Amazing Kids!

So while we have been here in Rwanda we have had the opportunity to meet some amazing individuals. People who are inspirational, dedicated, hardworking and caring. We have also met some great kids at the Youth Clubs throughout Rwanda but one group stands out in particular. A group who we have had the pleasure and privilege of meeting with numerous times. In our second visit to the club, a couple of weeks ago, the kids informed us of an idea that they came up with entirely on their own to create a Never Again Magazine. The goal of the magazine would be to spread their message of equality, help them to fight against genocide ideology, and spread awareness to human rights. Their goal in creating the magazine is to have their message reach a larger audience, as opposed to just the students in their school and the people in their local communities. They want the magazine to be distributed throughout all of Rwanda. But they don't want to stop there. They hope the magazine can be distributed throughout the world and they want people from all over to contribute to it. They feel as though if people can learn about these issues, it can help prevent future atrocities, specifically genocide, from occurring (as well as other violations of human rights). The students spoke about the recent violence in Kenya surrounding the elections and viewed it as genocidal since specific tribes were the target of the violence.

The next time we visited, the kids showed us a magazine that they created called The Guide, a newsletter in which they cover all sorts of issues from health, politics, sports, gossip etc. The magazine was so well written and laid out, we were very impressed by their work. Since we want to help these kids we asked them if we could borrow the magazine, make some copies and bring it back to them, so we could have something to show people back home. They said it was their only copy of the magazine and couldn't lend it to us that day but we could come back another day and borrow it. When we asked why it was their only copy they said it was because it cost them nearly $30 to create the 27 page color magazine, which was just printed on regular paper. Because they do not have printing supplies at their school they had to create the magazine and go to an outside printer to have it printed, which is very expensive here in Rwanda. We asked them if they could just e-mail us a copy. They were not able to do this either because they had to borrow an administrator's flash drive to save the magazine and they deleted it soon after. So all their hard work was limited to creating one copy of the magazine. Another magazine/newspaper that their school puts out (which is also completely created by the students) addresses a lot of social issues and was also well written and well illustrated. This magazine is done completely by hand and posted on a board at the school so students can stop by and read it.

The only thing that is standing in these kids way from making these magazines great and widely distrusted is lack of resources. They have four computers for 950 students and no ability to save their work. They had to borrow a camera to take the photos that were included in the magazine, had numerous ideas for cartoons but were unable to include them because they do not have a scanner. Because they do not have printers, they could not print the magazine at their school but had to go outside to have it printed.

The idea for a never again magazine is a great one and we wanted to help them in any way we could in order to help them put their ideas into action.

Through donations and a little of our own money we were able to buy the kids a computer and a printer/scanner combo. We brought them to the kids and helped them set everything up, they were SO grateful.
The best part about these kids, they never once asked us to give them things. We were able to talk with them and we were the ones who said we would love to help you and we will try our best. They were so happy to hear this but were unsure if it was just more empty promises. Once they saw we were committed to them, and kept visiting, they still were not asking for anything, just for our support and encouragement.

While we have helped them a little by providing them the tools they need to create the magazine but we do not want to stop here. When we get back to the states, on WEDNESDAY which is extremely sad, because we do not want to leave, we plan to try and figure out a way to get them more support. We also are going to try and set up partnerships with the students here in Rwanda and kids in America so they can work together, share ideas, collaborate on projects and support one another.

So while we will definitely be talking with all of you when we are back in the states, we figured we would take some time to warn you of our plans so you can prepare yourselves to help us. Some of the things we will be needing are:

• donations of technology - old cameras, computers, laptops, flash drives, recording equipment, printers, ink, etc.
  
• donations of money - in order to purchase items in Rwanda as well as to pay for shipping costs from the US to Rwanda
• donations of time - any one who is willing to help us with anything is much appreciated and we will definitely need all the help we can get
• ideas - ideas of any kind (as long as they are constructive) is always helpful and we appreciate any advice

We are hoping to establish a 501(c)3 org in the states as to better be able to receive donations and funds and have a more legitimate means of funneling things to Rwanda and other places as well as having legitimacy to operate in the US.

Ok so that is my rant for now.

See you all soon.