Chase & Carlos traveled to Kigali, Rwanda, twice since the summer of 2017: "During our time here, we have fallen in love with all of the students, but there is one student in particular that we recognized a little piece of ourselves in. His name is Jean Baptiste. He is 17 years old. His combined work ethic, discipline, and passion is something that inspires us to want to help him. Having completed MindLeaps' program, all he needs now to change the poverty in his family is an education."
When we met Jean Baptiste, he was unknowingly suffering from severe dental issues that, had they gotten any worse, would have affected his brain. Luckily, we were able to intervene and pay for him to get a healthy smile, and as you can see in the photos, he is now a beaming 17 year old. To succeed in the next step of his life, he needs a good education in order to move into a stable vocation leading to a path out of poverty.
Jean Baptiste has been through MindLeaps' program, and he has grown in all the cognitive and life skills needed for him to be successful in school. For $2,000, you can help pay for him to have a clean dormitory, good food to eat everyday, uniforms, books, and individualized tutoring. This is the spring board for all of his dreams to come true.
At MindLeaps, dance is about transforming the perceptions and behaviors of street children, thereby helping them re-integrate into society. Instead of begging on the streets, MindLeaps students become active members of society who participate in formal education, enter the employment sector, and are engaged in their communities.
