Meet Mushimiyimana

I was sitting in Santa Barbara reading an article about how the bloody massacre in the war of Hutus vs. Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994, women have become the political winners.  It told about how things have changed and the women who have come to power and are working hard to make sure this sort genocide never happens in their country again.

I remembered seeing the movie Hotel Rwanda and how angry I had been that our country had deserted people, knowing they would be killed.

Even before the war broke out, I had a soft spot in my heart for Rwanda because of the mountain gorillas, which I wanted to visit but am now too old to ever make that difficult trek.

Suddenly, I wanted to sponsor a child in Rwanda.  I checked children looking for sponsors and found Mushimiyimana.  It was a match made in heaven.  She was an older child (those are always more difficult to place), she had been waiting for a sponsor for more than a year and what is more, her birthday was the same as mine (this makes my second "birthday twin," as Shallon, in Uganda, also shares a birthday with me).

And so without even thinking twice, I clicked the "sponsor" button and added her to the ten I already sponsored (and 7 that I just write to).  Today I received information about this little girl.

She's 11 years old.
She is attending school, where her performance is average.

Family Duties
Cleaning Animal care Carries water
Hobbies and Sport
Group games Jump rope Other ball games
Guardians
Father Mother
Natural Parents
Marital status of parents:	Now married
Natural parents are together Father is alive Father is living with child Father is supporting child Mother is alive Mother is living with child Mother is supporting child
Employment
Father/ Male Guardian is sometimes employed Father/Male Guardian is a farmer Mother/Female Guardian is at times employed Mother/Female Guardian is a farmer I look forward to getting to know her better.

Letter from Fred

January 25, 2014

Dear Auntie Sykes

To God be the Glory!!!

Once again thank you for your letter and for the picture that you sent to me.  I am so happy to read it together with my mother.  How are you there?  Hope that you are in good health.  We are praying that God will bless your work.  How is your weather condition?  Here our weather is windy and every morning we're so cold.

About my family is still ok.  We go to church every Sunday.

This January I join our playground demonstrations in school for our city feast.

Continue to pray for my studies.  Thank you very much.  God bless you.

Love,
Fred Cardinal.

Letter from Anjali

Now  that Anjalli is getting older, she is writing more legibly, writes her own letters in English, and writes longer letters.  I loved this one.

11-2-14

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Greetings to you in the name of our Jesus Christ.  I am fine.  I hope that same with you.  How is your family members?  My family members are fine.  I am very happy to write this letter.  I am studying very well.  I am preparing my final exams.  Pray for my education.

Now we are enter into summer season.  Getting hot.

How is our founder day -- our project children played dances and skits on that day.  After we celebrated our suppose Christmas on December 23rd.  At my project premises our school children played Nativity play on that day.  Our college chldren presented a skit.  We enjoyed a lot on that day.

I thank you for Christmas dress, December 25th.  I wear new dress and went to church.  I enjoyed with my family members and friends on Christmas day.

Recently we celebrated our harvest festival.  All family members went to church to take the blessings of God.  After we take part in auction.

Please play for my country, family project and my studies.

I received your letter.  I am very happy that on Christmas times we prepare some sweets and we wear new dress.  Morning 7:30 we went to church and pray to God.  In that time some people help to poor peoples.  We are enjoying this season.  I am so happy to celebrate this Christmas.

My favorite food is rice and dal.  I like spicy hot foods.

Thank you for your support.

Yours loving child,
Anjali