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What an extraordinary day it has been! Today, we had the incredible privilege of visiting the homes of our wonderful Rwandan team members, Brigitte and Paterne, along with a heartwarming reunion with Souzane Bizumutima, whom GIFTS Rwanda's founder, Shari Shelton, sponsored as a student a whole decade ago. It was a day filled with warmth, gratitude, and delightful surprises. Our first stop was Souzane's home, where we were welcomed with open arms. Souzane, now a loving mother of two adorable girls aged 2 and 4, touched our hearts with her story. We came bearing gifts, as well as a book Karina and Shari had made from their last trip to visit her 8 years ago, which her family graciously received. Her children loved pointing her out in the video which you can see below. To our amazement, they presented us with an astonishing array of EIGHT different plates of fruits. You can see them here, along with Souzane's daughters playing and coloring with the items we brought. I must say, the tree tomatoes, a local delicacy, were my personal favorite, and I nearly devoured the entire plate! Their hospitality and joy, despite having so little by American standards, served as a poignant reminder that happiness is not found in material possessions but in the boundless love, gratitude, and compassion that reside in our hearts. Africa, with its wonderful people, has certainly taught us a valuable lesson. Our journey to Souzane's home took us through three hours of breathtaking Rwandan landscapes. I could honestly drive through Rwanda all day and never tire of its beauty and charm. It truly is a place like no other, a treasure trove of natural wonders and warm-hearted hard-working people. Next, we embarked on a two-hour journey to Brigitte's home. Her husband, Jerome, has been instrumental in helping get ready to start a chicken farm in Rugarika. He currently has one at his home that he will emulate after the construction is complete. Meeting him in person was a joyous experience. Jerome is a gem of a person, and it was heartwarming to witness the love between him and Brigitte. Their sons were equally delightful, embracing the gifts and toys we brought them. We even had the chance to visit the chicken farm on their property and make the acquaintance of their cow! Our final stop took us an hour away to Paterne's home. Gisele, Paterne's wife, greeted us warmly at the door, along with their charming son, Aldo, and two of his friends who were staying with them. We shared the joy of giving toys to the children and relished in the delicious dinner of potatoes and rabbit. Surprisingly, the rabbit tasted just like buffalo wings - it was really good! Our journey back home, which took an hour and a half, allowed us to traverse three of the five Rwandan provinces. We even caught a glimpse of the US Embassy and where Kagame works (you are forbidden to take pictures and there are cameras and military surrounding it so no photos of that to share with you)!. It feels like we've explored so much of Rwanda today. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Paterne and Brigitte for spending over 9 hours driving us around and opening their homes to us. We are incredibly blessed! In closing, today was a reminder of the immense beauty and kindness that exists in Rwanda and its people. It's a place that has left an indelible mark on our hearts, and we can't help but reflect on the valuable lessons we've learned about life, happiness, and the importance of love and compassion. Thank you, Rwanda, for this unforgettable day! 
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Today was an incredible day as we had the privilege of meeting the graduates whose education so many of you have generously sponsored. It was a heartwarming experience to see the impact of your support in person. They expressed their gratitude to us, and by extension, to all of you, which truly made our day. Listening to their stories and getting to know each of these remarkable individuals was incredibly powerful. We had the opportunity to capture their testimonials, and we'll be sharing them with you soon, so please keep an eye on our newsletter to ensure you don't miss out!  As we settled into the classroom where we would be teaching, we couldn't help but notice a crowd of children and adults gathering outside the door. Curiosity piqued, and as I made my way to the door to my surprise, more families were streaming into the school premises. Paterne, our dedicated team member, gathered them into a circle and had a talk with them. I approached Brigitte to understand the situation, and she explained that they had heard about our visit and were eager to have their children join GIFTS Rwanda's program. Paterne assured them that our presence wouldn't change the process. The process entails them adding their children's names to a list, which Paterne, Brigitte, and Pastor Faustin Ruhirwa (who oversees the school and church) review together. Then, they carefully select the children with the most pressing needs. It was heartening to witness how Paterne and Brigitte skillfully managed the situation, ensuring that your generous donations are used to effect the most meaningful change possible. Once Paterne concluded his discussion with the community members, we emerged from the classroom with the graduates and kicked off the day with some delightful games. We played a few Rwandan games before they eagerly requested Karina and me to introduce them to an American game. Our choice: Red Light Green Light, and it turned out to be an absolute riot. You can enjoy the videos below! After the games, we returned to the classroom and distributed more Ridges Fun Run shirts. They loved them and immediately put them on! Karina and I then addressed them on topics vital to young adult health, including menstruation and pregnancy prevention. The highlight of the session was Paterne stepping up like a rock star to demonstrate the correct way to put a condom on a water bottle. His explanations were exceptional, and the students were fully engaged in the conversation. We wrapped up the talk by sitting down with the students, where they shared their life stories, dreams, and needs. Their openness and courage in talking to us were truly remarkable, and we made sure to express our deep appreciation for being in partnership with them and for the opportunity to spend time getting to know each of them.  