Rwandan Family Aided by Vermont Community

When we were finally refused our adoption request in June of 2008, I knew I could either in that very moment of holding that dismal piece of official letterhead praise or curse God. I decided with a deep inhalation to say "thank you" and believe that miracles can occur in ways that hurt and ways that make us blissful. This refusal was a miracle showing us where a door was closed, where our child wasn't- not in Rwanda in June of 2008. I could have felt many things in addition to anger... guilt, shame, embarrassment after holding our own hands out to many in this community and then taking the money to travel all the way to Rwanda only to fail at achieving bringing home a child. "Thanks for the money... I had a great life-altering trip to Rwanda!" In fact, there were all the above feelings of course, but we focused on the acceptance and gratitude mostly. I knew that I went for a reason, and the truth is we assisted an entire family because of my trip at that particular time. To the family, I was an angel who came into a desperate situation and changed their lives forever.


While in Rwanda in 2008, a young Rwandese man named Happy befriended me and took me to the slums. Happy knew a family who was suffering greatly- a widow with five young children who lived in a "house" literally falling down around her. My blog entry about that woman, Clementine is here. In the time since meeting her, our family and other friends in this community and a dear friend in the Bahamas have successfully sent all her children to a good school, clothed them, helped her move twice and taught her to make jewelry. She lives now in a beautiful home in a good neighborhood and has a small store that she runs out of her front room. Her neighbors are supplied with fuel, grains, soap, and other various staples and she is able to pay for rent and food on her own!

She still struggles as many Rwandese do to supply everything needed for her children. In an effort to keep supporting her, I asked her to make as much jewelry as she could in the days I was there. On the day we left Rwanda, Clementine brought the jewelry to me and I now have the task of selling it for a better price than she could receive for it in Kigali...

Joyeuse before and after our assistance
... isn't she beautiful?

Mama Clementine could not wait to get Ariah into her arms. The walk to Clementine's place was about 15 minutes, finally taking us between homes and gardens, laundry lines and privy's. As we we approached Clementine's, people were yelling to each other, to the family, that we were coming. Clementine ran up to Ariah, gasped, covered her mouth with her hand, began to cry and then grabbed Ariah up and held her on her hip. She hugged Ariah and wouldn't let go and for the long while where her eyes were closed, I imagined that Clementine perceived this beautiful 7 year old American as her life-saver. The one who changed the lives of her entire family. Of course others helped, but I don't know what Clementine knows about the people that helped to change her life and the lives of her kids. I just know that she was grateful beyond words to Ariah.

Ariah had brought along some necklaces of her own to give to the kids. One got given to a neighbor girl rather than Clementine's child. It was definitely overwhelming to be in a sea of kids who all wanted to touch Ariah and us as well, and not obvious which ones were Clementine's kids at first. (The boy in the green and baby on photo right are Clementine's.)


The little girls on photo left and right below are Clementine's kids. The one in the pink next to Ariah never left her side or let go of her hand.


The same two children last year when I visited their home...

Clementine's new home! In a great location with cement floors!

Her store supplies are on the left of the photo, but she uses the front room as a sales location as well. In time, with some additional money raised, Clementine and my friend Happy will build a shed type cupboard to enclose the supplies from the elements.

Clementine before our help in the photo below- she was so worried and sad when I met her, just hopeless and helpless. When we saw her this time, she was happy and even had bulked up substantially since they now have food for their bellies!

Many people have woven a web that has sent us to Rwanda twice now. Each time, we were able to touch other people as well as ourselves and we hope to continue the support of this mom and family as well as the orphanage and others. I offer this blog as a tangible way to say thank you to each and every one of you who have helped along the way. You have indeed shifted many lives with your love and compassion. Should you desire to contribute financially or in any other way to the continuation of support to this family, please let me know at jayasun@vermontel.net.