and training to improve their livelihoods. These women are now operating sustainably. Total investment: $3,400 ~Hygiene & Clean Water Installed access to clean water, two water tanks, toilets for people with disabilities, and staff toilets at the GIFTS Rwanda site. Total investment: $3,012 ~Learning & Capacity Building Brigitte and Paterne participated in a learning exchange visit to MUSANA Community Development Organization in Uganda to strengthen programs and operations. Total investment: $1,738 ~Office Equipment & Infrastructure Added essential office equipment including cabinets, chairs, desks, and additional supplies to support daily operations. Total investment: $1,321 ~Leadership & Governance Held the legally required General Assembly, where members reviewed progress and strengthened organizational governance. Total investment: $628 ~Government Participation Participated in national programs including Liberation Day and commemorations honoring the innocent victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Total investment: $580 ~Donor Recognition Installed a donor recognition plaque at the GIFTS Rwanda office honoring those who make this work possible. Total investment: $110 ~U.S. Team Site Visit & Partnership Building Annie and Al visited GIFTS Rwanda to strengthen relationships, monitor programs, and support local leadership on the ground. Total investment: $9,141   GIFTS Rwanda: Recognized by the Rwandan Government in 2025 This year, GIFTS Rwanda achieved a milestone few nonprofits ever reach: multiple official recognitions from government leaders at both the district and sector levels. These awards are not just symbolic—they reflect trust, respect, and validation of the life-changing work YOU make possible every day. They reflect years of partnership, accountability, and community-led development across Kamonyi District and Rugarika Sector. ~January 30, 2025 – Kamonyi District Administration GIFTS Rwanda received a Certificate of Recognition honoring the organization’s outstanding contribution to the welfare of citizens throughout the district. The certificate recognized GIFTS Rwanda’s role in implementing impactful projects that foster sustainable development and uplift communities across Kamonyi District. ~August 5, 2025 – Kamonyi District A second Certificate of Recognition was awarded in appreciation of GIFTS Rwanda’s invaluable contribution to improving living conditions within the district. Government leaders acknowledged GIFTS Rwanda’s dedicated efforts and meaningful activities that have significantly promoted community well-being and development. ~August 28, 2025 – Women’s Group Development Recognition GIFTS Rwanda received official recognition (presented in Kinyarwanda) for its work in women’s group development, honoring the organization’s commitment to empowering women through vocational training, income-generating activities, and long-term sustainability initiatives. ~October 15, 2025 – Rugarika Sector Administration GIFTS Rwanda was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of its continued partnership, dedication, and commitment to supporting vulnerable residents of Rugarika Sector. The administration highlighted GIFTS Rwanda’s consistent presence and collaborative approach in serving the most at-risk members of the community. Why This Matters These recognitions are more than certificates—they are a testament to trusted partnerships, local leadership, and donor-supported programs that are creating lasting change. Government validation confirms that GIFTS Rwanda’s work is effective, respected, and deeply rooted in the communities we serve. Because of you, GIFTS Rwanda is not only changing lives—it is earning trust, strengthening systems, and helping shape a sustainable future in Rwanda.  2025 Rwanda Trip — A Journey of Impact, Celebration, and Deep Connection In August of 2025, our hearts led us back to the village of Rugarika, Rwanda. Over six transformative days, we reconnected with community members, celebrated milestones, witnessed courage and resilience, and experienced firsthand the powerful impact your support continues to make. Every step of this journey—documented in our Rugarika Trip 2025 blog series—is a testament to what is possible when compassion meets partnership. Highlights from Our Time in Rugarika: ~A Joyful Return & Warm Reunions We began our journey by reconnecting with long-standing friends and meeting baby Peace—found abandoned near the community center now embraced by a loving Rwandan family. We also saw firsthand the growth of the Community Center, complete with gardens, farm animals, sewing rooms, meeting spaces, a shop for local