Isn’t it remarkable when you get a gift from God that you didn’t expect? That is exactly what happened on the Hope Haven Rwanda campus when local businessman Don Rutagemwa visited.
Hope Haven Rwanda was buying manure from Don’s farm to fertilize our fields. One of the key components of Hope Haven Rwanda‘s program is our “Learning and Earning” program. The gardens and fields on our campus are the catalyst for parents who are unable to pay tuition fees. These amazing, hardworking parents are able to serve in the fields to pay for tuition. If they work one half-day each week, we offer them a credit for a week of tuition for their student.
Of course, since many of them have more than one student enrolled, you will find them working several days a week. When there is enough work, we are also able to pay them daily wages on top of their tuition credits once they have met the obligation for school fees.
One of the greatest highlights of my day when I am in Rwanda is walking out of my cabin on a bright, sunny morning and finding smiling mothers happily working in our gardens. They are always welcoming, with an enthusiastic “Murakoze” (Good morning) usually accompanied with a wave. It is so gratifying for me to know that Hope Haven is literally offering them dignity, meaningful work and survival for another day—extraordinary!
Following Don’s visit to our campus this is what he wrote me, in his own words: “I was lucky to visit your school and I was humbled to see the impact and contribution you are making to the community. I felt the need to make a small contribution from what we do on our farm to supplement the children’s diet.”
Don decided to donate eggs to supplement our already strong nutrition program. Wow—what a gift! Do you know how may eggs it takes to feed our students? Trust me. It’s a lot of eggs!
I am humbled at the way God works to move in the hearts of people who understand our community and are willing to offer what they have to help.
I’ll never forget what Susan Hollern, our Founder and President said years ago, when she told me: “I was blessed to be a blessing.”
This sentiment rings true in so many examples from our investors both in the US and in Rwanda. There are many generous people who have sacrificially given, out of the blessings of their lives to benefit the students and families we serve. They know they are investing in eternal fruit!
What have you been entrusted to steward in your life? Is there a window of time, a unique talent or some treasure you can invest for God’s work today? You will not be disappointed in the ROI!
Matthew 25:35a: “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink…”