I want to take some time to thank TEAMworks and their supporters for the opportunity to represent them in Rwanda. It is important that you know the impact of your support as senders, and I hope this message can convey the magnitude of your TEAMworks Rwanda efforts.
Rwanda is best know to the world for the horrific actions during the spring of 1994, where millions were murdered. I was looking to find a people divided and still struggling with the horror of those days. Each morning, I would wake up before the sun and go for a sunrise walk. Each day, the birds would sing, the nuns would work their way to morning mass and the kids of the school would be going to breakfast. Peace is what I found, and a people gracious and eager to greet you with a friendly “Bojour.” The sun has risen and is rising for Rwanda, and its people are working hard to build a unified nation.
The Brothers of Charity, have worked hard to raise up a standard of care for children
with special needs. They are currently working to improve Occupational Therapy services and add Speech Pathology. They are looking to have a full time orthopedic surgeon on staff. They have a full orthotics and prosthetics staff with production facilities, as well as PT services and OT.
They were very hungry to learn from us and grow, and see our relationship extremely valuable for their over 250 children with special needs on campus and hundreds of others at their satellite clinics.
We struggled somewhat with communication at times with staff and families, but overall it was a great success. This was just our second time there, and relationships are building. There is a great opportunity to build a quality relationship to aid them to serve their children in a first class manor. This objective meets ours to aid other nations to care for their children with special needs and families. Being a Catholic charity, the opportunity to share Christs love is central, which also meets Teamwork goals. Most of all, lives were changed and hope was shared, both by our TEAM and our Rwandan friends.
Thank you for this opportunity to build hope with the Rwandan people, and for your participation in the unity of Christ and the care for the needy.