products, and offices for our in-country team. ~Empowering Women & Celebrating Graduates One of the most powerful days of the trip was the graduation ceremony for the latest New Mom Sewing Group. Close to 500 villagers gathered to celebrate 20 graduates—19 women and 1 young man—each receiving a sewing table and a sewing machine to launch their own businesses. The event included traditional dance, inspiring speeches from local officials, and heartfelt moments honoring determination and resilience. ~Stories of Hope & Resilience We traveled deep into rural areas to meet students facing significant challenges. We walked miles with young men like Jean de Dieu and Jacques, visited their homes, and pledged support that includes boarding school enrollment and long-term care. These interactions were humbling reminders of the courage and potential that exists when opportunity meets support. ~Community & Celebration of Life We joined in a Celebration of Life for our founder, Shari Shelton, where students offered songs, poetry, candles, and heartfelt tributes. It was a moment of deep gratitude—honoring her legacy and the ripple effect of a life lived in service. ~Faith, Fellowship & Local Culture Sunday worship with Paterne and the community filled us with renewed purpose. We shared meaningful exchanges, traded Namaste bracelets with local friends, and soaked in the rhythms of life in Rugarika. We also hosted a menstrual health and hygiene session, distributing reusable MoonCatcher kits made locally by the New Mom Sewing Group—bringing dignity and education together in a powerful way. ~Recognition & Local Impact We were honored that GIFTS Rwanda’s work was featured in the Rwandan press, particularly celebrating the sewing graduates and the growing influence of our programs. Local leaders highlighted the self-sufficiency and entrepreneurial skills being nurtured in the community. ~Bittersweet Goodbyes & Lasting Commitment As our time came to a close, we worked with Brigitte and Paterne to craft a thoughtful action plan for the year ahead, explored new opportunities like vocational training programs, and strengthened our bonds with leaders, families, and friends. Though we returned home physically, our hearts remain firmly rooted in Rwanda—and in the belief that the journey toward sustainable transformation continues.   Big News: GIFTS Rwanda Visited Musana In November 2025, our leadership team in Rwanda—Brigitte and Paterne—traveled to Musana Community Development Organization in Uganda to learn from a thriving model of sustainable, community-led development. This wasn’t just a field visit— it was an opportunity to grow, expand our perspective, and build new pathways for future impact. During their time in Musana, they: ~Explored schools, vocational training programs, and health centers that serve the community with dignity and purpose. ~Observed innovative systems of staff support, including housing and healthcare benefits for Musana team members—a model we hope to adapt in ways that strengthen GIFTS Rwanda’s own sustainability. ~Witnessed the power of community and faith, seeing how prayer, collaboration, and shared vision are woven into every aspect of Musana’s work. ~Met inspiring leaders and practitioners who graciously shared insights on building and growing self-sustaining programs for education, health, and economic empowerment. This Musana visit marked a turning point for GIFTS Rwanda—opening doors to deeper collaboration and strategic thinking about how we can continue to scale our impact in Rugarika with sustainability and dignity at the center. They came home inspired, equipped with ideas that will help our community thrive for years to come.  Fun Facts... You helped bring in $172,957.89 in 2025!! Here's how that compares to past years: 2024 raised $94,509 2023 raised $110,293 2022 raised $104,478 2021 raised $55,272 2020 raised $32,810 WAY TO GO!!!!!!! If you’ve made it this far, thank you. As we reflect on all that unfolded in 2025, we are deeply aware that none of it would have been possible without you. Your generosity, faith in this work, and commitment to the people of Rugarika have transformed lives, strengthened families, and expanded opportunities in ways that will be felt for generations. Through moments of celebration, growth, and even loss, you stood with us. Because of you, dignity was restored, skills were learned, futures were reshaped, and hope continued to rise. Thank you for being an essential part of the GIFTS Rwanda family and for carrying this mission forward with us. We look ahead with gratitude and purpose, excited to continue this journey together in 2026 and beyond. 
