Kwizera Ride 2009

I would like everyone to consider something seriously for a moment. Try to imagine having more than 50 children under your care, looking to you for food, clothing, love and support. Sounds pretty overwhelming, doesn’t it? Now imagine that same situation but with no consistent or dependable source of funding. This is a daily reality for Annonciata Bamuranga. She and her late husband, Ngondo, established an orphanage in Rwanda in 1995 after the 1994 genocide. Originally they received support through Ngondo’s connections with local churches, but after his death in 2005, the funding dried up. The effort and resources needed to maintain the orphanage has been so substantial for Annonciata that she has actually mortgaged her own home to continue the care these children need.

Many of you are aware that my closest and long-time friend, as well as his family are very involved in Rwanda, specifically, in the medical and educational communities. This friend of mine is currently living in Kigali, Rwanda (the capital city) for a year. He is working for the Ministry of Family and Gender for the Government of Rwanda. His father (a Professor at the University of Western Ontario) has been involved in the medical and educational communities in Rwanda for several years. He is the director of “Rebuilding Health in Rwanda” and travels to Rwanda often. In an effort to go on a bit of an adventure, as well as improve the world a little, my friend and his father have decided to go on a 4,000 kilometer motorcycle trek through Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania in August. They are taking pledges for their ride and every penny that is donated will be given to Annonciata to maintain the orphanage in Rwanda.

I know that it is easy to look past the hardship of those so far away, but it is people like Annonciata, Luke (my friend) and David (his father) that make the world a better place by choosing to take action. If everyone we know gave a small fraction of what these people give, the world would look very different than it does. As a man I very much respect once said, "We have an obligation as a global community to ensure everyone has access to excellent health care. It’s not something we should say you have or don’t have by accident of birth."

If you would like to donate (any amount is welcome), please see below for some information on how to do so. Please note as well that there is no deadline for donations. Any funds that are sent following the instructions below, regardless of the timing of Kwizera Ride 2009, will be given to the orphanage.

Also, if you don’t know much about Rwanda, I encourage you to read about the country, the people, the history and their vision for the future. It is an incredible place whose people have demonstrated an incredible resiliency through the deepest depths of grief and adversity.

Finally, if you're interested in the area that Luke and David will be covering during their adventure, have a look at this link. It may not be the exact route they will take, but it's pretty incredible!!

Thanks very much for reading, and feel free to leave comments to encourage Luke and David as they prepare for their adventure!

Ryan

Donations can be directed to:

Gateway Church *

890 Sarnia Road

London, Ontario, Canada

N6H 5K1

* Please make cheques payable to “Gateway Church” and indicate “Africa Orphanage” in the designation. Tax receipts are available.