By Rebecca Davis | Executive Director
You are receiving this report as a donor to the MindLeaps' Project "Give Samuel the Chance to Go to School".
We are thrilled to inform you that we raised the full amount needed for Samuel to school! Samuel started school on Monday, January 23. Samuel is attending ORP Care, an excellent school in the Eastern part of Rwanda in a town called Rwamagana.
In the past, Samuel would never have thought this could be his future. As a young child, finding food was always a challenge, and his family was lucky if they could eat once a day. In order to survive, Samuel left home when he was 8 years old to go live on the streets where he would beg and steal in order to get enough to eat. He dropped out of school in 3rd grade.
Samuel started coming to MindLeaps two years ago. Since joining MindLeaps, he has turned his life around and is now one of the top students at MindLeaps. Year 2016 was a particularly exciting time for Samuel. He performed at Heaven Restaurant, a popular place for tourists, and in the Ubumuntu International Arts Festival in Kigali in front of an audience of thousands. His confidence has grown through dance, and he clearly believes he is a new person.
Together, we raised the full $900 needed to help Samuel make the permanent transition from the street to school. These dollars will pay for an entire year of tuition, three meals/day, a safe place to sleep in the dormitory, transportation to the East from Kigali, and school materials. On his first day of school, we also gave him a special outfit and new shoes in honor of you - he loves them (and you)!
On January 23rd, when Samuel arrived at ORP Care School, he couldn't believe that this place of peace and learning will become his new home. "I dreamed of this place. My dream has come true," Samuel said to MindLeaps Country Director.
Many thanks to each of you for making this transformation possible. Shout outs to Corinn, Michael, Andrew, Sawyer, Maureen, Caitlyn, Julia, Oxana, Evelyn, Stephen, Ann-Sophie, Caroline, Emily, Cassidy, Royce, Briana, Nicole, Dane, Gregory AND MORE!
Samuel could not be more excited to return to school. If you would like to receive regular updates about Samuel throughout the year, please send an email to davis@mindleaps.org.
Your generous support made this possible.
Thank you!
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