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We are excited to share an encouraging update from Rugarika — one that reflects resilience, opportunity, and the power of community. Recently, a new sewing group officially began studying through the GIFTS Rwanda program. This group includes 20 students total:
 Traditionally, sewing is not a skill many boys pursue, but when he arrived, he was welcomed with open arms. His presence is a reminder of what this program represents — inclusion, dignity, and the freedom to learn without judgment. Alongside this new group, we are sharing two powerful video testimonials from mothers in our sewing program. These women speak honestly about isolation, hardship, and the fear that their lives were “over” — and how learning a skill, being surrounded by others like them, and receiving support has restored their confidence, peace, and hope for the future. Through sewing, these women are gaining more than technical skills. They are rebuilding self-worth, creating paths out of poverty, and working toward the ability to provide for their children and families with dignity. The photos of this new group show more than students at work — they show second chances in action.    None of this would be possible without you. Your generosity continues to open doors for young people and mothers who were once left with few options. Because of your support, education and vocational training are becoming tools for lasting change in Rugarika. Thank you for believing in these students, these mothers, and the future they are building — one stitch at a time.   Five months ago, Baby Peace was found alone in the woods in late July—tiny, vulnerable, and in need of immediate care. Since that day, her story has been one of community, compassion, and incredible resilience. Today, we are so happy to share that Baby Peace is five months old and thriving. She is holding her head up on her own and even sitting up like a big girl—milestones that once felt uncertain but are now moments of pure joy.  Through the love of her adoptive parents and the ongoing support of GIFTS Rwanda, Baby Peace has everything she needs to grow strong. We continue to help provide essentials like diapers, formula, and clothing to ensure she is cared for and surrounded by dignity and love.  Recently, our team member Birgitte had the opportunity to visit Baby Peace and deliver diapers on behalf of GIFTS Rwanda. The photos of Birgitte holding her are a beautiful reminder of what happens when people show up—when generosity turns into real, tangible change for a child. Because of you, Baby Peace is not just surviving—she is flourishing. Thank you for being part of her story and for continuing to stand with the most vulnerable.   We are thrilled to share that this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign was an incredible success — and it’s all because of YOU. Together, you raised $18,118, and with the matching funds, that total doubled to $36,236. While we came just shy of our $20,000 goal, the impact you created is extraordinary. Because of your generosity, life-changing projects will now begin in Rugarika — projects that bring safety, stability, education, and hope to children and families who need it most. Here’s what your support is making possible: Safe Housing for Eric & Jacques $19,500 funded You are helping build a duplex home for Eric and Jacques, two teenage students facing unimaginable hardship and unsafe living conditions.
Your gift creates generational impact. Food Support & Farming Empowerment $3,300 funded You made it possible to provide food to families in urgent need — including Eric’s siblings, Jean, Rachel, and baby Peace. You also funded land cultivation for five families, giving them the ability to grow their own food and build long-term security. Scholarships for 154 Students $30,000 funded (matched!) Your support ensures we can make the next two tuition payments — in January and April — so that:
Many of these students have no family support at all. You became their support system yesterday. Tailoring Training for 25 Young Women $2,300 needed to complete funding — and you covered it Because of you, 25 young women will finish their tailoring program, receive certificates, and receive their own sewing machines — launching careers that will support their families and uplift their community. From the bottom of our hearts: thank you. You showed up with love, compassion, and belief in what’s possible. Even without hitting the exact goal, you gave us everything we need to begin the work that truly matters. Lives in Rugarika will change because of you. And we cannot wait to share every milestone along the way.   On this Giving Tuesday, we are humbled to share a powerful story of resilience — and an opportunity to double your impact for children and families in Rwanda. Thanks to Boeing and a generous donor, every gift given today will be MATCHED, up to $20,000 — meaning your Giving Tuesday donation goes twice as far to keep vulnerable students in school and uplift families in crisis. Donate now and DOUBLE your impact:  A Story of Courage: Welcoming Two Students Back to School Earlier this month, we welcomed two beautiful secondary students back into school after they were forced to drop out. Their family had been torn apart by violence. Their father abandoned the home and disappeared when local authorities moved to arrest him for repeatedly beating their mother. These kids were left without safety… and without hope of continuing their education. But because of generous supporters like you, GIFTS Rwanda stepped in immediately:
Today, these kids are back in class — smiling, safe, and determined to build a brighter future. And this Giving Tuesday, your contribution puts more kids like them back in school where they belong.   Your Gift Today — MATCHED — Changes Lives Here are just a few ways your matched donation will create lasting impact:
