Day 4 in Rwanda – Long Journeys, Heartfelt Visits, and Unexpected Gifts

​A Long Road to Reach Those in Need 

​Today’s travels took us deep into rural Rwanda to visit two students with especially difficult circumstances. The journey was long—hours of driving on winding bumpy roads, followed by walking across hilly terrain just to reach their homes. The community center they both frequent is already a 45-minute drive from the nearest main road, and they each walk hours to get there.

Along the way, I took photos and videos so you can catch a glimpse of the way Rwandans live—and hopefully feel as if you’re traveling right alongside me.

​Visiting Jean de Dieu

Our first stop was to see IRATUZI Jean de Dieu, a young man who recently lost his mother to cancer. He never knew his father or siblings and now lives alone in a small mud house with no windows.

GIFTS Rwanda sponsors his education, but his needs go beyond school fees—he needs food, clothing, and a safer home. Starting in September, we’ll be enrolling him in boarding school so he can have consistent access to meals, safety, and his studies. Jean de Dieu is a determined and hardworking student, and I believe he will make the most of every opportunity given to him.

We brought him some chickens to help provide ongoing nourishment and income.

​Visiting Jacques

Next, we traveled to visit IRAGUHA Jacques, whose life has been marked by deep tragedy. His father killed his mother in front of him and his siblings, and is now serving a life sentence in prison. Community members stepped in to adopt the children, but they were separated. Jacques’ current living situation is unsafe and far from ideal—he is many hours’ walk away from his school.

He dreams of attending boarding school so he can focus on his studies and eventually return to live in his family home with his older brother once it is repaired. We walked the steep, uneven terrain he navigates daily—two hours each way to reach the community center, the place where he feels safest. Our goal is to help him transition to a home where he can feel secure and loved. Here is a video of us walking down to his home and here is a video of us walking up. 

​A Stop at the Basketball Court

On the way back, we visited the basketball court you helped make possible. It was buzzing with energy—multiple games were in progress, and children were playing all around. Seeing it so alive was so fun.
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The only challenge? The court is close to a cliff, which means balls often roll down the hillside. A fence would help protect this much-loved community space.

​Time at the Community Center

We ended the day back at the community center and got some work done. Brigitte and Paterne were very busy and let me color with some of the village children using the coloring books and crayons I had brought with your donations. Surprising to me, one of the new mom sewing group graduates who we had visited at her shop two days before came in with a beautiful dress she had made for me with our head seamstress Claudine. They had surprised me with this gift as their way of saying thank you, they love me, and they want me to see the fruits of the investment I made in them by giving them a chance to learn the skillset of sewing. I love the dress so much—it is absolutely beautiful and I couldn't wait to show it off to them. While we were there, we also had the privilege of watching another graduate come to pick up her graduation gifts—a sewing machine and a table. She brought her mother with her, and in a scene I will never forget, the graduate balanced the sewing machine on her head while her mom carried the table on her head, holding the hand of a small child as they walked away. It was such a powerful reminder of resilience, family, and the impact of opportunity.

​Reflections on the Day

Today was a day of contrasts—heartache for the challenges these young people face, but also deep hope in the opportunities we can help provide. It was a day of connection, gratitude, and shared humanity.
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My heart is full, and I’m inspired to see where Jean de Dieu, Jacques, and so many others will go as they move from hopelessness toward hope and prosperity with the support of GIFTS Rwanda.