Donations via AffiniPay
Donate via PayPal:
TOOLS for HOPE MONTHLY REPORTS |
Above: The Twisungane Group
November 2024, Tools for Hope, Inc. Newsletter
DUFATANYE GROUP
Introduction
The Dufatanye group, a beacon of resilience, is making significant progress. Diane recently visited two women, Egidia and Gareth, who are members of this group. Both women requested to transition from pig farming to goat raising after facing numerous challenges with managing pigs. They explained that, as they age, the labor-intensive nature of pig farming—such as regular feeding, pen cleaning, health maintenance, and the need for ample space and shelter—has become increasingly difficult. These demands made it challenging for them to maintain profitability. Diane assured them that TFH’s mission is to improve their lives by supporting their choice to raise any livestock that benefits them.
Recognizing their challenges, the Dufatanye group focused on goat farming instead of continuing with pigs. This strategic shift has brought about a wave of positive change. Goats require less feed, are more resilient to diseases, and can thrive in the smaller spaces available on their farms. Since making this switch, both women have seen noticeable improvements. They sold the pigs they had and purchased goats, allowing them to raise healthy animals with fewer expenses and less effort. They are now benefiting from selling goats for meat and breeding purposes.
Egidia's successful transition from pig farming to goat farming is a testament to the Dufatanye group's impact. She sold her pig and invested in goats, now owning seven healthy animals.
Gareth, a shining example of adaptability and resourcefulness, also transitioned from pig farming to goat farming after encountering similar difficulties. She found goats easier to manage and required less maintenance. With the success of her goat farming, she decided to diversify her income further. After selling her pig, she bought one pregnant goat and now has three goats. Additionally, with a loan from TFH for the project's second phase, she rented a piece of land for $75 to grow beans and maize. She hopes to increase her harvest and generate additional income to support her family through this new venture. Her adaptability and wise use of resources have inspired others in the group, proving that even in difficult times, it’s possible to thrive through innovation and perseverance.
This month, the Dufatanye group made a responsible financial decision. They requested to postpone the loan payment to next month, as they have allocated their funds towards necessary agricultural preparations, including buying seeds and labor. This shows their commitment to their farming activities and their responsible financial planning.
Introduction
During her monthly visit with the Twisungane group, Diane met with Venuste, who is expected to undergo surgery for a prosthetic arm after receiving funds from TFH. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for your support. May God bless you abundantly.
In the accompanying picture, you can see Diane providing him with funds from TFH. After receiving the funds, Venuste was initially scheduled to get his prosthetic arm in October. However, during a recent consultation, the doctor identified complications with his arm due to prolonged bandaging, which led to skin irritation, rashes, itching, and skin breakdown. As a result, the doctor removed the bandage and allowed his skin to fully recover before proceeding with the corrective operation. His prosthesis fitting has now been rescheduled for this month.
In the above photos, you can see Claudine feeding her livestock. She has shown impressive progress this year by drawing from her family’s savings to invest further in livestock farming. After successfully raising a cow, which provided milk and manure for her crops, she recently expanded her efforts by purchasing ten egg-laying chickens. Each chicken cost her 3,500 RWF (about $3), and she is optimistic that this new endeavor will enhance her family’s income and nutrition. Claudine’s commitment to livestock farming is building a healthier and more prosperous future for her household. Diane continues encouraging others to improve their savings to raise livestock.
kitchen garden with beetroots and carrots
After the rains, they began growing vegetables, as shown in the kitchen garden, where beetroots and carrots flourish.
Thank you for your continued support of Rwandan subsistence farmers.
October 2024, Tools for Hope, Inc. Newsletter
Photo of Twisungane members
Introduction
During Diane’s monthly visit with the Twisungane group, she visited the family of Venuste, who has recently experienced a series of health-related and financial tragic events. They have four children. The family has been going through significant hardship when thieves attempt to cut his left arm. Although he survived the attack, his left arm was severely injured. The doctors have advised that he needs an artificial replacement arm (Prosthetic Arm). After getting an artificial replacement, he will be able to do his daily activities as naturally as possible after that surgery. He is confident he can still support and serve his family with the prosthetic.
