Greetings!
It has been a long stretch of time without writing to share about happenings in Rwanda. Much has been continuing as normal with students progressing in primary, secondary, and vocational schools and also supporting a few with university registration fees. The families are so appreciative for the support and care shown by those who give so generously to make all of this possible.
It is quite amazing to realize that this organization (originally Global Capacity in partnership with A Voice for Rwanda and now Urugo Care Rwanda) has been involved in the lives of these families in Rwanda for 16 years! Looking back, it is incredible to see that we have been able to support 152 students over those years. During that time, 84 students were supported starting in secondary school and 68 students starting in primary school. We are grateful that 92 students have graduated from secondary or vocational school through support from our program. Amazing!!!
These students represent 31 families that have been touched by your generosity through the years. Some of these families have been a part of the program from the beginning and still reside in the village where we started working. A few families have shifted to live in different areas as their family needs have changed or there have been challenges finding rental properties in the original village. The support has gone far beyond providing school fees and materials including the supply of breakfast porridge, some home improvements, some medical assistance, some rent assistance, some transportation help, and other guidance/encouragement.
There is no easy way to share the next news: After much deliberation and prayer, the Board of Directors has decided to bring Urugo Care Rwanda to a close at the end of this current school year in mid-July. It was a very difficult decision for all of us on the Board. There are many factors that went into our decision including the following challenges we are facing. First, a positive reason is that a number of the students in the families we support have graduated and the number of students we are serving has been gradually decreasing each year. Second, there are new requirements to be a registered NGO in Rwanda that are increasingly difficult for us to meet as such a small organization. Third, having the financial resources necessary to keep Urugo Care Rwanda going is more and more difficult. And so, with the number of students decreasing as well as the uncertainty in our funding and legal standing with the government in Rwanda, it became clear that it is time to bring our work in Rwanda to a close.
We would love to finish well with our families, students, and staff in Rwanda. If possible, we would hope to give each family and staff member a parting monetary gift that they could use for the next school year or to invest in something to benefit their family. If you are moved to give, we would GREATLY appreciate any donation you can give at this time to bless the families. Our PayPal account is the best way to give but let us know if you prefer an alternate method of payment. THANK YOU!!
It has been our pleasure to join these families through these past 16 years. The extent of your generosity is beyond what we can see or know and it is SO appreciated.
The Board of Directors
Urugo Care Rwanda
Enjoy a few photos of students through the years and see how they have grown up as we walked with them. What an honor!
