The seeds of hope bear fruit

Today was a fantastic beginning to our time with the Threads of Hope partner projects. First in the morning Fred and I went to the Kigali national genocide memorial for 2 hours and reads, heard and learned more about the history of Rwanda and the genocide.  I had been before, but this was Fred's first visit and a profound experience for him to have an emotional and intellectual understanding of the pain, anguish, recovery and forgiveness this nation and its incredible people have had.

We continued the afternoon with our wonderful partner Seed of Hope and had the priveldge to spend time with some women who have participated and graduated from the skills training programs for sewing and hairdressing.  They courageously shared their stories from despair, anguish and tourment to a glimmer of hope given by a group of peers, a community and ultimately a group of friends who together comforted one another, encouraged one another and learned skills together that would be a step in reshaping their lives.  Through the compassion and passion of the Seed of Hope association, these women and hundreds like them have recaptured their dignity, their hope for the future and experienced changed lives. As life continues to put stumbling blocks along their paths they are encouraged by each other, by the association and by the help that local and external groups, individuals and donations can bring.  They stand strong together. They stand strong with hope. They are new creations, they are new women, they are the new Rwanda.