Welcome to the latest edition of our Ignite newsletter!
Exclusive updates and stories for our Monthly Ignite Community Partners, updating you on the work you’re supporting, the people you’re partnering with, and the lives you’re impacting.
Speaking Up & Sparking Change
Jacqueline* is a teenager with a story to tell and a determination to tell it. Her courage has been hard-won through experiences no child should ever have to endure. But the healing she has experienced fuels her determination to see others experience freedom and hope.
Like many of her peers, Jacqueline’s early years had been defined by struggle and poverty. It was difficult for her family to afford school materials, so it seemed fortuitous when their neighbour offered to shop for materials with Jacqueline. Sadly, this turned out not to be an offer of kindness, when this neighbour sexually abused Jacqueline on one such outing, and then threatened her to stay silent. And so she buried the pain and confusion of this secret deep inside.
Jacqueline’s school is one of the schools that currently offers the Youth First Rwanda program, run by Wellspring in partnership with WorldBeing. Designed to help young people build life skills, resilience, and wellbeing, this program touches on many topics of relevance to children like Jacqueline—such as human worth and dignity, positive and healthy relationships, sexual reproductive health, and self-advocacy. As Jacqueline progressed through the sessions, she quickly recognized that she had experienced sexual abuse, and she was given the tools to address this violence, to fight against it, and to ensure it would never happen again. Youth First teaches young people how to advocate for themselves and for their rights. And so, in spite of the threats she had received, Jacqueline knew that she had to share her story.
Jacqueline speaks of having been “cured” by the Youth First Rwanda program, as she shared her trauma and processed her emotions with the Youth First facilitators. Jacqueline now takes every opportunity to share her story, and all that she has learned through the Youth First program. Both at school and in her wider community, she is shining a light for her peers and empowering them to take their futures into their own hands. She is equipping young people to say no to those who would exploit their vulnerability, who would seek to rob them of their childhoods, or who would tamper with their God-given dignity in any way.
Jacqueline’s story is only just beginning, and it’s a story of hope. When children are equipped with an understanding of their inherent dignity and worth, and the tools to live into their full potential, there is reason to hope. Thank you for standing with these children as you support their empowerment through the Youth First Rwanda program.
*Pseudonym
Unforgettable Experiences
It takes a special person to get on a plane and fly halfway across the world to the heart of Africa for the purpose of experiencing an organization’s efforts to improve the quality of education for children in that faraway nation. But that’s exactly what four special people did in October when they traveled to Rwanda to see first-hand the work that Wellspring has accomplished there. They were able to actively engage with the work and people who carry it out, visiting schools, meeting teachers and being hosted by Wellspring’s educational experts who have contributed to our reputation for transforming children’s lives.
A remarkable aspect of Wellspring’s work is that it has been accomplished against a historical backdrop of terrible violence of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis. Those who participated in the October Vision Trip began their visit at the Rwanda Genocide Memorial, a well curated exhibit that describes the atrocities, their aftermath, and the lingering effects in this tiny land. Wellspring’s work to improve the quality of education in Rwanda is directly informed by the horror of 1994, as education being one of the best ways to move forward to healing and transformation.
The Wellspring’s talented staff then offered the group a panoramic view of the main areas of our work through the creative use of dramatic vignettes. These 4 areas; teacher and school leader training, youth emotional resilience, supporting families in rural areas and advocacy for improving educational policies, all serve to move the children of Rwanda towards a better future. Seeing this work in action was a main focus of the trip, so the group soon headed out to the countryside to visit some schools. The visitors sat in the back of some classrooms and observed lessons in real time, and then had the opportunity to meet and encourage the teachers.
It wasn’t all school time though! The visitors also enjoyed some play time. They visited with local people at a fabled location, Ndaba Rock. They saw monkeys from a traditional Rwandan boat as it plied the waters of Lake Kivu at sunset. They experienced traditional Rwandan dancers, even getting to their feet to join in the rich tradition. And, they visited the Dian Fossey gorilla exhibit to learn about the rare mountain gorillas that still inhabit the lush slopes of Rwanda’s northern volcanoes.It was a remarkable experience, and well worth the effort. Rwanda is a country that is safe, clean, beautiful, and populated by people who are quick to smile despite the hardship many have endured. Anyone who has ever visited Rwanda with Wellspring is quick to recommend it to those who haven’t. So, don’t miss your opportunity to sign up for a trip in 2024!
Lake2Lake Event Recap
Thank you to everyone who participated with the riding, volunteering, and donating. We had a hugely successful ride, with 25 riders, and raising $70,000 for our education, youth development, girl empowerment and equipping community programs in East Africa! The ride went smoothly, with beautifully sunny days, great food and fellowship, and free massages at pit stops to top it all off. Riders and volunteers had a great time connecting with each other, spending time in the beautiful Okanagan, and making a huge impact on the lives of kids in Rwanda. We also want to give a shout out to all the amazing participants who participated in rides in Ontario (and across Canada) to coincide with the BC event.
Next September will be the 15 year anniversary of Lake2Lake, and we are planning on making it the biggest one yet. Mark your calendars for September 14-15, 2024 – this would be a great one to join for first timers!
Upcoming Events
Reach for the Stars: A Very Wellspring Christmas Events – Dec 7
Friends in BC’s Lower Mainland – we would love to have you join us for our first Abbotsford Christmas fundraiser event. From 6.30–9.00pm on Thursday, December 7th, we’ll gather at Clayburn Schoolhouse to celebrate the season, enjoying snacks and dessert, music, games and prizes, and lots of time for connection and fun. We’ll also hear inspirational stories and updates from Rwanda, and have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and their families.
Would you pray with us?
- For the team in Rwanda that they would have the strength and guidance to navigate the many year-end tasks before the Christmas break.
- The health and well-being of the Rwanda team and their families, as several colleagues and family members have become sick recently.
- For the families and schools in Rubavu District and across Rwanda who have experienced displacements and resettlement due to floods, landslides and earthquakes.
- That the team in Canada be closely knit together with trust, shared passion and genuine relationship in the midst of the challenging non-profit landscape.
- For the Wellspring Board and CEO, that they be given discernment and courage in decision-making as we approach the end of 2023, and look forward to our 20th year of mission and service.