• Esperanza News
• Fred’s Story
• Orphans in Wonder
• Progress Report
• Thank you!
• Why Rwanda?
• Orphan Dilemma and What’s Next

I’m back here in Santa Barbara reflecting on and integrating the miracles and gifts that my experiences in Rwanda offer me. Not surprisingly, it takes me a bit of time to wrap my mind around the details of my other “life” here. It’s a multi-dimensional blend of asking what really matters? And, how much is enough? Along with the knowing that we all really do make a difference and love really is the answer. Love that is combined with the will and action to follow our passions. And the wonder that your love and support of our work helps make it all possible. 

But there is more to catch you up on!

Esperanza has a new “home.”  I’m still waiting to hear the details but Esperanza is safely ensconced in her new temporary home with some other Solace orphans. Your donations helped pay for 6 months rent and a stipend for food! Wish we could do that for so many more but it’s a start and we hope that Esperanza knows a little more firmly and deeply that she is being Divinely cared for.

Fred’s Story Our Solace Orphan Program Manager, Fred is another source of inspiration to us. I remember meeting Fred two years ago on my first trip to Rwanda. At the time he was 28 years old, very reserved, self-conscious and could hardly look me in the eye. Fred was 14 years old at the time of the genocide. All his family were killed and he was left to die in the road where he lay for many weeks with is right hand chopped off almost to his elbow and severe injuries to his right leg. His “godfather” found him and took him to the hospital where he remained for one year while the doctors tried to save his leg. At times he was in such pain that he begged them to amputate his leg. In the end, after five surgeries, they were able to save it.

Fred went to live with his godfather and his godfather’s wife. He was desperate to return to school and even though everyone doubted he would be successful he learned to use his left hand to write and continued with his studies. Understandably, there were many things Fred was unable to do to care for himself or to be “productive” and eventually his godfather’s wife turned him out of the house.

Fred lived alone in a small “room” (more like a closet). Often he would not have anything to eat for four days at a time but still he made it to class. He told me that he wanted to die many times and that he was always angry at God asking, “Why did you let me live only to have this wretched life where no cares about me and I am useless?”

Then his “landlord” told him he must leave. With nowhere to go and no hope for the future he locked himself in his room, closed his eyes and waited to die.

Unbeknownst to Fred, friends at Solace Ministries were looking for him and praying for him. The short version is that they found him just in time and found him a temporary place to live and odd jobs to do – that was when I met him two years ago. Today he is a different person. He believes in miracles and God’s blessings, he has a sparkle in his eyes and a smile that is strong, warm and compassionate. And he is our “point person” for helping Solace orphans!

Orphans in Wonder Despite all the traumatic issues we deal with I am always in wonder when our orphans are given a chance to share some of their experiences with our Grace Process exercises. At the orphanage we have a competition to see which group can come up with the greatest number of things to be grateful for in three minutes. Several groups come up with 39 things they have to be grateful for. And they are truly inspirational – including everything from their teachers and fellow students, to having a place to live and study (no one mentions the lack of electricity or having to sleep 8 kids in bunk beds made for 4), to laughter and singing, to the torrential rain that is pounding on the no-so-leak-proof tin roof, to God’s love for them.

Can you make a list like that right now in three minutes?

Later in the week as we are closing our program with Orphan Head of Households we ask them to take 10 minutes in silence to find something to be in wonder about – to find the Divine in something – and share it with the group. Their responses are just as profound as any “spiritually enlightened” group I have ever worked with.

I saw how God is alive in me – in my very own strengths and talents.

I saw God in Bert’s moustache and I was in awe of God’s creativity. His moustache reminded me of my grandfather (who was killed in the genocide) and our loving times together.

And my personal favorite from a boy named Eric who brought up his friend Dhisengi to the front of the group and said:

I saw my own reflection in my friend’s eyes. We are connected. We love each other. I saw God in him and because of that I could see God in me.

This is just one of many moving experiences that makes me know that love heals, that peace is possible and that these children and all our children can be the beacons of light that will help us get there.

Progress Report: While there is much to report here are the highlights for now.

•  In one year since our 2008 program trauma incidents at the orphanage have been reduced by 90%!
• Our before and after PTSD survey indicates a 20+ percentage reduction in overall symptoms for our 2009 program participants.
• 130 of 550 children at the orphanage are now trained to help themselves and others heal. They are clearly excited and have a great momentum of hope for their healing.
• The miracle of WATER! Our water tanks, donated by Bert Fellows, Barbara Stone and the Pacific Grove Middle School are making a huge difference in daily life for our orphans. Three more tanks would service the whole school! 
• We are VERY close to getting electricity for the orphanage! $2,000 US dollars is needed to arrange the hook-up. $500 has already been pledged.
• Assistance is also being enlisted to put a new roof on the “library.”
• Solace Orphan Heads of Households are being supported with an emergency fund for food, shelter and medical needs as well as an education fund for school fees.
• We’ll keep you posted on our film!
• New website coming soon also.

Thank you! Gratitude that flows into love, joy and wonder is the only way I can express how I feel about all the support that makes this work possible.

• To our team, Barbara Stone, PhD, Bert Fellows, MA, and Christopher Lowman for your heart, commitment, and many gifts and talents.
• To our filmmaker Eric Huurre for your heart and wisdom behind and in front of the camera.
• To our donors for your heart, resources and belief in us and our orphans.
• To our orphans for being beacons of heart, hope, resilience and dignity showing us the way for what is possible.

Why Rwanda? Rwanda has one of the highest rates of orphans per capita in the world with over 850,000 orphans. An estimated 100,000 are orphans in charge of caring for 2 to 6 other orphans. What I have seen in three visits to Rwanda convinces me that out of the great tragedy of genocide many miracles and gifts are possible.  Even our relatively small efforts are bearing fruit very quickly. These children are my teachers and partners in healing.

They show me that given the right resources and commitment they are capable of lighting the way for the most pressing issues facing our world today. If they can survive the greatest of human tragedies, prolonged hopelessness and poverty and still emerge with a willingness to forgive, to reconcile and help others do the same then our commitment to them is also a commitment to a new standard of hope and healing for ourselves and our world.

Orphan Dilemma and What’s Next. Of course the potential is great but the dilemma facing our orphans is also a great challenge. Just like the Lost Boy Soldiers, I think of our kids as the Forgotten Child Survivors. As teenagers and young adults ranging from 15 to 25 years old, the very few and limited resources available to those who can navigate the system are now dwindling.

Government resources are now going toward re-patriating young refugees – and while these youth are also well-deserving – critical resources like food, shelter, clothing, education and jobs are now are prioritized for refugees leaving our orphans even more underserved, with fewer options for the future and yes, forgotten.

Stay-tuned – I’m gestating away here on next steps for supporting our children in their healing and taking their place in our world as Heart-Centered Leaders. I know that if we could accomplish what we have in just two years, then when we face seeming obstacles they are really just evidence of more miracles coming! Your wisdom, resources and suggestions are always welcome.

Donations for our Emergency Orphan Fund, electricity at the orphanage and/or our budget shortfall are welcome! For donation info click here.