By Nancy Zeller | Founder
As we continue to navigate the uncharted waters of the Covid pandemic, all of us at Rwanda-one4one recognize we are only as strong as you, our caring community of supporters. You give with your hearts and put your trust in our ability to deliver hope to the Rwandan families we serve.
It is a blessing that no one in our Rwandan families has become ill from Covid-19. The children are all back in school, thankfully. We receive their report cards and many are receiving above average grades. They do not have to worry about missing school due to lack of funds, and they are able to enjoy school meals again.
Unfortunately, schools have raised fees almost 30% since reopening to cover pandemic-related expenses. The financial strain on families that could barely afford the fees before has caused many children to have to leave school. If it were not for our donor funded education project, the children in our families would also be at home. Thank you so much for recognizing the value of a good education for Rwandan youth!
We also continue our focus on health, both physical and mental, for the families we support. The stress and worry during this uncertainty have caused issues that need medical attention. The silver lining in all of this is that Rwanda has, thus far, been spared a heavy infection rate.
Our founder, Nancy Zeller, has made all the travel preparations to travel to Rwanda in September. The women will be able to create more Umva wearable products, and the visit will do all the families good. She brings reading eyeglasses, donated cellphones and laptops, and other necessities. (If you have a generation 5 or later cell phone you can donate, let us know!) All are eager for the visit and to get to work creating Umva one-of-a-kind originals. When Nancy returns, she will prepare to showcase Umva textiles at a New York trade show in October.
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.
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