April 2014 Update

“It takes a village to raise a child.” This ancient African proverb holds true for Hope For Life Ministry (HFLM) as the children we serve depend on the talents, prayers, and financial contributions from hundreds of generous people like you. We have been immensely impressed with how individuals are finding creative ways to get involved in transforming the lives of Rwandan children.

Kaiah painting to raise money for the boys at HFLM!

 

Two years ago, seven-year-old Kaiah lived with her family in Rwanda where they served at HFLM. Kaiah spent her days playing with the boys and developing a deep friendship with them. She remembers, “I saw the kids who lived on the streets near our house. They were lonely and didn’t have anything to eat. I know it isn’t good to steal… but they steal because they need to eat. I don’t like stealing, but I don’t like starving either.” When Kaiah heard about the fire that scourged the HFLM center in December, she wanted to do something to help her friends who have already endured so many challenges in their young lives. Her first idea was to sell her rock collection and give the money to the boys. However, after much thought and encouragement from her parents, Kaiah decided to open a small art business where she paints one to two pictures a week and donates the funds to HFLM. Kaiah hopes the money she raises will buy the boys “…things they need like clothes, books and fun toys”. We are so proud of young Kaiah and the fantastic example she is providing to show us we can all do something to help end child homelessness in Rwanda. (See Kaiah's artwork here!)

 

Buy a pair of Gutanga pants and support HFLM!

Inspired by the resiliency of the Rwandan people and their fun sense of fashion, former HFLM volunteer Stuart Cornutt is using his entrepreneurial skills to support HFLM’s transformative work. Stuart has created a clothing line called Gutanga (“to give” in Kinyarwanda) that embodies the vivid colors and energetic designs he saw in Rwanda. The best part about these fashionable pants is that a portion of each sale goes to HFLM – how awesome! Check out Gutanga’s website at www.gutanga.com or like them on Facebook!

 

Torey at the end of the benefit dinner, feeling honored by the support of her Denver community.

HFLM’s Executive Director, Torey Rozario, was home in Colorado last month and with the help of countless friends and relatives, she organized a benefit dinner that left us speechless. Torey’s goal was to raise $10,000. After a beautiful evening in the Colorado mountains, the 160 people who attended the event raised over $40,000 and money continues to come in! There were also commitments to see 10 of our boys through their entire education! Torey cried tears of joy with each donation envelope that she opened, praising God for the overwhelming generosity of her community. Thank you, Denver, for making this the most successful fundraiser HFLM has ever held! Stay tuned for the final count of the generous donations and links to the touching videos shared at the event.

 

We are so proud of our HFLM community and all that we have been able to accomplish together. May we each continue to use the talents, resources, and time God has given us to give hope to children.   

March 2014 Update

Top: Marie Clarice. Bottom: Eric and Emile

This month, we have the pleasure of introducing you to our newest staff member, Marie Clarice. Marie Clarice is serving as Hope For Life Ministry’s Lead Residential Counselor, supervising the residential counselors as well as counseling each child at HFLM. Marie Clarice is naturally gifted in counseling and possesses a wealth of experience in the social work field. She holds a Bachelors degree in Community Development and is currently working on her Masters degree in Public Administration. Within her first month serving at HFLM, she not only identified areas that needed improvement, but she implemented changes that have made a huge impact on our boys and the overall organization of our home. Noticing the tendency for the boy’s rooms to remain messy and unorganized throughout the week, Marie Clarice made a deal with the boys. If they could keep their rooms spotless for one month, she promised to take them all horseback riding – a new experience for them all. The next day, their rooms were the cleanest we have ever seen them, and they remained that way for the next four weeks!

One month later, 11 of our boys in primary school and two staff members drove to a nearby “ranch.” It was the first time that any of our boys have seen a horse, yet alone ridden one! We expected the boys to be scared, but after receiving instruction, they boldly stepped up and hopped on the huge creatures with utter delight. To top off the exciting day, Marie Clarice surprised everyone with dinner that she arranged herself and an evening of dancing at the venue.

Six year old Claude training his horse: "When I first saw the horse, I thought it was big! But I wasn't scared. I learned I couldn't ride politely. You have to be stern with a horse."

 

Marie Clarice’s creative thinking and generosity not only provided a valuable lesson in the importance of taking care of possessions, but it also led to a treasured experience and memory for our boys. For a week after their horse riding adventure, the boys could be heard telling their schoolmates and teachers of their experience: “Do you know what to do if you’re riding a horse and it starts turning? You have to pull up on the reigns!”

14 year old Obedi, excited to be riding a horse: "It was a good day! I want to ride a horse again."

The past few months have been full of new experiences for the boys, from shifting to their new private school, to hearing their song, “You are Precious,” on the radio in Rwanda and in the USA, and now horseback riding! It has been beautiful to watch the children realize the significance behind these special moments – that they are valuable and their future is not defined by their past.

In this season of goodness that God has placed HFLM in, we hope these stories encourage and uplift you. Please join us in celebrating the transformative work that God is doing through all of our joint efforts. “"For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’" (Jeremiah 29:11)

February 2014

Five years ago, David, Pacifique, and D’Amour were living in a garbage dump; their minds were filled with thoughts of food, shelter, and numbing their pain. They never dared to dream about what their future might look like, as all of their energy was consumed with merely surviving another day. Today, David, Pacifique, and D’Amour have discovered their mutual ambition to become gospel artists, and they are on their way to achieving their dreams. Last year, they formed a gospel band called Shining Hope and produced their first song, “You Are Precious,” singing about their transformed lives since knowing Jesus.

Charlie with Pacifique, David and D'amour outside the radio station

 Last month, HFLM volunteer Charlie Gladitsch brought Shining Hope’s song to a gospel radio station in Kigali. The radio host loved the song and asked if the band would come in for an interview the following day. You can imagine the boys’ elation after hearing they would be on the radio! On interview day, the radio host played “You Are Precious” and interviewed Shining Hope for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the rest of the HFLM boys tuned in to listen as Shining Hope shared about using their vocal talents to praise God and share His love with the world. The host proclaimed he would play their song every day he works!  “You Are Precious” has been playing daily, and the station eagerly awaits for Shining Hope to produce more of their music.

 

The impact has been profound, as they realize that God has big plans for their lives. 19-year-old David said, “I thank God that it happened and I hope God is supporting Shining Hope. It was a huge celebration to have finally made it on the radio. With my background on the streets, I never expected to make music that was played on the radio or to be interviewed. Being with my brothers and having the support of HFLM really encouraged me. When I got home from the interview, I wrote down my whole experience so I would never forget that day. It was a special day in my life.”

 

This is a testament to the vast transformation and endless opportunities that open up when children are equipped to leave street life. We couldn’t be more proud of the incredible men that our boys are becoming!

 

As we continue to encourage Shining Hope’s dreams and invest into the talents of all the boys at HFLM, please consider joining us. To promote Shining Hope, you can:

1. Donate towards the costs of producing their songs (each songs costs $115 to produce);

2. Like their Facebook group.

3. Listen to and share their music.

Thank you for the many ways you support the lives of HFLM children. We trust you are encouraged upon hearing how lives are being changed and how the boys use their talents for the glory of God.