GIFTS Rwanda

26/08/2026

🎓 Education Is More Than a Classroom

Recently, GIFTS Rwanda brought together the parents of children who are receiving educational support for an important conversation:

How can we work together to help our children succeed?

The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between GIFTS Rwanda and parents so that students have the support they need to thrive academically.

Parents also elected their own representatives—including a President, Vice President, Secretary, and two Advisors—to help lead and strengthen their parent community.

Together, they reviewed the upcoming school calendar and discussed the year ahead.

But the work doesn’t stop with a child getting into school.

GIFTS Rwanda also monitors students’ academic progress throughout the year, reviewing their results and identifying students who may need additional support. When illness or difficult family circumstances affect a student’s performance, the team works with the family to understand the situation and determine how best to support the student moving forward.

Because education isn’t simply about paying school fees.

It’s about partnership, accountability, encouragement, and giving students the support they need to succeed.

When you invest in a child’s education, you’re investing in more than a student.

You’re investing in a family.

You’re investing in a community.

And you’re investing in the future. ❤️

Thank you to every GIFTS Rwanda donor who makes these opportunities possible.

19/08/2026

🌱 Growing Hope: How Community Gardens Are Nourishing Families

A garden may begin with a seed, but with care and opportunity, it can grow into something much greater.

Through GIFTS Rwanda's Community Gardens, vulnerable families in Rugarika are gaining access to fresh, nutritious food while learning skills that help create a more sustainable future.

Families are growing vegetables to feed their children, reduce household expenses, and build greater self-reliance.

The gardens support students in GIFTS Rwanda programs, members of the sewing cooperative and their families, families receiving health insurance support, and other vulnerable community members.

For mothers like Yamuragiye Janviere, these gardens have made a meaningful difference.

"🌱 We harvest vegetables and feed our children as part of our daily meals."

Today, families are learning sustainable gardening practices, preparing for future harvests, and growing not only food—but hope.

🎥 Hear Janviere share her story here: https://youtu.be/yYWbtBAQxGg
Thank you to every donor who helps GIFTS Rwanda continue planting seeds of opportunity and creating healthier futures for families in Rugarika. ❤️

12/08/2026

👩‍🍳 One Opportunity Changed Henriette's Future.

Henriette's journey is a beautiful reminder of what can happen when someone is given the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

Through the support of GIFTS Rwanda donors, Henriette completed secondary school, received the supplies she needed to succeed, and continued her education through our Hospitality Training Program.

She studied Front Office & Customer Care, Food & Beverage Service, Culinary Arts, and Coffee Knowledge—gaining the skills and confidence to begin her career.

Today, we're thrilled to celebrate that Henriette is now employed at Impala Golden Restaurant in Rwamagana, where she's putting those skills into practice every day.

Her job is more than a paycheck.

It's the opportunity to support her parents, build a brighter future, and create lasting change in her own life.

As Henriette shared in her testimony:

"I look forward to using what I have learned to improve my life, support my parents, and build a brighter future for my family."

Thanks to your generosity, that future has already begun. ❤️

🎥 Hear Henriette share her story in her own words.

Watch Henriette's story here: https://youtu.be/xEur9zo-d9A?si=-k0B7Dsf7-wuzADz

Thank you for believing in students like Henriette and making stories like hers possible.

Henriette's journey is a beautiful example of what happens when opp...

05/08/2026

🧵 More Than Sewing Skills. A New Beginning.

Three weeks ago, 18 incredible women celebrated the completion of GIFTS Rwanda's seven-month Tailoring Training Program.

But they didn't just graduate with certificates.

They graduated with valuable skills, renewed confidence, and the opportunity to build brighter futures for themselves and their families.

Each woman also received her own sewing machine, giving her the tools to begin earning an income immediately—whether by starting her own tailoring business, continuing to sew at GIFTS Rwanda, or finding employment in one of the Made in Rwanda garment factories in Kigali.

For women like Anna, this opportunity is life-changing. After overcoming tremendous personal hardship, she now dreams of building a tailoring business that will provide for herself and her young child.