This Giving Tuesday, please take one brave action: help us keep more children safe, supported, and in school. Your generosity — matched dollar for dollar today — truly transforms lives. Give now and DOUBLE your impact: Your generosity today has the power to change the trajectory of a child’s life — and with your gift being matched, there has never been a more impactful time to give. Thank you for helping us build brighter futures in Rugarika.  A huge thank you to our Early Givers Wall of Champions! You helped us launch Giving Tuesday with incredible momentum. Now let’s finish strong — every gift today is DOUBLE MATCHED!  After a week filled with Black Friday deals and “Buy Now!” emails, today brings something completely different -- a chance to give, to uplift, and to create real change. Today is Giving Tuesday, and our GIFTS Rwanda campaign is officially underway — and your impact begins the moment you give. Your Gift Today Is DOUBLED Thanks to an incredible match, every dollar you give has 2X the impact for children and families in Rugarika. This is the biggest giving opportunity of our year — and we need you with us.  What Your Giving Tuesday Gift Makes Possible This year, your gift goes directly toward building safety, stability, and opportunity for families in crisis — including:
Learn more about exactly what your Giving Tuesday/End-of-Year gift will do here:  Before Giving Tuesday even began, dozens of supporters said “yes” early — helping us launch this day with powerful momentum. Today, we honor them on our Early Givers Wall of Champions. Their leadership inspires others to join in, and now we invite you to add your name to the movement. Champions So Far:
 Where We Stand This Morning We’ve currently raised $14,778, and we are on our way -- but we still need your help to reach our $20,000 goal and unlock the full double match. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to give, this is it. Your gift today goes twice as far — bringing safety, stability, and hope to families who need it most. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in this mission and in the people of Rugarika. Together, we can make Giving Tuesday life-changing.   Hi Friends, Giving Tuesday is tomorrow — but you don’t have to wait to make a life-changing impact. Many people are preparing their end-of-year giving decisions right now, and if you’re still choosing where to give, GIFTS Rwanda is the perfect place to start. Our DOUBLE MATCH Giving Tuesday campaign means every dollar you give today is automatically multiplied — turning one act of generosity into long-term, sustainable change in Rugarika.  Why Early Giving Matters Early gifts set the tone for Giving Tuesday. They build momentum. They inspire others. And they help us begin the day strong. Your early support today helps us:
 Early Givers Wall of Champions When you give today, your name is added to our Early Givers Wall of Champions — a special way we honor those who step up before Giving Tuesday even begins. It’s our way of saying thank you for fueling the momentum that makes this day so powerful. If you prefer to remain anonymous, we will list you as “Anonymous” with gratitude. Champions So Far:
 Where We Are Today We’ve currently raised $10,759, and we’re well on our way — but we still need your help to reach our $20,000 goal and unlock the full double match. Your Gift Today Is DOUBLED If you’ve been thinking about giving, this is the moment. Your support today goes 2x as far, providing safety, stability, and opportunity for the children and families who need it most. Give now and join the Early Givers Wall of Champions: Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday — but the impact begins right now.  As we enter this season of gratitude and generosity, I want to share the stories of two incredible boys who are at the heart of our Giving Tuesday campaign this year--Eric and Jacques.
Their courage, their hope, and their determination are deeply humbling… and together, we have a chance to give them something life-changing: safety and stability.  Eric: A 17-Year-Old Brother Carrying the Weight of a Family Many of you may remember Eric. At just 17, he is caring for his three younger siblings--Liliane (16), Jeremy (12), and Vedaste (8)—after losing their mother earlier this year. Their mother, Clementine, passed away from heart disease and organ failure, leaving the four children orphaned. Thanks to your generosity during our Give $5, Challenge 5 campaign, Eric is now attending a secondary boarding school where he’s working hard toward his dream of studying construction. While he’s away at school, his sister Liliane is caring for their younger brothers, and your support has also allowed her to continue her education. In August, during our visit to the Rugarika community, we had the opportunity to meet Eric’s family in person—Eric, his siblings, and their grandparents. We saw firsthand the conditions they are living in: a home that is unsafe, unstable, and far from what any child should have to endure. Despite their circumstances, the children welcomed us with warmth and hope. We are currently supporting Eric’s education and providing food for his siblings, but our goal now is to give them something every child deserves: safer, more stable shelter.
 Jacques: A Quiet Strength After Unthinkable Loss When we visited Rwanda this August, we traveled deep into the rural hills to meet Jacques, a boy whose resilience is nothing short of extraordinary. Jacques witnessed the unimaginable: his father took his mother’s life and is now serving a life sentence. Although community members stepped in to adopt the children, Jacques was separated from his siblings. Today, he lives in unsafe conditions, many hours away from his school. Each day, he walks nearly two hours each way on steep, hilly terrain just to reach the community center—the one place he feels secure. His dream is simple but profound: to attend boarding school and one day return home to live safely with his brother once their family home can be repaired. Standing at his doorstep—after climbing down and back up the winding hills he walks every single day—our team knew: Jacques deserves safety. He deserves stability. And he deserves a chance.
