I just wanted to write a quick thank you to the women of Alpha Xi for doing a "Dress Down for a Dollar" fundraiser during their chapter meeting! Their $25 donation really is going to help buy some much needed supplies overseas. Just a quick reminder to everyone that every dollar counts! The exchange rate currently is 597 Rwandan Franks (RWF) for every American $1. It may not seem like much to you, but that $1 will go very far in regards to an overall total. Thanks ladies! I know it was late notice but it is a great thing you did and I really appreciate the help!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
What is today's NORM for Rwanda?
What day and time is it in Rwanda?
Monday, April 25, 2011
20:6 or 8:26 p.m.
What is the weather like currently in Kigali, Rwanda?
I can't believe it is raining there too.... At least Cape Girardeau isn't the only place that is seeing a massive flood and amazing thunderstorms! This is their rainy season though so at least it is expected to be rainy over there....
How many days until I leave?
Monday, April 25, 2011
20:6 or 8:26 p.m.
What is the weather like currently in Kigali, Rwanda?
 | ||||
| Mon: 77°F | 61°F | Tues: 81°F | 54°F | Wed: 79°F | 54°F | Thurs: 77°F | 55°F |
I can't believe it is raining there too.... At least Cape Girardeau isn't the only place that is seeing a massive flood and amazing thunderstorms! This is their rainy season though so at least it is expected to be rainy over there....
How many days until I leave?
Only 86 days until I leave St. Louis, MO on a plane headed towards Africa!
Current happenings in Rwanda?
Earlier this month, President Kagame addressed his nation and the world to help commemorate the 17th anniversay of the Rwandan Genocide.
Current happenings in Rwanda?
Earlier this month, President Kagame addressed his nation and the world to help commemorate the 17th anniversay of the Rwandan Genocide.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Thank You GAMMA PHI BETA!
It has taken me a couple of days to post this news, but this post is dedicated to the lovely ladies of Gamma Phi Beta at Southeast Missouri State University for their more than generous donation to those in need in Rwanda! I never imagined that such an amazing gift would be presented to me and I am extremely thankful.
One of my Delta sisters and another friend suggested little fundraisers to do with the Greek organizations on campus and I began to reach out to these groups. The problem? School is about to end. I doubted that I would receive much help because of the late notice.... I immediately was emailed back by G-Phi's President asking who to make the check out to. The fundraiser I suggested was perhaps a "Dress Down for a Dollar" at their next formal chapter meeting, donating supplies, or any type of contribution. The $200 check I received literally brought me to tears. The generosity of this is unexplainable and these wonderful women may not even fully realize the impact this money will do in regards to helping those in need. I am listing this donation on my fundraising thermometer since I have alotted extra money to be raised specifically for the programs and supplies needed while in Rwanda for NGO's on the ground. Don't forget that I am also only listing money that is donated or raised from sources OTHER than my own personal savings as of now.
Most of the other sororities have been eager to also get involved and many are hoping to donate some much-needed supplies for me to take overseas and as these efforts progress I will be sure to document it as well. Some of these supplies include deflated soccer balls, band-aids, germ-x, basic first-aid kits, solar-powered calculators, primary school books, children's reading books, etc. I am so excited that things are actually falling into place! I feel so blessed to be part of such a strong and amazing Greek community that is so completely willing to reach out to others and help to contribute to not only the betterment of their own neighborhoods, states, and country, but also the entire world! Yay for SEMO-U Greeks!
I have a couple of funding request forms to finish up this week and a few meetings.... hopefully I will have more to report within the next two weeks about funding through the school.
One of my Delta sisters and another friend suggested little fundraisers to do with the Greek organizations on campus and I began to reach out to these groups. The problem? School is about to end. I doubted that I would receive much help because of the late notice.... I immediately was emailed back by G-Phi's President asking who to make the check out to. The fundraiser I suggested was perhaps a "Dress Down for a Dollar" at their next formal chapter meeting, donating supplies, or any type of contribution. The $200 check I received literally brought me to tears. The generosity of this is unexplainable and these wonderful women may not even fully realize the impact this money will do in regards to helping those in need. I am listing this donation on my fundraising thermometer since I have alotted extra money to be raised specifically for the programs and supplies needed while in Rwanda for NGO's on the ground. Don't forget that I am also only listing money that is donated or raised from sources OTHER than my own personal savings as of now.
