Day 1 in Rwanda: A Joyful Return to Rugarika

After months of planning and preparation, Alan and I finally began our journey back to Rwanda on Monday morning. With nearly 300 lbs of donated supplies packed into six suitcases, we landed late Tuesday night, eager to reunite with the community we serve through GIFTS Rwanda.
We were warmly welcomed at the airport by Paterne and Brigitte, our incredible in-country team, who brought us to our hotel. Fun fact: Kigali traffic at 10 p.m. rivals Portland rush hour—who knew? We grabbed a quick dinner around 11 p.m. and, despite the time zone chaos, crashed for a few hours before heading out early Wednesday morning to the village of Rugarika, home of GIFTS Rwanda.

​Meeting Baby Peace

Many of you have asked about the baby recently found abandoned in the forest near our office in Rwanda. We’re grateful to share that she is a beautiful baby girl named Peace, now adopted by a loving family who lives just steps from the GIFTS Rwanda Community Center.
Visiting her was our first stop. Holding her in my arms, I told her how loved she is. We brought the family formula, wipes, and soft stuffed animals for when she’s a little older. She is joyful, full of life, and has a full head of hair! Moments like these remind us why we do what we do.

The Community Center: A Dream Realized

Returning to the GIFTS Rwanda Community Center after two years was nothing short of breathtaking. The progress is overwhelming. What was once an open field has transformed into a vibrant hub of empowerment and hope. Since our last visit, the following have been added or completed:

• Updated chicken farm
• New rabbit farm
• Expansive community gardens
• Finished sewing room for our new mom groups
• A community education/meeting room
• A store which features items made by the New Mom Sewing Group, the soap-making and bead-making groups, as well as eggs from the chicken farm. It also includes dedicated storage rooms to support their growing efforts.​
• Offices for Brigitte and Paterne
• Fully functioning staff and public bathrooms, including a handicap-accessible one

We were especially moved by the donor recognition plaque displayed proudly on the center, honoring those who gave $1,000 or more to make this dream a reality. Here are videos showing the front of the center then the back. Enjoy the children singing and dancing. They are practicing for Shari's celebration of life taking place on Friday.

​Empowering Women, One Skill at a Time 

​We visited both the New Mom Sewing Groups, which have grown so much that they now run two sessions a day—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We also spent time with the soap-making and beading groups, all part of our growing women's empowerment initiatives. These women are building lives of dignity and independence. We even sat in on a financial literacy meeting where the women discussed savings deposits and budgeting—another step in transforming not only their futures but those of their children.

​Distributing Supplies & Starting a Soccer Team 

​Next, we unpacked the six suitcases of supplies. Clothing and shoes were distributed to the moms and their children—and in a fun twist, Paterne and Brigitte decided to use my daughter’s team’s old uniforms to form a GIFTS Rwanda soccer team, with Paterne as coach! ⚽

​Visiting Families: Stories of Hope 

​We then spent time visiting some of the individuals whose stories have deeply touched our hearts: Eric’s family: We met Eric, his siblings—Liliane, Jeremy, and Vedaste—and their grandparents, and saw firsthand the difficult conditions they are currently living in. Eric's mother passed away from cancer just a few months ago, leaving the children orphaned. We’re currently supporting Eric’s education and providing food for his siblings. We’re hopeful that some of the donations made in Shari’s memory will allow us to offer them safer, more stable shelter. Beatrice: She welcomed us into her beautiful home, beaming with gratitude for the cow, clean water, and safe shelter she now has. [Read her story here.] Chantel: You may remember Chantel, the mother of six we met living beside the road during our last visit. [Watch the video here.] Today, she proudly showed us her new home built by GIFTS Rwanda, just across from the community center. She now works with us—cleaning, caring for the animals, and even sewing clothing for her kids thanks to the skills she’s learned in the mom’s group.

​Full-Circle Impact: The Basketball Court

​We ended the day at the basketball court we built at a nearby government school—part of a collaboration that helped us gain official NGO status in Rwanda. We brought new basketballs and even played a games with a few students. It was a perfect close to a full and joyful day.

​Gratitude Beyond Words

​In just 30 hours, we’ve already witnessed so many lives transformed. This visit is a powerful reminder of how your generosity is not just funding projects—it’s building futures.

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to be here, to hold hands and hug necks, and to see firsthand the real-time, real-life impact of your love and support.

Stay tuned for more updates from the field. This is only the beginning.​

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With love and deep appreciation,
Annie Mills
Project & Development Manager
GIFTS Rwanda