Updates on Erik and Penninah – Transforming Lives Through Your Support

Do you remember Erik? He’s now 17 and carrying a responsibility that would be overwhelming for many adults—caring for his three younger siblings: Liliane (16), Jeremy (12), and Vedaste (8). Tragically, six months ago, they lost their mother, Clementine, after she battled heart disease, along with liver and kidney failure. With no parents to guide them, Erik has had to step into a leadership role for his family.​

But thanks to your generosity, Erik is now attending secondary boarding school to pursue his dream of studying construction. Through our Give $5, Challenge 5 campaign, we raised enough to make this possible. While Erik is at school, his younger sister, Liliane, is taking care of their two younger brothers, and we were also able to fund her continued education at the local secondary school.

Erik has been in school for three months now because of your support, and recently, he came to visit our Director, Brigitte, at the GIFTS Rwanda center. Brigitte gave him some money to buy food for his family, and he sent her these photos.

They are not very clear but we are incredibly proud of Erik—his responsibility, his care for his siblings, and how he’s stepping up in such a difficult situation. Your generosity has given him and his family a chance, and we can’t thank you enough for being part of their journey.

Another student I am thrilled to share an update about is Penninah. Because of your support, she has just begun her second year of university! As part of the funds raised during our Giving Tuesday 2024 campaign, we were able to allocate $400 to buy Penninah a computer. This crucial tool will help her stay on top of her studies and excel in her classes.​

To give you a glimpse of the impact you've made, our team member Paterne captured some beautiful photos of Penninah as she walked into class for the first time with her new computer. Her smile says it all—it’s a symbol of hope, opportunity, and the brighter future she’s now working toward.

These incredible stories of progress are made possible because of you. Thank you for continuing to transform lives in Rugarika.