News

In 2022, Rwanda eased the Covid restrictions for her citizens and travelers. Food markets opened up, buses and motos were moving, and the country began to transition away from the pandemic.

Education

We have added two new children this year for a total of 21 students in the program. We are delighted to see the first 2 students in our education program graduate from high school. Ephraim and Sandrine joined our education program in 2015, each persevered to overcome daily hardships because they wanted to excel.

They both graduated in the top 10% of their class and are now waiting for results to of their applications to the University of Rwanda.

Each student in our education program is a blessing, and they are working so hard to achieve their best results.

So much credit goes to the parents who know how important an education means to their future.

Not all children are destined to be scholars, yet it is vital we find ways to bring out the best in each student whether it is a focus on the sciences, mathematics, languages or art.

Manasseh has always wanted to be an artist. He struggled through high school, but he always found his peace in the arts. We are funding art lessons for him so that he can find his way with what he loves.

We have been able to provide funding for several additional children, including two young brothers. Here is a thank you note we received from their adult sister.

“I have 5 siblings. 3 are in secondary school and 2 others are in primary school. So I have to pay school fees for all them and school materials. And nowadays schools are somehow expensive. I will use the donation to pay school fees for 2 of my siblings, in 5th grade primary school. Their names are Ben and Moses.

I don’t know what I’m most grateful for. What you did was pretty awesome. You may never realize how helpful you have been. I needed help, and you were there at exactly the right time in the right way. Thank you so much.”

Entrepreneurship

The Umva dyers are back in full swing, creating gorgeous botanical prints on wool, silk and cotton scarves and wraps. Since the Umva project was launched in 2015, we have had two women dyeing fabric in the yard of their home, having to haul water to do so. During this trip, our founder trained three more women to join the effort – a major step forward! Another goal of the trip was to identify a new workspace for all the dyers in Musanze to work together, and to do so more efficiently. We are thrilled to have secured space at Musanze Arts Studio Hub Adventure where Rwandan artists and craftspeople create, display, and sell their work. Here the women will be able to perform the dye work more easily and safely and visitors can visit with the dyers and purchase finished pieces. Establishing this new space will create visibility for the Umva Project within the local community and further afield in Rwanda. Preparations of the space are beginning in March 2023.

MEDICAL

Desange, a 42-year-old mother of one whose son is in our education program, was in critical need of surgery to remove a tumor from one of her fallopian tubes. Thanks to many generous donors, she underwent surgery July 26 to remove the tumor. She has fully recovered, and she and her husband Martin are so grateful. They worked hard to save some money, but it would have been another year or more until they could have paid the full cost of the surgery without the additional support.

Benoni, still in high school, the ball hit him in the face a soccer in early 2022 and broke his front tooth. He has been very self-conscious, trying to keep his lips closed for smiles.

Part of what Rwanda-one4one focuses on is medical concerns and we plan to get Benoni’s teeth repaired. He is a handsome young man, and he needs his health and pride back.

The Covid pandemic has continued to cause great challenges worldwide. Rwanda continues to struggle, alongside so many other countries, to survive amidst the restrictions that hamper daily life. Our dyers are still unable to dye as we are unable to get fabric to them; our taxi entrepreneur and law clerk are unable to work due to lockdowns. Despite the challenges, Rwanda-one4one is helping to keep the families stable, the children continuing with their school studies, and to provide aid in medical emergencies.

Education

There are a couple of bright spots in the gloom. All the children whose education we fund are back in school. Unfortunately, all schools raised fees due to Covid issues including cleaning and safety supplies. We receive the children’s report cards and many are receiving above average grades. We have added three new children to the school program this fall. With education for school age children being core to our mission, we made the decision to continue funding beyond our budgeted levels. Thank you so much for recognizing the value of a good education for Rwandan youth!

Entrepreneurship

The 2021 annual October wool and fiber show in Rhinebeck, NY was a great success for Umva scarves and wraps. Although the show was scaled back due to Covid restrictions, our team put together a beautiful booth with our remaining inventory and did far better than we had anticipated. A bright spot indeed! We have been able to sustain the ladies’ incomes through sales despite the setbacks this year.

Sadly, on December 23, one of the children in our education program passed away in an accidental drowning in Lake Kivu. Freddy was a very serious student preparing for the national exams to enter secondary school; he wanted to be a doctor one day. He was only 12 years old, taking an afternoon break playing with friends at the lake. He will be forever missed by his family and all of us who held him dear.

It is often said in Rwanda: “It is hard but not impossible,” and that is how we must continue our work in this unprecedented time. If they can endure their hardships, we can bring solutions and hope whenever possible.