Rwanda
Children
Updates from the Field - Make an orphaned child the “Light of Your Life”
Updates from the FieldUpdates from the Field (or Progress Reports) on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.com by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
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Recent Updates from the Field
Helene's story
By Bhavna Malkani - Digital Marketing and Fundraising Manager, November 05, 2009 10:04 AM
In 1994 genocide, Helene Ntebanganyimana's family fled to a refugee camp in Burundi. On their return two years later, their father was shot dead in front of them. Their mother died of AIDS five years ago. Presumably, she was raped. For all their tragedy and heartbreak, they feel hopeful for the future. Helene's brother Jean de Dieu became the head of the household and never had the opportunity to go to school as he had to look after his two sisters, Helene and Charmaine.
For lighting, the children mainly lit sticks because they seldom have money for candles or kerosene. In addition, they live two hours from any shop.
In October, the family received a Lifelight. This enabled the children to study, to see properly to cook their food and to safely walk at night to the toilet.
Helene wants to use the light to study and Jean says that he wants to make sure everyone is safe at night. They don’t have a mosquito net and he says bugs, ants and wasps bother them at night and now he can see them.
For lighting, the children mainly lit sticks because they seldom have money for candles or kerosene. In addition, they live two hours from any shop.
In October, the family received a Lifelight. This enabled the children to study, to see properly to cook their food and to safely walk at night to the toilet.
Helene wants to use the light to study and Jean says that he wants to make sure everyone is safe at night. They don’t have a mosquito net and he says bugs, ants and wasps bother them at night and now he can see them.
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Update from the Field
By Bhavna Malkani - Digital Fundraising and Marketing Manager, July 09, 2009 09:14 PM
Most of Africa is extremely poorly served with electricity. Much evidence exists stresses the link between poverty and the lack of access to clean, modern energy. The primary source of lighting in sub-Saharan Africa is from firewood, candles and kerosene lamps, which come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials from a tin can (see image attached) Thanks to your support, the children who have received Lifelights no longer have to use dangerous candles or breathe in harmful kerosene (which is equivalent to smoking one packet of cigarettes)
Children have their days extended. They are now able to study, cook and sew in an environment that does not have electricity.
Orphans are the truly remarkable ones; they are still at school and are doing everything to complete it, despite having to take care of younger siblings. The Lifelights ensure they no longer fight an uphill battle against enormous odds.
One Lifelight was given to Johnta, a young head of household and one of the first to receive a Lifeline radio in 2003. Johnta looks after 4 other siblings. Previously, Johnta used a tin can to light his home. He breathed toxic fumes and found it incredibly hard to complete his homework. Your donation ensures that Johnta can study after dark and also dangers, such as snakes and spiders.
Here are a few other responses from other children who received the Lifelight:
“I was scared before of snakes but with the Lifelight I am not scared any more, I am not scared of thieves.”
"People need to be able to see, sit and do things. In the dark, you are all just huddled together and all you can do is go to bed. It also makes you feel safe."
"I love that it enabled me to cook outside even in the evening because before I could not cook at night because we would end up eating cockroaches."
Children have their days extended. They are now able to study, cook and sew in an environment that does not have electricity.
Orphans are the truly remarkable ones; they are still at school and are doing everything to complete it, despite having to take care of younger siblings. The Lifelights ensure they no longer fight an uphill battle against enormous odds.
One Lifelight was given to Johnta, a young head of household and one of the first to receive a Lifeline radio in 2003. Johnta looks after 4 other siblings. Previously, Johnta used a tin can to light his home. He breathed toxic fumes and found it incredibly hard to complete his homework. Your donation ensures that Johnta can study after dark and also dangers, such as snakes and spiders.
Here are a few other responses from other children who received the Lifelight:
“I was scared before of snakes but with the Lifelight I am not scared any more, I am not scared of thieves.”
"People need to be able to see, sit and do things. In the dark, you are all just huddled together and all you can do is go to bed. It also makes you feel safe."
"I love that it enabled me to cook outside even in the evening because before I could not cook at night because we would end up eating cockroaches."
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Christmas Lifelight Distribution
By Bhavna Malkani - Digital Fundraising and Marketing Manager, April 09, 2009 11:13 AM
The Freeplay Foundation distributed Lifelights before Christmas and they are already made a positive impact in the lives of orphaned families. Children tell us how they feel safer and more secure at night, that they walk to the toilet and neighbors. Those who are using them to study all report improved school grades. Children no longer have to breathe toxic kerosene and worry about the kerosene and candles causing fires and respiratory problems.
We produced a short video which features some of the children who received a Lifelight as a direct result of your generous donations. Given the enormous success of the lights and the positive difference they are making to the daily lives of these children, we aim to dramatically expand our environmental outreach program – please help us make a difference. Provide a safer, cleaner future for these children.
We produced a short video which features some of the children who received a Lifelight as a direct result of your generous donations. Given the enormous success of the lights and the positive difference they are making to the daily lives of these children, we aim to dramatically expand our environmental outreach program – please help us make a difference. Provide a safer, cleaner future for these children.
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