This summer, Marlene Affleck, a JLJG board member, and Doris are committing to ride/walk 1000 km each in support of the Wellspring Foundation for Education & UMOJA Rwanda. This will include a 300km Bike & Barge bike trip around Holland in late June.*
Many of you have been on this journey with us since the founding of Joyful Living Joyful Giving Foundation on October 23, 2017. And you have the socks to prove it!
We invite you to join us by following & sharing our blog and donating to the campaign.
See QR code below or send your offline gifts to:
PO Box 12019, RPO Murrayville, Langley, BC V2Y 0M6
or e-transfer to: doriso1@icloud.com
*Marlene and Doris are personally underwriting all expenses incurred to do this event.
WHY RWANDA?
Well, for starters, some of Ray’s ashes are there.
Secondly, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, and with all our hearts, we want to stand with the people of Rwanda.
Thirdly, we have deep personal connections with excellent people doing extraordinary things there! Allow us to introduce you:
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A DREAM
More than 20 years ago, when sensitivities in Rwanda were still at their height, ten years after the genocide, the country was still reeling from the loss and the impact of this time of devastation. Those that were suffering the most were the children.
But there were Rwandan champions, Rwandans who understood that education was so important to ensure that Rwandan youth would be educated and empowered to ensure a secure and vital future for future generations.
Richard Taylor and Jeff Komant dreamed of taking everything they had learned about education at university to Rwanda to help educate educators. While there was no lack of schools in Rwanda, most teachers were not trained beyond a grade 7 level. Richard and Jeff imagined what might be possible if that could be changed. So, they took it upon themselves to find a way to educate the educators.
Ray was their cheerleader from the beginning. He served on the Wellspring Foundation Board of Directors under the leadership of close friend and CEO Andy Harrington. From the beginning days of Wellspring until the end of his life, part of Ray’s heart was given to Rwanda. After he passed, I made a trip to Rwanda, and the Rwandan Wellspring staff hosted a Celebration of Life service for him. We sprinkled some of his ashes in Lake Kivu.
Wellspring is more than a dream. It became a reality and a game-changer for educators and the children of Rwanda. It is exciting that the Wellspring Foundation has been commissioned by the government of Rwanda to implement its School Development Program in over 145 schools across two school districts.
This year, Wellspring Foundation is piloting a unique project to strengthen children and their development within their families. A safe, nurturing home environment dramatically impacts a child’s success at school.
the Healthy Families for Healthy Learning Project
It will train 318 Family Coaches, providing coaching sessions for families in 147 villages on healthy relationships, communication, positive parenting, holistic child development, and education.
Over 3,000 families and 11,700 children will be impacted. We pray this will strengthen marriages, improve family communication, and increase student retention and achievement.
Learn more about the Wellspring Foundation School Development Program
CANADIANS, WE HAVE A RWANDAN HERO IN OUR MIDST
Jean Claude Munyezamu has long been an inspiration to our family. Thirty years ago, in the genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda, many of Jean Claude Munyezamu’s extended and immediate family members were murdered in the village of Kabura and district of Kayonza, Rwanda.
After immigrating to Canada from Rwanda, he has spent his entire adult life serving vulnerable immigrant populations in Calgary through UMOJA Community Mosaic. Today, UMOJA runs sports programs, training clinics, mentoring, community events, and a culturally appropriate food bank, offering more than 280 events and initiatives annually in Calgary.
Founder Jean Claude is the recipient of 11 Canadian community leadership awards.
Doris was privileged to meet Jean Claude quite soon after he arrived in Calgary. Through a mutual friend, he became her primary source of transportation for her many trips to Calgary back in the day and long before Uber was a thing. His vision inspired her then and endeared himself to both Doris and the Olafsen family.
So here we are. Almost 20 years since we first met Jean Claude and 30 years past the horrific 1994 genocide. Jean Claude is ready to return to Rwanda to do what he knows best: turn horror into healing by bringing community together, building hope, unity, and peace for children who have grown up in the shadows of killing.
UMOJA’S EJO YOUTH PROJECT:
This project will include building a community centre and hiring a community organizer.
They will work with the community to bring sports and education to Kabura. Partnering with the community schools, Jean Claude will develop a culturally sensitive and appropriate tutoring program, vocational training, entrepreneurship training, and food security for adults and youth.
Jean Claude’s vision includes building not just a centre but a sports field where many of these offerings can take place.
Over 100,000 people will be impacted.
In acknowledgment for all Jean Claude Munyezamu has contributed to Canada and in memory of the one million Rwandans who lost their lives in the genocide, Marlene and I are hoping to raise as many dollars as possible to make this next dream come true.