 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. 
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 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 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.  Tonight, I want to share a story that sits heavy on the heart — and full of hope — because it shows exactly why your Giving Tuesday support is life-changing.  Meet Rachel Rachel Umuhoza is 16 years old and in the sixth grade. She lives in Rugarika with her 69-year-old grandmother, Beatrice, in a crumbling one–room house. Rachel is an orphan; Beatrice has lost all of her children. She now walks only with the help of two sticks. Food is scarce. Some days, they find a little to eat. Many days, they go to bed hungry. When you speak with Beatrice, the sorrow in her voice is unmistakable. She has endured unimaginable loss — yet her love for Rachel is unwavering. But thanks to your support, Rachel is no longer facing these hardships alone. Your generosity is already making a difference With donor support, we were able to:
 This is the difference you make. This is what dignity, stability, and opportunity look like. And below, you’ll also see and hear directly from both Rachel and Beatrice. Their photos and video testimonials are below. I hope you’ll take a moment to listen — their courage is humbling.    WALL OF CHAMPIONS Your early gifts are fueling this campaign with momentum and hope. These early givers are helping launch our campaign with momentum and bringing us closer to our goal faster. Thank you to our Early Champions:
Early giving propels us forward — helping us reach our goal faster and opening the door for even more students, elders, and families to receive support just like Rachel and Beatrice. Why your Giving Tuesday gift matters Your generosity provides:
And this year, your Giving Tuesday gift goes even further through our DOUBLE match — multiplying your impact for students like Rachel.  You can be the reason a child goes to school tomorrow. You can be the reason a grandmother sleeps knowing her granddaughter will eat. You can be the reason hope grows in Rugarika. Give today and be part of the change.   This Giving Tuesday, your gift can go twice as far!Starting NOW we are raising $20,000 by the end of the day on December 2nd to support women and families in Rwanda. If we reach our goal, an anonymous donor will contribute $10,000 and Boeing will match another $10,000 — doubling your impact to $40,000! Together, we can build brighter futures. Give today and help unlock both matches! How Your Giving Tuesday Gift Will Change Lives in Rwanda: Every dollar you give this Giving Tuesday will go directly toward transforming lives in the Rugarika community. Together, we can create safety, stability, and opportunity where it’s needed most.
 Your gift this Giving Tuesday will change lives — providing safety, education, nourishment, and opportunity for families in Rwanda. While these combined projects total $55,100, our campaign goal remains $40,000. Reaching that milestone will give us incredible traction to complete every one of these action items by year’s end — and we believe, with your help, we can make it happen. Together, we can do this.  |