To conclude the day, we all gathered in the courtyard for a group picture, and each graduate graciously shared their testimonials with me, which I will be sharing soon. Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter by emailing HERE so you can be among the first to hear their inspiring stories! During our conversations, the graduates expressed their dreams of attending university or vocational school. Unfortunately, this endeavor is costly, and many of them are facing challenges finding employment. They inquired if GIFTS Rwanda could offer any assistance, and I assured them that I would bring their requests to our board. It costs approximately $1200 a year here to attend university.  Before bidding them farewell, we brought them back into the classroom and surprised them with donut cakes, Fanta, balls, and some small toys for their younger siblings. They were so excited to share their gifts with their families! Thank you all for making days like today possible. Your generosity and support are changing lives and creating brighter futures. We can't wait to share more stories and updates with you, so stay tuned! Together, we are making a real difference.  What an extraordinary day it has been – a rare opportunity to spend time with the children whose education is made possible by your generous donations! We started the day with an energetic game of "grab and hug" where the teacher called out a number, and you had to quickly connect with that many people for a hug. The twist? No hugging the same person twice! It might sound simple, but it was an absolute blast and perhaps my personal favorite. The joy in their laughter was infectious. Check out this short video of it HERE! Afterward, we played a game where two individuals took center stage, and they'd make requests of each other, such as singing, making each other laugh, or sharing a hug. The interactions were heartwarming, and the kids' creativity knew no bounds. Enjoy these heartwarming photos and videos capturing these fun moments. Click HERE to watch two boys play the request game and HERE to watch two girls play it!  We then had the privilege of delivering a talk to the primary students about what it means to be a good child and community member in Rwanda. I had prepared 14 points on the topic but was pleasantly surprised when the class contributed nine of those points themselves. Their manners, confidence, and engagement in the lesson left a lasting impression. Following the lesson, we distributed brand new shirts that I had collected from my daughter's school, Ridges Elementary School. Thanks to the generosity of Ridges PAC (Parent Advisory Committee), we brought over 100 brand new shirts from their past Fun Run events. The children were overjoyed with their new attire, and we even managed to provide extras to the siblings of the students, including a little one brought by her older sister while their mom was at work in the clinic.  While we were conducting our presentations, the secondary students enjoyed playing in the courtyard with the balls we had brought along. After we switched groups, the primary students had their turn to play while we addressed the secondary students about adolescent health and wellness, and then had a more intimate conversation with the girls about menstrual health and pregnancy. It was a bit outside of our comfort zone, but it had been requested by our Rwandan team, and the depth of the discussions, the questions they asked, and the thoughtful summaries they wrote afterward made it clear why. We had a candid and meaningful conversation, and I believe they gained valuable insights that will shape their perspectives and decisions in the future. Paterne also asked the secondary students if any of them wanted to stand and express what they day meant to them. I was so impressed by how many did, and they practiced their English while doing it! Below is a video from one young man. I will add subtitles later but think you'll enjoy hearing him speak in front of his classmates from his heart. To sweeten the day, we treated everyone to Fanta and cake donuts, along with whiteboards, coloring books, crafts, and crayons. I also had the pleasure of recording touching testimonials from eight of the students. Their eloquence and confidence left me once again in awe. We wrapped up this incredible day with a heartwarming group photo under the Rwandan flag in the school courtyard. It was a day filled with special moments that will stay with us forever.   As if this day wasn't already overflowing with special moments, it also happened to be Karina and Albert's 5-year anniversary! Paterne and Brigitte had a surprise in store for them when we returned to our hotel. Amidst their busy schedules, they managed to order and pick up a cake, complete with a sparkling firework candle, and arranged for the DJ to play the couple a beautiful Rwandan love song. It was a magical ending to a long and unforgettable day. I was able to capture the moment on video and you can check it out HERE! Albert, Karina, and I feel immensely grateful to work alongside Brigitte and Paterne, and to have formed such wonderful friendships with them.  