OA in Rwanda — again

Dear Friends and OA Supporters,

It’s always great to let you know of the exciting things going on with OA. Recently, OA’s work was featured on both CBC TV and Global TV, and CBC sports posted a feature article on their site:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/soccerday/features/feature1.html

However, the most exciting news we have is that we are launching Phase 1 of our Project Rwanda on July 14th! Originally, this project was planned for 2009, but after Duncan Penn and I completed a month-long needs assessment trip in April and saw the potential for what OA could achieve, we realized that we had to make something happen sooner.

Rwanda is a country still recovering and re-building from a horrendous genocide 14 years ago when almost 1 million people were killed in about 3 months. It is estimated that almost 65% of the current population of the country are 18 or under. And, according to UNICEF, there are over 600,000 orphans under the age of 14–almost impossible to comprehend.

While there we met with amazing Rwandans doing fantastic work with almost no support. Emmanuel and Leonce, for example, were orphaned by the Genocide in ‘94 and were left in charge of their respective families at the age of 14. In 2003, they met and together created the Rebero Orphan Center in Kigali. Today the Center is home for more than 88 girls and boys―an amazing accomplishment against incredible odds. Here is a link to a quick video from our April trip:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=S_zNhVB_LbA

Month-long Phase 1 of Project Rwanda will involve five key activities:

1. construct an eco-friendly and sustainable community soccer field;

2. host a week-long soccer camp for the 88 girls and boys of the Rebero Orphan Center in Kigali;

3. deliver shoes to the Rebero orphans from our friends at Tom’s Shoes who have agreed to provide them shoes for the rest of their lives;

4. provide resources and support to local community and school programs that will use soccer to teach ‘higher-level’ messages such as gender equality, HIV/AIDS awareness and reconciliation;
and

5. identify future sites and local organizations that will play a role in Phases 2 and 3.

Since our return in May, we have put every bit of our time, energy and creativity into making sure that the project’s first phase happens this summer. We have raised almost $21,000 of the budget but still need an additional $2,500 to ensure that we can make the greatest impact on the lives of the Rwandan children and their communities.

If this project resonates with you and you would like to support OA’s work in Rwanda, here are ways for you to do so:

1. We would appreciate any contribution you can make to help fund this project―even $25 will go a long way in creating opportunities for the Rwandan children.You will receive a tax receipt and 100% of your donation will be directed to the activities listed above.

If paying by credit card, go to www.projectrwanda.givemeaning.com and click “Donate now”.

Or mail a cheque to

Opportunitas Aequa,
1520 Westall Avenue,
Victoria, BC V8T 2G7.

2. We encourage you to tell as many people as you can about Project Rwanda. Perhaps they will want to lend their support, too. In the fall we will begin raising $50,000 for Phase 2 to take place in 2009, and $100,000 for Phase 3 in 2010. A daunting task―but we are determined! We can’t disappoint our new friends, the children in Rwanda.

3. We invite you to follow our work every step of the way at www.oaprojects.org where we will post blogs, photos and videos―and send us your feedback (positive or negative).

Thank you once again for your continuing to support OA in all the ways that you do. It is only through your support and that of others like you that we are able to collectively make such a difference in the lives of children who have experienced the ravages of war. The smiles that appear on their faces when a soccer ball is placed in their midst makes every effort on their behalf worthwhile!

With gratitude,

Gavin Hollett