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(Click to view photos)
From Lori: Antonia and I connected through a mix of Kinyarwanda, French and English. She lost one of her eyes, and talked about serving God and others with her whole self, one eye and all, rather than having an attitude of victimhood. (a translator helped with all that.)
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Yes, there is a chicken at church! St. Francis would approve.
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The Togetherness kids pooled their resources from the farm and bought two cows! Milk for everyone.
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Eric Murangwa of Football for Life. Lead collaborator for Durable Balls for Rwanda project.
This morning Steven and I are invited to attend a stakeholders meeting at the Head Quarters of Rwandan Football Association (FERWAFA) in conjuntion with the former Rwandan Football Players Association (AAFR) and One World Futbol Project to bring Durable Soccer Balls to Rwandan children.
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Cesaria, Claudina, and Kabahire. Young women and leaders in the Togetherness Cooperative.
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Soccer joy! Kids playing with the new indestructible balls from One World Futbol
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A dream come true. A level soccer regulation size soccer pitch on the Togetherness land. Now only goals and nets (and some grass) are needed!
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A special visit from Sandra Cress, Africa Director of One World Futbol. Words of encouragement for the team and the possibility of training resources for faithful coach Viateur!
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Beautiful children of Togetherness Cooperative. We are in the process of setting up an education sponsorship program to be sure these kids are able to attend school. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, contact us at info@africanroad.org.
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A quiet resting place. Safety and peace at the Togetherness orphans Cooperative.
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Time for a little rest.
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Unbelievably beautiful sunset. I am not kidding. The skies have been so amazing this trip – a moody rainy season. This night’s sunset had us all standing in a parking lot, watching the clouds intensify moment by moment. I (Lori) took the photos, and thought – “no one is going to believe this is real.”
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Trying out the new soccer balls on the newly leveled field.
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Serious conversation.
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A great photo of Togetherness members, but the important thing to notice is THE STORM COMING IN THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER.
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What’s in the bag? Kids unpack the soccer balls.
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Mine!
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The girls give a lesson in sharing.
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Somebody’s in trouble. Two somebodies. Drop and give me… makumyabidi?
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Having a serious talk about education opportunities. Etienne, 15, at Togetherness Cooperative.
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Sam and Eli sent a new soccer ball for the Youth.
Here’s to kids in America reaching out in cross cultural relationship!
The team was so excited about the ball. “It’s a very good one.”
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The Togetherness boys soccer practice
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Steven tells Eric and DeeDee about the Togetherness Cooperative.
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Girl Power!
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The teams linger after dark to hear from Rwandese former footballer, Eric Murangwa
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Rotarians (along with Steven and Eric Murangwa of Football for Unity and Peace) visit the well and water tank where in a matter of days a solar pump and system will be installed. Thank you Rotary Club Kigali Gasabo, Richard Ares, and 8 Portland metro area Rotary clubs for partnering to make this possible.
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Another precious little one at Togetherness.
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Dear child at Togetherness Cooperative.
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One of the children at Togetherness
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About a year ago Lori Martin was with the mama of this little one. Lori noticed the baby was burning with fever and recommended they get to the hospital. Baby was dehydrated and the timing was good. Today this sweet little girl attaches herself to
Lori every time she sees her. Yesterday she lifted her arms to Lori to be picked up and in the the softest little voice spoke in Kinyarwanda “I love the muzungu” (white person). Somehow I think she knows that she’s here because of Lori’s care.
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Girl power- This Togetherness girl leads the whole community in song and dance with her incredible drum skills.
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Girls of Togetherness looking after each other.
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Emma the excellent driver and guide to all things good takes up sewing (just kidding!)
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New Destiny women all join in for the vision and planning meeting.
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Providance, wife to Steven and president of the New Destiny cooperative shows us a sample of the embroidery work.
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Work in progress.
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I love this design poster! May traditional African women’s wear never completely give way to Western attire- these dresses are so beautiful.
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Janvier shows us the new specialty embroidery machine- an exciting purchase made by the cooperative themselves. The ornate work that can be done with this machine is attracting new customers to the shop.
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Alice the interpreter gives one of the sewing machines a try.
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Lori and I are glad to have time with the women of New Destiny. We had a great meeting and are encouraged to see the growing vision of this long standing cooperative.
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New Destiny Women’s Cooperative with honorary male member and cooperative cheerleader Janvier.
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Tailoring at New Destiny
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More of her handiwork
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Receiving baskets from Esther. I love seeing her when I visit the New Destiny Cooperative. A portion of the proceeds from this purchase go to Esther and a portion go to the cooperative.
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Traditional baskets woven from grasses- by Esther
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Esther suffered great trauma during the Genocide- including the lost of one leg. She suffers terrible hyper-tension and has heart difficulties but has such a beautiful smile and spirit- and makes wonderful baskets. Kelly purchased these from her today.
