Dyeing For Peace in Rwanda

Paccy's mother lives in the Northeastern Province of Rwanda in a rudimentary home with an outdoor kitchen and latrine. Paccy used to fetch water for her 80 year old mother from the nearest well, nearly an hour's walk roundtrip, but she now works and lives too far away to do so.

After scraping together enough money to attend university, Paccy graduated from INES in 2016 and obtained a job in 2018 as a medical lab technician - a triumph - but it required her to move over 4 hours away. Paccy sends much of her monthly income to her mom to help with food and other expenses but cannot afford to pay someone to fetch her water.

I met with Paccy in April 2019 during my annual visit to Rwanda and asked about her mom's welfare. She told me about the difficulties her mom was having with no water. Paccy is incredibly shy; we converse very slowly due to our language challenges. I told her we would try to raise money to install a rainwater collection system for her mom. Her eyes welled up, she lowered her head, and tears began to fall onto her lap. We were silent for several moments. When she finally brought her head back up she smiled, I smiled, and the dream was in motion.

By August Rwanda-one4one was able to fund the water system. Paccy managed the project, sending images and receipts as the work progressed. We paid for a 500 liter tank, a cement platform, piping, and a secure brick enclosure. Rain from the roof flows via a gutter to the tank. Last week we received this message and these photos from Paccy:

Links:

• Rwanda-one4one

Akim is one of the youngsters we are supporting through Rwanda-one4one for education each year. He was born in 2013, but sadly his mother died during childbirth from complications. Postpartum hemorrhage, complications of prematurity and fetal distress are among the main causes of maternal mortality in Rwanda plus the inability to afford hospital care often resulting in at home births and after-care. Akim’s grandmother, at 65 years of age, became his legal guardian and caregiver on his day of birth.

Akim’s family contacted me in late 2013 as their family cow had died and they were dependent on cow’s milk for Akim and the other children as a protein source. They couldn’t afford milk formula let alone a new cow. Through swift and generous donations, we raised funds to buy a new cow, interim assistance to purchase milk locally for Akim and to provide improvements to the cow shed. Within a few months a new cow was at the home and milk was available again.

In 2016, the family noticed Akim’s legs were not lengthening and growing straight. We assisted in having the doctor fit him for leg braces to help correct the issue. In part, lack of mother’s colostrum was a factor. Although this was setback, Akim made up for it in spirit and enthusiasm!

Akim started school at 3 years of age. It is customary for Rwandan children to begin attending school at an early age. For half days, they go to school by foot, learn to carry a backpack and learn very simple school lessons. Now Akim is 6 years old and attends a local school in his village where his grade this year is a B+. He is bright, attentive and enjoys studying. Akim is pictured on his way to school this trimester, dressed neatly and standing straight! He is growing stronger both physically and emotionally. He still lives with his grandmother.

Rwanda-one4one takes a great interest in how well Akim and all the children are doing both in their daily lives and at school. This is the heart of our work and support to the families we are involved with. Thank you for your care and support. It is a blessing they are deeply thankful for.

Links:

• Rwanda-one4one