 This Giving Tuesday, We’re Coming Together to Fight for Both Boys and Their Families Your gift today is doubled thanks to two generous matches:
Here’s how your Giving Tuesday gift will transform lives: 1. $19,500 — Build a Safe Home for Eric & Jacques Your support will help construct a GIFTS Rwanda duplex home that both boys can live in while they continue their education. It will give them:
2. $3,300 — Food Support & Farming Empowerment You’ll help provide vital food supplies to families in crisis, including Eric’s and Jacques, and support five families in beginning to cultivate their own land for long-term food security. You Can Be Part of Their Story Eric and Jacques have endured hardship far beyond their years… but they have also shown extraordinary strength and hope. Your generosity today will give them what no child should go without: a safe place to live, a full stomach, and the chance to focus on their future. Give now and DOUBLE your impact. Every gift gets us closer to opening the doors of a safe home for these two boys.  Early Givers Wall of Champions We’re so grateful for the donors who have already stepped forward with early gifts to kickstart this campaign. Their support is bringing us closer to unlocking the full match and ensuring Eric and Jacques get the stability they need. Current Total Raised: $10,343  Champions So Far:
Thank you for believing in these boys, in our work, and in the future of the Rugarika community. Your generosity truly changes lives.   As we gather with loved ones and pause to reflect on gratitude this Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to say thank you — truly. Your support, kindness, and belief in the mission of GIFTS Rwanda continue to transform lives in ways both big and small. Today, I want to share a story that captures the heart of what your generosity makes possible. This week, our team in Rugarika sent photos of students who received rabbits through our Rabbit Farming Project. The project began as a small pilot to help vulnerable children and families build a sustainable source of food and income. Now? It has grown into a thriving, self-sustaining program. The rabbits you helped provide have multiplied — and the students who first received them are now bringing rabbits back to the center to pass them on to other children in need. A gift that was once given… is now being given again. Hope is multiplying. And community is growing stronger. On a day dedicated to gratitude, this feels especially meaningful to share with you. Thank you for believing in these children. Thank you for investing in dignity, opportunity, and sustainable change. Thank you for being part of this family.   As Giving Tuesday approaches next week, we look forward to sharing more stories of impact — and we invite you to join our Wall of Champions by giving early if you feel inspired. But today is simply about gratitude. From our team in Rwanda, from the families we serve, and from my heart — Happy Thanksgiving. May your holiday be filled with warmth, connection, and abundant joy.   As we continue our Giving Tuesday campaign, I want to share something that filled my heart during my trip to Rwanda in August — a moment of pure joy that reminded me how even the smallest gifts can create something extraordinary. When my daughter Payton’s soccer team transitioned from Albion to CVSC this year, her team donated their Albion gear — socks, shorts, shirts, jackets, and even soccer backpacks — so we could bring them to the kids in Rugarika. We also brought soccer balls donated and purchased by YOU, our generous supporters. What happened next still makes me smile. Paterne, one of our GIFTS Rwanda team members, used the donated gear to create a real soccer team in the village.  Children who had never owned their own ball… kids who play barefoot in the dirt… now had matching uniforms, bags, jerseys, and a team to belong to. When the kids put on their new gear for the first time, the pride on their faces was unforgettable. They stood taller. They smiled bigger. They felt seen — and they felt like athletes. And then the field came alive. Dozens of children laughing, running, chasing balls, shouting each other’s names. Joy in motion. Community in motion. Hope in motion. All because a group of 11-year-old girls in Oregon decided to give generously. All because people like you believe in lifting others up. Your support turns moments like this into chapters — and chapters into change.  Giving Tuesday Update — 19 Early Champions! Our Wall of Champions continues to grow, and your early gifts are fueling incredible momentum. Please join me in celebrating and thanking our 19 Early Champions:
Why this matters Sports build confidence, teamwork, discipline, and joy. But in Rugarika, they also build something even more powerful: A sense of possibility. When children feel supported, their dreams expand. When a village feels seen, its strength grows. This is what your Giving Tuesday support makes possible.   Help us continue this momentum Your gift — in any amount — helps us continue supporting kids like these with:
 Thank you for sharing your heart with Rugarika. Thank you for believing in joy, dignity, and opportunity. And thank you for being a Champion for this community.  |
