Sharing Our Good Fortunes

Over the last six weeks Imbabazi has been able to share some of our donations with people in our community. Every time we receive a donation that does not work for our young adults we save it. Once we have collected enough items we distribute them to groups and people. Four times a year we clean out our storage room and assess what we have. This is a big job. Luckily two of Imbabazi's young women were there to help us (and have a little fun)! Together we sorted through all the items Imbabazi's can't use and decided where to donated them.

Over the past year we have received an abundance of pencils. Our children are required to use blue and black pens at school. This is true of all schools in Rwanda. However, we were able to find an art school in Nyundo (near Gisenyi). We contacted them and they were in need of pencils. We were able to donate a large suitcase full!

Next we stopped at Noel Orphanage. At Imbabazi we care for mostly teenagers. However, we sometimes receive donations meant for small children.This is not a problem because we can always find small children that will feel great joy from receiving a small toy. The children of Noel were very excited to receive Frisbees, kites, stuffed animals and other toys!

Another day we made a trip to the Mudende Health Center. This is the clinic located in our village. We were able to donate two microscopes, two stethoscopes, several fist aid books and first aid supplies.

Also, our good friend Shelley came to visit Imbabazi. She brought several stuffed animals and toys donated by her grandchildren. All of the children of Imbabazi's workers were able to come and receive a toy. For some of these children it was the first toy they have ever had! You can see all of their smiles!

At Imbabazi we enjoy bringing happiness and lending a helping hand to others. Thank you to everyone who has made a donation and to the young adults at Imbabazi for helping the staff deliver these donations!

We Need Your Help!

Dear Friend,

Thanks to your support, 2012 has been a very successful year for Imbabazi- full of goal realization and transition. Not only are our children growing up and completing their education but our farm is now self-sustaining. We celebrated the commemoration of Roz’s 100^th birthday and 18 years of work with orphans in Rwanda! With the end of the year upon us, I would like to take a moment to tell you how your donations have helped make an impact on the lives of children this year.

• 21 young adults have completed their secondary/vocational school education.
• 19 young adults have completed internships.
• 10 young adults found jobs and transitioned to living independently in the community.
• 4 children began university and one graduated- making him our first college graduate!

Additionally we:

• Doubled the amount of land under cultivation for a total of 32 acres planted in potatoes and corn.
• Started a specialty vegetables business selling mushrooms, artichokes and rhubarb.
• Planted 15,000 trees in our forest.
• Provided jobs for 50 people in our community through our farming projects.
• Renovated Roz’s house and created a comprehensive and informative tour of the grounds and orphanage, including many historical facts, humorous anecdotes, pictures, etc.
• Started a traditional dance troupe that performs for visitors and employs 15 local community members.

At Imbabazi, we understand the challenges orphans face every day in Rwanda – access to quality education, healthcare, love and support. These are our priorities. By donating to Imbabazi, you are helping us provide guidance and financial assistance when children complete school and become independent, education and practical skills training. It is our hope that each one of Roz’s children will go on to lead meaningful, independent lives in the community. You make it possible.

New this year is our Reunification Project. The Rwandan government policy states that orphans must be integrated into the community and no longer live in orphanages. This affects 31 of our children. We are working with our children and local government to collaborate with extended family members or surrogate families with whom they can be placed. We assess every family before a child is placed and conduct several follow-up visits. Each child will continue to be supported by Imbabazi until they graduate from secondary/vocational school, including their education, personal needs and medical costs.

Imbabazi will continue to grow and develop as an organization as we transition from being a residential facility for orphans to a community education center offering programs aimed at children and young adults. In addition to caring for 31 orphans, in 2013 we plan to:

• Conduct English and computer lessons in the Roz Carr Cultural Center.
• Enhance education at Kanyundo Primary School through volunteer teachers.
• Create a museum to honor Roz Carr and her life here in Rwanda, celebrating her friendship with Dian Fossey and highlighting the work of Imbabazi over the last 18 years.
• Obtain our non-profit status in the U.S.

Imbabazi has successfully built income generating activities, through our farm and tourism project, that make a profit. This money was used to pay for half of our administrative costs in 2012! This is our largest accomplishment to date in this area! Next year, our goal is to fund 80% of our on-site administrative costs through income generating activities.

We have accomplished many goals over the last year but there is still more to do! We need your help to continue transforming lives of children in Rwanda.

By donating to Imbabazi today, you are investing in the future of children; who are the future of Rwanda. Your gift will provide care and education for orphans and create educational opportunities for community children.

You can make tax-deductible donations by visiting our website at www.imbabazi.org or mailing a check to Imbabazi, PO Box 383, Lionville, PA 19353. Please make the check payable to Partners In Conservation (our 501(c)3 affiliate).

Since I began working with Imbabazi in 2010, I have witnessed several success stories first hand. I am continually inspired by our children’s educational achievements and our community’s hard work. Everything we do is made possible by our supporters. I thank you in advance for your continued support. Your donation makes a direct and lasting impact on the lives of children in Rwanda.

You can follow our work at www.facebook.com/imbabazirwanda or www.imbabazi.org. Please look for our new website after the first of the year!

Thank you for being a part of Roz’s legacy and the future of Rwanda. On behalf of the Imbabazi family, I wish a special holiday season to you and yours.

With appreciation,

Devon Kuntzman                                                                                                                                                                   

Executive Director      

Until Next Time... Our Friend

This month we celebrated someone special at Imbabazi - Ashley - our Peace Corps Volunteer. November marks the end of her service with Imbabazi.