And for Josiane, a mother of two, this graduation represents something even bigger. Speaking on behalf of her fellow graduates, she shared her gratitude for the opportunity to learn a profession, earn a living, and become self-reliant.

At GIFTS Rwanda, we believe vocational training is about so much more than learning a trade.

It's about restoring dignity.

Creating opportunity.

Strengthening families.

And empowering women to build lasting change in their communities.

Today, we celebrate all 18 graduates and the bright futures ahead of them. ❤️

🎥 Hear directly from Anna and Josiane as they share how this opportunity has transformed their lives.

Watch Anna's story: https://youtu.be/r9ZjKMozNrU?si=zEgWqtbTBz7lNTE1

Watch Josiane's story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?blm_aid=0&v=WXiCPgLFCMM&feature=youtu.be

Thank you to every donor who makes stories like these possible.

29/07/2026

“This achievement is not mine alone.” ❤️

Those were the words Patrick wrote after graduating from the University of Rwanda with a degree in General Nursing.

Years ago, Patrick faced a future that was uncertain. Financial barriers threatened to end his education after secondary school.

Because of GIFTS Rwanda supporters, he received sponsorship to continue his education. He worked hard, excelled academically, earned a Government of Rwanda scholarship to attend university, and recently graduated as a nurse.

Now he’s preparing to serve his community with the very education that generous donors helped make possible.

His story is a powerful reminder that sponsorship doesn’t simply pay school fees.

It opens doors.

It creates opportunity.

It changes the course of a life.

In his heartfelt letter to our team, Patrick wrote:

“This achievement is not mine alone. It is also a testament to your belief in the power of education and your commitment to transforming lives.”

To every person who has supported education through GIFTS Rwanda—thank you. Patrick’s success is a beautiful reflection of what your generosity makes possible.

🎥 Watch Patrick share his journey in his own words, and read his full letter through the link on our website 🔗 here: www.giftsrwanda.org/blog/this-achievement-is-not-mine-alone

22/07/2026

Just days after we celebrated Shari's legacy together, we have the joy of sharing another beautiful reminder of what your generosity makes possible.

Recently, Eric and Jacques received the keys to their new home.🏡❤️

For most of us, a home is something we may take for granted. But for Eric and Jacques, it represents safety, stability, and the opportunity to dream about the future.

Jacques lost his mother to violence and was separated from his siblings. Eric recently lost his mother to cancer and has been living with his siblings and grandparents in extremely difficult conditions. Despite unimaginable hardship, both young men have remained committed to their education.

Today, because of the generosity of our incredible supporters, they have a safe place to call home.

One of the most touching moments of the day came as neighbors welcomed Eric, his siblings, and Jacques with baskets overflowing with freshly harvested produce—a beautiful symbol of love, community, and belonging.

They weren't just receiving a house.

They were being welcomed home. ❤️

This home will provide safety and stability for Eric and Jacques today, and in the years to come it will continue serving vulnerable children and mothers, creating hope for generations.

It was especially meaningful that this home was dedicated during a time when we continue to honor the legacy of our founder, Shari Shelton. Her vision was always about more than meeting immediate needs—it was about building communities where every person feels seen, valued, and loved.

Thank you to every donor who makes stories like this possible. Because of you, lives are changing every single day.

18/07/2026

🎉 Together, We Did It!

Because of this incredible community, we REACHED OUR GOAL!

When we launched this campaign, we invited you to help raise the remaining funds needed to continue providing education and healthcare for children and families in Rugarika.

You answered with overwhelming generosity.

❤️ Together, our community raised $8,000!

Because of you...

📚 Children like Aline and Gisele can continue pursuing their education.

🏥 Families like Jacqueline's and Lenia's can continue accessing healthcare with dignity and peace of mind.

🌍 Shari Shelton's vision continues changing lives every single day.

Thank you to everyone who gave, shared our campaign, prayed with us, and encouraged others to join this mission. Every act of generosity helped make this possible.

