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Student Sponsorships

Education is the key to helping children and giving them a brighter future. For many kids education is difficult. Even though government (public) schools are free there are costs involved. Uniforms, sandals, haircuts, paper, pencils, pens, and other supplies are required. If a family is too poor to buy these things some children remain at home and don't go to school.

City of Joy is making a difference through Student Sponsorships! You can sponsor a student and help them go and stay in school. For a gift of $25-primary school or $50-secondary school, you can help a child. You will receive a picture and short biography of the child you have helped. Your gift will provide everything needed for one year of education.

Gifts are tax deductible if given through our sponsoring church. Make checks payable to:

Living Hope Community Church
7925A N. Oracle #376
Tucson, AZ 85704

Enclose on a separate piece of paper "Todd and Andria- Student Sponsorships".

Or if you would rather donate through paypal (not tax deductible) you can donate with the paypal button located on this blog's home page. Please write a note "Student Sponsorships" on the last page of the paypal donation.

Thank you for changing the world one child at a time!

Todd and Andria

Women of Rwanda - Jane & Sophia

Two women received "Women of Rwanda" sponsorships this week. The sponsorships will help them better themselves through business and personal development. One-on-one mentoring will aide them in life and business skills. Both women will receive sewing machines that they will use in the sewing association or if they choose they can venture off and start their own business.

Women of Rwanda sponsorships are $30/month for 12 months.

Name: Jane Kubwimana

Birth day: December 30^th 1983

Father: John Ntakabamira

Mother: Leocadia Nyiraneza

I have completed primary school in 2003 and my parent s were not able to send me in secondary school, I got married and have 3 children, Vestine Murekatete born January 1^st 2004, second born are twins Kevine Gatesi and Vivine Akarezi , born in January 13^th 2009, they were premature of 6 months. I expected my husband to help but didn’t happen because he went away and he never shows up to see the twins. We were living in rented house yet I had no money to pay, I decided to return to my parents, I was thinking of my future and fail to get an encouraging answer. I thank God my family helped to feed the babies until I started searching for casual labor in construction places but didn’t accomplish a lot. 2 years later cell leaders sent me to join sewing training and I am able to make shirts, skirts and trousers, as we finish the training I would like to work with other sewing members while focus on improving the welfare of my family.

Name: Sophia Mujawamungu

Birth day: September 29^th 1985

Father: Nzigiyimfura

Mother: Emeliene Urimubenshi

I attended primary school in Nyarutovu while in process to complete P.6 I was pregnant and he decided to marry me but didn’t exist for a long time, after six months he chased me out, I had nowhere to go, my parents died in the Genocide and all our houses were destroyed, some friends supported me to repair the house to live with my children, I have 2 children Lionel Uwayo born April 2^nd 2007 and Daddy Ishimwe born December 6^th 2009. Life changed abruptly after registered in sewing group, the fact that I got friends whom we chat sometimes forget all the problems, I am able to make school uniforms, skirts, shorts and bordering, in partnership with my friends we will work together to improve the lives of our people.

Brigitte M

What is your name? Brigitte Mutuyimana

Name of the school? Nyarutovu

Age: 9

Grade: P.2

Father’s name: Andre Iyamuremye

Mother’s name: Mukahakizimana

How many siblings do you have and what are their ages? I don’t have sibling

What is your favorite subject in school? My favorite subject is English

What is your favorite food? Rice, chips and meat

What are your favorite games? I like jumping and hand ball

What do you like to do when you are not at school? I help in fetching water, collecting wood and cooking

What would you like to do after you are done with secondary school? I would like to teach in secondary school.

Women's Center Needs Your Help

The land is bought across the street from our house. One group from America, Dress a Girl Around the World (Hope 4 Kids International), has pledged $10,000 to the new Women's Center! But we need an additional $5,000 for the first phase build.

The Women's Center will be a ministry building reaching out to at-risk women in our neighborhood. Often times women don't receive the same opportunities that the men do. Many women have been abused or have suffered neglect. The Women's Center will bring the hope of Jesus to these women. Through vocational training classes (sewing, crafts, business & leadership, etc.) and Bible studies women of all ages will enjoy a "safe-haven" that will provide them with the tools and resources to develop themselves, their faith and their families.

Twenty-six women have been training in sewing skills and are ready to move into the Women's Center and start their Sewing Association. But we need your help to make this dream a reality.Gifts are tax deductible if given through our sponsoring church. Make checks payable to:

Living Hope Community Church
7925A N. Oracle #376
Tucson, AZ 85704

Enclose on a separate piece of paper "Todd and Andria- Women's Community Center."

Or if you would rather donate through paypal (not tax deductible) you can donate with the paypal button located on this blog's home page. Please write a note "Women's Community Center" on the last page of the paypal donation.

Meet Grace from the Sewing Group

Name: Mukeshimana Grace

Birth day: December 25^th 1984

Father: Straton Nkwaya born in January 1^st 1945

Mother: Adeline Nyiramajoro born July 28^th 1948

She has remained with her mother, father died in the 11994 Genocide, am doing everything at home because our mother is very old cannot be able to grow food even the is far from our place, my sisters were married and have children, we have 2 orphans that we are taking care of. The first one is in primary 5 and second in primary 1, so we do face challenges when they need school supplies and they come to me.

I started April 2^nd 2011, and am doing a job there is a difference to my previous situation, I can make different types of clothes, friendship with others girls and I will try all my best to develop my profession. May God bless you.

Midwifery

Today we met our midwife, Jocelyn. Jocelyn is from Canada originally and now lives in Rwanda helping educate on pregnancy and birth. She has 4 children with her husband who is from Holland....she made us feel so comfortable with our desire to have a home birth.

Home births apparently are on the rise. Midwifery is now a recognized and respected career. Having your baby at home is a valid option and provides a warm, caring atmosphere for one of the most special events in life.

We are planning on having our baby at a friend's house in Kigali. We will live in Kigali the last few months of Andria's pregnancy and receive the care from our midwife and our doctor, Brian Robinson. Andria is confident that this is what she wants and is even considering a water tub birth. It is amazing that a huge percentage of the world gives birth at home...we are just doing what most of the world is doing!

Going to the dentist

My tooth cracked and I dreaded going to the dentist. Living in Rwanda has it's challenges and finding good dental care is one of those challenges. I was able to find "the best" dentist in Rwanda. President Kagame uses her.

I am in the middle of a root canal. I had one in America and it was done faster than I imagine. It is different here. I have had two "treatments" and the pain was pretty intense. Of course the cost, around $140, is much cheaper than America. So I am thankful that I can find dental care here but I am also rather anxious about the pain factor. I am going to "man up" and face the pain head on and believe that everything will work out.