Most of the other sororities have been eager to also get involved and many are hoping to donate some much-needed supplies for me to take overseas and as these efforts progress I will be sure to document it as well. Some of these supplies include deflated soccer balls, band-aids, germ-x, basic first-aid kits, solar-powered calculators, primary school books, children's reading books, etc. I am so excited that things are actually falling into place! I feel so blessed to be part of such a strong and amazing Greek community that is so completely willing to reach out to others and help to contribute to not only the betterment of their own neighborhoods, states, and country, but also the entire world! Yay for SEMO-U Greeks!
I have a couple of funding request forms to finish up this week and a few meetings.... hopefully I will have more to report within the next two weeks about funding through the school.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Seka na umunsi mwiza! Smile & have a good day!
I have two great fundraising updates! I found out not long ago that I would be receiving a scholarship through GYC for $200!
Hi Mary Brittany,On behalf of Jesse and myself, I wanted to congratulate you on receiving the GYC Scholarship for the trip to Rwanda this summer! Your commitment to GYC and the summer program is very exciting, and we look forward to working with you closely in preparation for the delegation. Jesse and I will contact you with more information about your scholarship responsibilities soon, but until then, seka na umunsi mwiza (smile and have a good day)!I am so excited and I feel so blessed! I also was able to visit at home with my family this weekend. It was a nice escape from studying. We deided to host a rummage sale on Saturday. I planned to put all of my earnings towards my trip. I didn't expect to even make $100.... luckily for me I exceeded my expectations! I made $190 from the sale of my old stuff!! I marked everything at a quarter or fifty cents. I guess I had a lot more clothes, etc. than I thought! I figured this was a fabulous way to start off my fundraising reporting. Thanks to a fellow delegate, Erika Parkins, I have learned how to add this thermometer to my page. I am not showing my own savings or funds in this thermometer, only what I raise or what I receive from the kindness of others.
Turongera,
Gina
Friday, April 15, 2011
It's Official.... I'm Going to Rwanda!
Now for everyone who isn't quite sure where this beautiful little country is located, I've included a handy map with this post. That's right mom, I'm headed to Sub-Saharan Africa. I have been selected as a delegate for a human rights delegation through Global Youth Connect (GYC), an NGO that focuses on the empowerment of youth to help provoke change throughout the world. We will work quite a lot with genocide victims, at-risk women and children, and traditionally marginalized peoples. We are partnering with Rwandan NGO's that are already established to help support them and provide any assistance that we can. I think it is great that this is not just an international effort and that instead GYC partners with these local groups. We are supporting the idea of "Rwandans helping Rwandans." On my days off I plan to visit and volunteer at a local orphanage as well as visit Lake Kivu. I will also be conducting quite a lot of research while I am overseas. I am lucky enough to have an advisor at my University that is very supportive of research initiatives and has agreed to help me use my findings for a class this fall. I'm overwhelmed, excited and extremely nervous. I have a lot of research to do prior to leaving and a lot of money to fundraise as well. It's definitely not going to be easy! I just received some books from Amazon the other day.... one of which is an English- Kinyarwanda-French dictionary. Pretty impressive. Can't wait to start learning the languages; I doubt anyone is going to be able to understand my ramblings though.
Rwanda is a beautiful place with an impressive group of people and an intriguing history and culture. Most only know the name of this country because of the horrific genocide that occurred in 1994, though. Between 800,000 - 1,000,000 people were slaughtered in just 100 days. This genocide began in April 1994, approximately 17 years ago. I was only four years old when this began. In Rwanda, April is a time for remembrance and self-reflection. The country has come a long way since the genocide, but it is obvious that it still has a long road ahead of it. I am grateful for the opportunity to help in this transition!
I am spending this month evaluating my own life as well and beginning to move it into a brand new direction. During this month of April, I urge you to do the same. Evaluate your life and recognize the blessings that you have surrounding you. Stop assuming that you can only help yourselves and begin reaching out to those less fortunate in your communities and neighborhoods. I've heard quite a lot that "no one cares about Africa" and that I am silly to think that I can make any difference over there. I don't buy that. I know that with the help of others like myself from GYC we really can make a difference. Even if I can help just one person, then this trip will be worth it. Thanks for reading and I'll update my fundraising page soon!
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