Today has been an incredible journey, surpassing all my expectations in terms of impact, inspiration, and raw emotion. Our day began at the Genocide Memorial Museum, an experience that touched me deeply. Witnessing their unwavering honesty, compassion, and dedication to reconciliation left me in awe. They're not only educating Rwandans but also setting a global example in preventing genocides.  After our museum visit, we enjoyed a hearty lunch before heading towards the village we hold dear, Rugarika. The journey, though challenging due to the winding roads, was worth every bump and turn. The stunning beauty of the landscape was only rivaled by its remoteness – now I truly understand why Paterne, our dedicated team member, advocated for a motorcycle to navigate these tricky roads efficiently. Motorcycles are indeed a game-changer here, allowing quick and nimble travel. We had the privilege of visiting the village clinic, where we spoke with both medical personnel and patients. Brigitte got her blood pressure taken from one of the medical workers. One brave mother had recently undergone surgery after childbirth, battling complications and infections while caring for her newborn. We were able to talk to her and she let us take her picture. Her resilience is truly remarkable. Our excitement grew as we reached the new plot of land made possible by your generous contributions. Seeing the near-completion of the chicken farm and community room and the construction workers sense of accomplishment made me so proud and happy for them. To give you a closer look, we've captured some raw videos with Brigitte, Paterne, and myself – a small attempt to make you feel like you're right here with us, witnessing the progress you've facilitated. I apologize for the rawness of the videos. I will add subtitles to better understand us later, but wanted to get you these so you can see the progress being made in real-time we are witnessing together. Meeting the construction workers, mothers, and the vibrant children was heartwarming. Their enthusiasm, happiness, and curiosity about us created an unforgettable bond. Their gratitude for the opportunities this project brings to them, their children, and future generations resonated deeply. Below shows the edge of the plot of land and Brigitte, Albert and I looking down at where the construction workers have to go to get water.  We then moved just a stone's throw away to the primary school, where your support has a direct impact on 20 children. Across the street lies the secondary school, where your support benefits 50 of the students, along with Rugarika's central church – a hub of activities, including the mom sewing group. Pastor Faustin Ruhirwa greeted us with a warm welcome while beautiful music played in the background. We soon realized it was the choir practicing and we get to go inside and listen. It was such a beautiful surprise. After a couple of songs we got to talk to the choir members and I recognized a couple people from testimonials Paterne has given us in the past. They told us how grateful they are for our support and how they are asking God to be with us helping direct and guide us. I was overcome by their warm welcome, interconnectedness, and kindness toward us as well as each other. Conversations with choir members revealed the profound appreciation they hold for our involvement and the connection they feel to us. It was a beautiful reminder of the shared humanity that unites us. Our day concluded with a visit to the new mom sewing room, brought to life by your contributions. We enjoyed watching Paterne and Brigitte show us how they work which ended in a bit of a competition that I believe Paterne won ;). Watch and decide for yourself by clicking HERE. It was one of the most beautiful, emotional, life changing days of my life and made me excited for many more. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity to serve this communtiy with you.   What an absolutely amazing start to our journey in this incredible country! While the 30-hour travel time was quite the marathon, filled with its fair share of challenges from beginning to end, the enthusiasm and positive energy kept us going. Our adventure began with the task of condensing our carry-ons by half due to weight restrictions – talk about a packing puzzle! Then I lost my watch going through Qatar airport security, and, with the assistance of a native Rwandan airport attendee, persuaded a Qatar airport manager to return it to me. Navigating through customs proved to be an unexpected hurdle as our supplies for the villagers of Rugarika raised some eyebrows. We had to patiently explain the purpose of each item, convincing them that these essentials were meant to make a difference. Even after the meticulous explanation, we hit a roadblock. However, our tenacity paid off when a Rwandan airport employee I had been chatting with, dressed in military uniform, intervened with his reassuring words, and we were finally on our way. After the customs adventure, the saga with money exchange unfolded. While the majority of our funds were smoothly exchanged, an unexpected twist occurred with a portion deemed too old for their liking. But hey, every challenge is just another step in the adventure, right? Amidst the whirlwind, the welcoming faces of Brigitte and Paterne greeted us with open arms and stunning