Stories from Rwanda

Time is flying. two weeks full of days with students - secondary and university - Wow! What charisma, determination they possess!  How far they have come and how high they reach. Most want to graduate in medical or teaching professions, determined to help in like manner as they have been helped.  Joyful gratitude pours out of them for the singular opportunity of their young lives provided by us. Three years in boarding school launched them into a new orbit of salaried work or university from which they will lift their families and more.

A village leader came to us our first week with plea to repair the dilapidated house of an old couple. Bulging adobe walls, leaking roof, disgusting latrine. We agreed and brought our builder team on site. You can see in photos how the work goes forward with only hand tools, bicycles and bent backs to deliver materials.  It was hard dirty work for 3 days with father, mother and 18yr old daughter slogging through it with our team. Not a smile to be seen in all that dirt until on 4th day 2 bed frames arrived in pieces by bicycle. it was a complete surprise to the family who gasped and threw up their arms, breaking into huge smiles. We had pulled out the grass mattresses the first day and knew we had to add beds to the budget.  The first beds they have ever slept in.  They are delirious with anticipation.

We review curriculums for entrepreneurship training searching for the next thing that will empower our kids to gain traction after secondary. Also discussing and planning for an Alumni Association to create the platform for our 250 secondary and uni grads to initiate their own interventions to help the vulnerable in their communities in the future.

Friend Bryan and I return on 6th.  Lots to accomplish by then.  

blessings,  John Jordan.