https://www.giftsrwanda.org/, https://giftsrwanda-bloom.kindful.com/

GIFTS Rwanda, Rugari (2026)

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

14/07/2026

Campaign Update

* 🎯 Goal: $8,000
* 💙 Raised: $5,104
* ❤️ Remaining: $2,896
* 📅 Days Left: 3

The Mission Hasn’t Changed. The Cost Has.

Because of your generosity, we’ve already raised $5,104 toward our $8,000 goal!

💙 That’s 64% of the way there.

Thank you for helping ensure vulnerable children remain in school and families continue receiving community health insurance.

You may be wondering why we’re raising funds for these same programs again this year.

The answer is simple.

The children haven’t changed.

The families haven’t changed.

Our commitment hasn’t changed.

The cost has.

Rising costs throughout Rwanda have made it significantly more expensive to provide the same education and healthcare that GIFTS Rwanda has faithfully offered for years.

This campaign isn’t about expanding our programs.

It’s about protecting them.

We’re only $2,896 away from reaching our goal.

If you’ve been thinking about giving, we’d be honored to have you join us as we finish what we’ve started.

❤️ Donate using the link here:
https://giftsrwanda-bloom.kindful.com

Her legacy lives on because of you.

12/07/2026

📚 She Almost Didn’t Get to Stay in School.

Meet Aline.

When Aline’s father became seriously ill, her mother was suddenly left to provide for their family and find a way to keep six children in school. As their financial situation became more difficult, Aline began wondering if she would have to leave her education behind.

Then everything changed.

Because of generous GIFTS Rwanda supporters, Aline’s school fees are paid, she has the supplies she needs, and today she is thriving in school.

In her own words:

“Without GIFTS Rwanda, I truly believe I would no longer be in school.”

❤️ Hear Aline share her story and learn more about how your support is helping students like her continue their education. Visit the link in our bio to read her full story and watch her testimonial.

As we honor the legacy of our founder, Shari Shelton, we are committed to continuing the mission she dedicated her life to: creating opportunities for children and families in Rwanda.

The mission hasn’t changed. The cost has.

If you’d like to help keep students like Aline in school, we would be honored to have your support.

Donate using the link in our bio or visit:
https://giftsrwanda-bloom.kindful.com

Her legacy lives on because of you. ❤️

09/07/2026

Today in Rugarika ❤️

Yesterday, as we marked the one-year anniversary of our founder Shari Shelton’s passing, our team in Rwanda chose to honor her in the most meaningful way they knew how—by continuing the work she dedicated her life to.

Their first act of remembrance wasn’t a ceremony.

It was helping vulnerable families receive community health insurance.

Brigitte, our Country Director, shared these words with us:

“Although she is no longer with us, her vision, compassion, and dedication continue to inspire everything we do. We remain committed to keeping her dream alive by serving our community with the same kindness, hope, and generosity she shared with so many.”

This is Shari’s legacy in action.

As we work to close the remaining $8,000 needed to fully fund education and healthcare for the coming year, we invite you to be part of continuing the mission she started.

❤️ Donate through the link in our bio (Instagram) or using the link below (Facebook):
https://giftsrwanda-bloom.kindful.com

Her legacy lives on because of you.

GIFTS Rwanda

05/08/2026

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22/07/2026

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