Venuste is the vice president of the Twisungane group and a father of four. He works as a farmer to support his family. In July, he experienced a violent attack in his village during the night. Hearing a noise outside his house, he went to investigate and was brutally beaten by criminals on his left arm, causing him to lose consciousness. Fortunately, neighbors came to his rescue and took him to the hospital, where he received treatment for a severe arm injury.
Initially, the doctors bandaged his arm, but after some time, they had to decide whether amputation would be necessary. In September, after the wounds healed, the doctor recommended Venuste use a prosthetic arm to help him continue his work, as the injury affected his left arm, not his right. There is no specific deadline for getting the prosthesis—the doctor said it could be done whenever he has the funds available. He needs $300$ for the prosthesis.
In addition, here in Rwanda, the medical insurance that most people use does not cover the cost of prosthetics, which are quite expensive. The hospital was able to assist Venuste in treating and healing his wounds, but it cannot provide the prosthetic arm under the current insurance.
Apart from Venuste’s situation, his wife underwent successful surgery for an enlarged thyroid (goiter). Given these medical and financial challenges, Venuste has asked TFH for support. He is hopeful that, with a prosthetic arm, he will be able to continue providing for his family.
In addition to this, his wife has been struggling with a severe health condition. She was diagnosed with a goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland), which required a successful surgery that has significantly improved her health. Thankfully, the operation was successful, but the cost of medical care has further strained the family’s finances, leaving them in a difficult situation.
Photo taken during her time in the hospital
With both the husband's injury and the wife's health condition, the family’s financial situation has worsened. The medical expenses have depleted their savings, and they struggle to meet basic needs. The husband is unable to work due to his arm injury, and the wife is still in recovery from her goiter surgery. As a result, the family faces different difficulties, such as medical expenses, and the situation is becoming increasingly urgent.
Family's Request for Support
The family, deeply grateful for the support they have received in the past, and for the financial assistance donated to cover the husband’s surgery costs. They humbly ask for TFH's continued support in this difficult time.
Despite the challenges they face, the family remains hopeful for the future. They are preparing their kitchen gardens and eagerly await the rain to continue planting, believing the climate will change in the coming month, allowing for better-growing conditions.
They have begun preparing their kitchen gardens but are waiting for the rain to continue planting.
Please continue praying for them; the Ministry of Health confirmed a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak. So far, the updated news shows that there are 26 confirmed https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2024-DON537.
There is currently no available treatment or vaccine for MVD. This is why it is essential for people showing Marburg-like symptoms to seek care early for supportive therapy, which can improve patient survival. WHO assesses this outbreak's risk as very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level.
DUFATANYE GROUP
Photo of Dufatanye members
Introduction
The Dufatanye group is also doing great. This month, Diane started evaluating their goals for this year, which include improving their farming through raising other small livestock. Diane visited some of them, and they made good progress in their community in both pig farming and small livestock rearing (e.g., chickens, rabbits, and goats).
Her name is Athanasie. She made remarkable progress in both pig farming and small livestock rearing. After losing her spouse, she faced financial hardship while trying to support her family. With the TFH's introduction of the pig farming project, she saw an opportunity to transform his farming practices and improve her family's livelihood.
The pig manure significantly boosted the fertility of her banana plantation. This resulted in a larger and healthier banana yield, which improved her family's diet and provided additional income through banana sales.
Her two pigs multiplied, and she now has one mature pig, including eight piglets. This growth has given her the potential to sell some pigs at the local market, generating a steady income.
In this second phase of her pig farming project, she decided to diversify her livestock. She purchased 35 chickens for egg production. She sold one chicken for $2$, and now she expected to get more money. With eggs now available daily, her family's diet has improved, particularly benefiting her children, who are now consuming more protein-rich meals.