bouquets of flowers. Their warmth was like a breath of fresh air, melting away any travel fatigue we might have had. From that point on, they’ve been our anchors, guiding us through every step of this incredible journey. Our first day was peppered with precious moments. Sharing breakfast with Brigitte and Paterne on Karina and Albert's balcony allowed us to soak in the surroundings and each other's company. Finally settling into our rooms was a welcome luxury after the long trip. Dinner was not just about good food, but a chance to chart our course for the week ahead. After dinner, with all six bags open before us, we meticulously organized the gifts, toys, shirts, balls, and supplies. The excitement was palpable as we eagerly looked forward to tomorrow – the day we start sharing these gifts in the village. And what’s on the agenda for tomorrow morning? A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial – a poignant and meaningful way to pay our respects. So, as we wrap up this whirlwind of a day, we're thrilled to share some pictures and videos that capture the essence of our adventure. Stay tuned as we continue to explore, learn, and make a positive impact, one step at a time! 🌍📸🌟  Can you believe it?! In just one short week, we are traveling to Rwanda to visit the village we are serving, Rugarika! We are incredibly excited to meet the people of Rugarika and to be in Rwanda for the first time since Shari and Karina's initial trip in 2014. But the part we're MOST excited about? Witnessing firsthand the extraordinary impact you've made as a donor and supporter! Why We Are Going: Being physically removed from a situation can make it difficult to visualize and connect with one’s impact, and that is a large reason as to why we are going. As part of our work to support you and help make your impact more tangible, we will be documenting our trip through photo, video, and blog to capture the real lives that you’ve helped transform. We can’t wait to share these photo's, videos and stories from GIFTS Rwanda with you in the next few months!  Guess What Has Begun?!?!.... We have broken ground for the community center!!! This center will provide a safe space for our new mother tailoring co-op to learn, teach, and grow their sewing business. Our long-term goal for this building is to have four rooms! There will be a room for the sewing co-op business and sewing trainings (which is already underway!), a room for our soap making project, a room for making bags using beads, a small room for stock, and a room for meetings and educational talks for the community, including topics such as fighting malnutrition and promoting reproductive health for young girls and their mothers. We also have plans for farming activities and the chicken house that we raised money for in 2021! We are SO EXCITED to see and document the land and progress for you in the upcoming weeks!! Below is a small preview... The purpose of this trip is to achieve the following goals:
 Please continue to share your suggestions on what you would like us to see and do while we are in Rugarika, documenting the progress and impact of your generous donations. Your input is invaluable in ensuring that we make the most of our time there and serve you in the best possible way. Additionally, please continue to send us any tips and advice you have for our safe travels. It is important to us to take all necessary precautions and ensure a smooth and secure trip. Your guidance will be highly valued in making our journey a successful one.  We are eagerly looking forward to meeting the individuals we have the privilege of serving and witnessing the communities progress in taking collective ownership and responsibility for the projects we have started together.  We are thrilled to announce that I will be going to Rugarika, Rwanda with Karina Alvarez, a member of the GIFTS Rwanda team, and her husband Albert from August 14th to 24th!  We are eagerly looking forward to connecting with the villagers in Rugarika to witness their progress in taking collective ownership and responsibility for the projects we have started together. The purpose of this trip is to achieve the following goals:
Visit and document all of GIFTS Rwanda's projects including:
Per their request, Karina and I will be delivering a talk on reproductive health, hygiene, and body changes during the teenage years to female students aged 7 to 20 at the school. Additionally, we will begin a trial reusable menstrual pad program with 20 school-age girls, which we will evaluate during our visit to see if we can expand to all individuals at the school who need them.  We are thrilled to share this exciting news with you! We would also love to hear your suggestions on what you would like us to see and do while we are in Rugarika, documenting the progress and impact of your generous donations. Your input is invaluable in ensuring that we make the most of our time there and serve you in the best possible way. Additionally, we would greatly appreciate any tips and advice you have for our safe travels. It is important to us to take all necessary precautions and ensure a smooth and secure trip. Your guidance will be highly valued in making our journey a successful one.  Do you remember how GIFTS Rwanda began?! Click HERE to learn about founder Shari Shelton and Karina Alvarez's first trip to Rwanda and how GIFTS Rwanda began!  Please know that this trip is being fully funded by Shari and Al Shelton, and no portion of your donations will be used to cover the expenses. We cannot wait to be in the village and to get the opportunity to finally meet the individuals we have the privilege of serving. 
