Rwanda 2024
$1,250
Raised
4
Donations
$15,000
Goal
After I made my initial trip to Rwanda by myself people would often ask me, “Weren’t you afraid?” I answered honestly, “No.” If the same people were to question me if I was afraid to ask my loved ones for money, my answer is “I am horrified”. However, my desire to serve those in crisis supersedes this uncomfortable communication.
I will return to Rwanda in late August 2024 with my colleagues Dr. Beverly Prestwood- Taylor and Dr. Patricia Gildea. The title of our project is “Trauma Informed Care & Arts-based Practices to Promote Reconciliation & Restoration Among Genocide Survivors, Prisoners and Educational Leadership”.
We are building on the work we have accomplished with the Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) in Gikongoro, Rwanda in 2021 and 2022. In addition to collaborating with the JPC, pastoral care leadership and prison ministry teams, we will extend workshops to k-12 educators so they can feel confident implementing trauma informed care practices along with arts-based approaches in their classrooms. There are three pillars in the curriculum. (1) Understanding personal experiences through spirituality and emotion. (2) The impact of trauma on the mind, body and spirit (3) Pathways to healing through art, writing and dialogue.
My intention is to raise $15,000.00 by August 15. This fundraising initiative covers art supplies for 32 schools, instructional materials for participants, community meals, transportation for participants and translator services.
I would be very grateful if you could support me financially. Most importantly,
I need your prayer support. Please pray that our loving God continues to shine His favor upon this project. Please pray that my strength can be sustained as I hold space for those who have lived through the horrors of genocide. Please pray that our work will bring forth hope, healing, and restoration among the people of Rwanda.
Thank you kindly for your consideration,
Sarah