🎥 To celebrate, I've gathered all of this week's stories, including all of the blogs and video testimonials from Aline, Gisele, Jacqueline, and Lenia and have them all in one place. Click the link below or in our bio to revisit their stories, watch their full video testimonials, and celebrate the impact you've made together.

🔗 Read the full campaign stories and watch the video testimonials:
https://www.giftsrwanda.org/blog/category/one-year-later-honoring-sharis-legacy

From the bottom of our hearts...

Thank you. ❤️

17/07/2026

❤️ Her Legacy Lives On Because of You
One year ago, we honored the life of our founder, Shari Shelton.

Today, we celebrate something even greater:

Because of compassionate supporters like you...

❤️ Children are learning.

❤️ Families have access to healthcare.

❤️ Hope continues to grow throughout Rugarika.

Together, we've made incredible progress toward closing the funding gap created by rising costs.

Campaign Progress

Raised: $7,044

Remaining: $956

Today is the final day to help ensure Shari's mission continues changing lives for another year.

Every gift—no matter the size—helps provide education, healthcare, and hope for children and families in Rwanda.

❤️ Click the link below to see the impact you've made, read stories from families whose lives have been changed, and help us cross the finish line.

🔗 https://www.giftsrwanda.org/blog/category/one-year-later-honoring-sharis-legacy

The mission hasn't changed. The cost has.

16/07/2026

📚 Meet Gisele.

Gisele is 16 years old and dreams of building a brighter future for herself and her family.

Without the support of GIFTS Rwanda, she would not have been able to continue her education.

Today, because of compassionate supporters, she remains in school—and she has hope.

"Today, with the support of GIFTS Rwanda, I have hope for a brighter future and am determined to succeed so I can one day support my family."

Tomorrow is the final day of our campaign.

The mission hasn't changed.

The cost has.

If you'd like to help ensure children like Gisele can continue learning and families continue receiving healthcare, we'd be honored to have your support.

▶️ Click the link below to hear Gisele share, in her own words, how GIFTS Rwanda changed her life—and how your support is giving her hope for the future: https://youtu.be/_qEszXBoQyE?si=iXmecbO03WqnZUI4

❤️ Donate here or using link in bio: https://giftsrwanda-bloom.kindful.com

Her legacy lives on because of you.

15/07/2026

❤️ Healthcare Changes Everything

For many families in Rugarika, Rwanda, a child getting sick can bring fear — not only because of the illness itself, but because medical care can feel out of reach.

Meet Jacqueline.

Before her family had health insurance, she shared:

“Whenever one of my two children became sick, we had to stay home because I couldn’t afford medical care.”

Today, thanks to GIFTS Rwanda supporters, her children can receive treatment when they are sick.

Jacqueline reminds us why healthcare matters:

“A child who is too sick to receive treatment cannot go to school.”

Healthcare and education are connected. When children are healthy, they can stay in the classroom, continue learning, and build a brighter future.

Jacqueline is one of many parents whose families have been impacted by community health insurance.

Meet Lenia.

Lenia is a mother of eight children and also cares for her three grandchildren. Every day, she works hard to provide for her family. But even with all of her efforts, some things are simply beyond her reach.

Because of GIFTS Rwanda supporters, her family now has access to healthcare when they need it most — bringing something every parent hopes for:

✨ Peace of mind.

A generous donor has already committed $10,000 toward the $18,000 funding gap created by rising costs. Now, we are working together to raise the remaining funds needed to ensure children and families in Rugarika continue receiving the healthcare and education support they depend on.

The mission hasn’t changed. The cost has.

🎥 Hear Jacqueline’s and Lenia’s stories in their own words and read more about how your support is changing lives. Click the link 🔗 to visit today’s blog and watch their full video testimonials: www.giftsrwanda.org/blog/healthcare-changes-everything-how-health-insurance-is-bringing-hope-to-families-in-rugarika

Campaign Update

🎯 Goal: $8,000
💙 Raised: $5,104
❤️ Remaining: $2,896
📅 Days Left: 2

❤️ Help carry this mission forward. Donate using the link here:
https://giftsrwanda-bloom.kindful.com