Rwanda's national mourning period began on April 7th, with Kwibuka (Remembrance), the national commemoration ceremony. Brigitte and Paterne went to talk to the students of Rugarika to see how they are doing during this period set aside to remember the genocide victims. They had a beautiful visit and took a few pictures and videos to help us feel like we were there too.
Brigitte took time to look at the students reports and encourage them to work hard for a bright future as you can see in the photos above. They had a wonderful conversation and some girls even stood up and shared the strategies they have used to get top marks.
Paterne had a lovely talk with Jean who lives in Rugarika and is raising his siblings. They talked about what GIFTS Rwanda has done for him and his brothers and sisters. You can watch what Jean had to say in the video below. Jean's smile at the end of the video never fails to brighten my mood.
Brigitte had the opportunity to talk to a woman named Cecile who is part of the beadwork group in which GIFTS Rwanda sponsored the fees for the materials and training in 2021. Cecile is speaking to us as a representative of the beading group and she let Brigitte know they need more beads due to not being able to get the beads at the market. They have made many requests to no avail and are hoping we can help in getting these for them which we are able to do because of funds already raised by YOU! Listen to what she has to say below.
Stay tuned for more updates, new project announcements, and to hear even more stories that we continue to share from the people of Rugarika impacted by your generosity.
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 In honor of International Women's Day, let's salute the impact women have made all across the world and celebrate the progress of all women. Let's also join in the mission to fuel more progress for women and girls everywhere. One way to do this is to give a pregnant, single mother an opportunity to join a tailoring co-op to receive education and a means to make a living. This includes a sewing machine, training, and supplies. Simply click HERE and select "Sponsor New Mother Tailoring Education" from the drop down. Here's to progress, equality, and lifting one another up. Happy International Women's Day!    Because of YOU, we reached our goal! Thank you for giving and supporting the New Moms and Farmers campaign this Giving Tuesday! You raised $10,804, and with our $10,000 match, you helped make the massive impact of $20,804!!! This money is going to equip single mothers in Rwanda with a sustainable career in sewing through our GIFTS Rwanda's Sewing Project. Being a single mother in Rwanda is especially difficult as job opportunities are few and many stigmas remain. But with your help, we will be offering them a safe and secure building as well as sewing machines, supplies, and training. The ripple effects of this moment will be generational and were made possible by YOU. Here are details regarding how the funds will be used:
We can now build these women a safe space to learn, teach, and grow their sewing business for countless groups of women to use moving forward. Our new graduates are excited for the opportunity to help mentor and train our next group of new moms who will be going through the sewing co-op training program in the new year!  Exciting Next Steps... We are not stopping with a one room building for the sewing co-op... Our long term goal for this building is to work up to having four rooms! There will be a room for the sewing co-op business and sewing trainings (that we now have the money to build!!), a room for our soap making project, a room for making bags using beads, a small room for stock, and a room for meetings as well as for giving talks to the community teaching them various things such as how to fight malnutrition and reproductive health with young girls and their mothers. Near this building will be a place reserved for farming activities as well as the chicken house we raised money for last Giving Tuesday! Coffee Time... But that's not all. GIFTS Rwanda is donating approximately $500 directly to everyone working so hard to produce our new coffee Rwanda Nyakarenzo! This is to cover the bags of coffee produced for those of you who donated $100 or more to the campaign (we had well over 20 households give over $100!). Your coffee was roasted on Friday December 2nd and is being packaged now. It will be shipped out to you this Friday December 9th. We would LOVE to hear your feedback on the coffee after you try it. Remember, this is a bag of whole bean coffee so if you are like me and do not have a coffee grinder you can find a reasonably priced one here. Board member Darla Bauer and I got the opportunity to try it last month and we are SOLD. It's a lighter roast that is delicate and bright almost like a tea. Darla could smell citrus lime notes and red currant and reported it is very smooth and pairs superbly with a buttery crisp and brown sugar cookie. We can't wait to hear what you think!  Holiday Gift Idea! Our coffee is now available for SALE! This coffee is considered a Single Origin and from a small farm in Rwanda custom roasted by Top of the Lake Coffee. Employees in Rwanda work on the farm, harvesting and washing the coffee beans. We have partnered with Nyakarenzo Coffee Washing Station/Rwacof (approximately 70% of their employees are women), whose focus is on improving the financial situation of the local farmers. This makes for a perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life while knowing your money is going to the incredible people of Rwanda. THANK YOU for your help. We appreciate YOU so much!  |