Her journey with Peace Corps has been interesting and full of surprises as she began her service in the Northern African country of Niger. After 6 months, she was evacuated due to security concerns. She spent one month in Morocco waiting for her next assignment. She was reassigned, along with three other volunteers from Niger, to Rwanda. After one month of Kinyarwanda language training she arrived at Imbabazi in March 2011.

The Peace Corps Program reopened in Rwanda in 2009. Since that time Imbabazi was interested in receiving a volunteer. So when Ashley was assigned to us we were very excited!

In her first months at Imbabazi it was clear she was a good fit for our organization. Her laid back, objective and humorous personality, her ability to adapt quickly to situations and her willingness to be part of a team helped her become an integral part of Imbabazi and our community. She spent her first few months getting to know Imbabazi's children and our community allowing her to learn Kinyarwanda quite well.

During her time at Imbabazi, Ashley accomplished and managed many activities including:

1. The categorization, organization and distribution of physical donations received by Imbabazi.
2. The creation and distribution of our quarterly newsletter the Imbabazi Insider.
3. Wrote and edited articles and documents for Imbabazi including our blog and Facebook posts.
4. Taught English to Imbabazi children, workers and local government leaders.
5. Managed our children's communication with their sponsors by helping them write letters to them
6. Coordinated music lessons for Imbabazi children in conjunction with Sound School
7. Coordinated Through the Eyes of Children (TTEC) Pay it Forward photography project
8. Jumped into different Imbabazi activities as needed to keep operations running smoothly

By the end of her service, Ashley was loved by our staff and community having earned their respect and trust. Her going away party was held at Imbabazi. Some people walked more than an hour to give Ashley their farewells wishes. Everyone enjoyed Fanta, cake and music. Many Imbabazi workers and community members gave speeches of appreciation. Finally, the traditional drum appeared and the dancing started. It was great to see everyone having such a wonderful time.

We are sad to see Ashley leave but are grateful for everything she has done for Imbabazi. We all gave her hugs and said "Until next time our friend!"

Turbulent Times

Some of you may have already read about the increased rebel activity and fighting in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) along the Rwanda border. I want you to know that all children, workers and animals at Imbabazi are safe and sound. This is a very tense and stressful for time for Imbabazi as we are located close to the DRC border. At times we have heard the fighting which makes us all feel on edge.

Our local government officials and police have come to reassure the children and staff that they are safe. The children have been particularly concerned as for some it brings back memories of being separated from their parents and living in fear before finding a home at Imbabazi. For others, it is their first time to hear fighting which is just as concerning. We have been meeting regularly with the children to listen to their questions and concerns and reassure them.

Throughout this turbulent time, Imbabazi operations are generally continuing as usual with the exception that plans to reunite some children with their families have been temporarily suspended. We have still been delivering our weekly flower bouquets and vegetables and  receiving visitors with our tourism project.

We thank all of our friends and supporters for their concerns, prayers and notes of encouragement.

Celebrating 1 year of English!

This week we celebrated one year of English classes for our gardeners and staff! Although they are only able to have one 2-hour class a week, they work very hard and can often be spotted studying together from their notebooks during their breaks in the afternoon. They are eager to practice their conversation skills with our English-speaking staff and visitors. We celebrated with a small party at Roz’s house, complete with chocolate cake, orange juice, speeches and a certificate ceremony. The students were very happy and proud of their hard work, as you can see below – congratulations!

Our proud staff members with English teacher Ashley

Family Reunification

A new program has begun at Imbabazi; Family Reunification. It is in response to the Rwandan government mandate to place orphans with families in the community. The government is working with orphanages to ensure compliance with the new policy.

Imbabazi identifies family environments in which children can be placed including distant relatives and surrogate families. We have qualified staff members who visit families before and after reunification to ensure living conditions are safe and satisfactory and that the child is adjusting well. We only place children in secure situations where they will benefit from being with a family and living in the community. Upon reunification, Imbabazi continues to support their education and personal needs and provides financial assistance to the family.

Most children at Imbabazi have several distant relatives and visit them on a regular basis during the school holidays. We are happy that they already have a relationship with their relatives.

The children of Imbabazi will forever be a family. They are always welcomed to come back and visit and often do especially for our yearly memorial to celebrate Roz’s life.  Our independent young adults have even started a group called Reba Kure – which means “look beyond.” This group is meant to keep the Imbabazi family together and support each other.

We are deeply committed to the children as well as Roz’s vision and legacy. Even though our residential orphanage activities are coming to a close; we will continue to support and care for all of Roz’s children until they graduate from school and find jobs. Our sponsors are very important part of this process.

Imbabazi’s future is very bright. Our goal is create new and support existing educational programs for children and young adults in our local community. The Roz Carr Cultural Center (a special building on Imbabazi’s property) houses our first educational programs; English classes and computer lessons. These programs are just the beginning!

More information to come. Please contact our Executive Director, Devon Kuntzman, at devon@imbabazi.org.

All of Imbabazi’s activities are made possible by our generous supporters. Thank you for continuing to make a difference in the lives of children in Rwanda. 

New Mural in the Refectory

Here are some pictures of the fantastic mural that Imbabazi children painted in the refectory over the summer vacation. Our art volunteer, Anna, helped guide the children in painting this over the course of her seven week stay. Great work to everyone who helped!