Her small-scale poultry farming has yielded several benefits.
We are grateful for the ongoing support from our donors and look forward to building on this success in the coming months.
Thank you for your continued support of Rwandan subsistence farmers.
September 2024, Tools for Hope, Inc. Newsletter
DUFATANYE GROUP
|
Photo of Dufatanye members and their children Introduction The recent children’s fellowship event, a unique and spiritually enriching experience, was a testament to the impact of Tools for Hope’s (TFH's) support on the Dufatanye group. The event brought together 60 children and their parents in a time of fellowship, focusing on strengthening their connection with God and each other through Bible reading, shared meals, and various activities. Activities Conducted:
All were happy
The children engaged in reading selected passages from the Bible. This session strengthened their faith and encouraged them to discuss and reflect on the teachings together. It was inspiring to see the children eager to understand the Word of God, with some even reading aloud to their peers.
Diane used the Zacchaeus story in Luke 19:1-10 in the bible study session with the main steps (Observation, interpretation, application), and by using this story, she explained to them about salvation.
   They read at an individual level. Diane created different bible study groups according to their age groups. They also read in groups.
   Impact and Feedback:
Way forward:
Conclusion: This month’s children’s fellowship was a resounding good, bringing families together in faith and fellowship. The combination of spiritual nourishment through Bible reading and the communal sharing of meals created a memorable experience that we hope will have a lasting impact on the children and their families. We look forward to the continued growth of this program and the blessings it brings to their community. TWISUNGANE Group Photo of Twisungane children’s members Photo of Twisungane children’s members Introduction This month’s Twisungane children’s fellowship was remarkable, providing a balanced mix of spiritual nourishment, family bonding, and fun. It was a joyful and spiritually enriching experience during the holiday season. The gifts of Bibles, combined with practical learning and shared experiences, have laid a strong foundation for continued spiritual growth among the children and their families. There were 26 children and 20 parents. Key Activities:
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, each child who knows how to read well received their own Bible. The excitement among the children was evident as they unwrapped their gifts, knowing that these Bibles would be theirs to keep and cherish. The parents expressed deep gratitude, recognizing the importance of this gift in nurturing their children’s spiritual growth. Introduction to the Bible: After receiving their Bibles, the children were guided through an introductory session on using and navigating them. This included understanding the Bible's structure, finding specific books and verses, and learning how to use the Bible as a daily tool for spiritual growth. Learning and Practicing Bible Reading: Interactive Bible Reading Session: The children participated in a firsthand Bible reading session in different groups according to their age group. During this time, they learned how to read, make observations, interpret, and make an application from the scriptures, with a focus on understanding the stories and applying the lessons to their daily lives. This activity was designed to be interactive, encouraging the children to ask questions, share their thoughts, and engage in discussion. Diane used the Zacchaeus story in Luke 19:1-10 to apply those steps.
Practice and Reflection: After the guided session, children were encouraged to practice reading the Bible independently. They were given passages from the story of Zacchaeus to read and reflect on, which they later shared with the group. This practice helped improve their reading skills and deepened their understanding of the Bible’s teachings and salvation.  
Sharing Food and Drinks with Parents: Family Bonding: The shared meal was a significant part of the fellowship, reinforcing the sense of community and togetherness. Parents appreciated spending quality time with their children in a positive, faith-centered environment.  
Recreational Activities: Games and Play: The children participated in various games and recreational activities to round out the day. These included indoor and outdoor games to promote teamwork, fun, and physical activity. The children's laughter and joy as they played were a testament to the success of the day’s events.  
Impact and Feedback: Spiritual Growth: The Bible reading sessions were particularly impactful, as many children showed a keen interest in continuing to read the Bible at home. Parents are committed to helping their children be more motivated to engage in daily scripture reading. Positive Reception of the Bibles: The gift of Bibles was met with overwhelming gratitude. Parents and children alike appreciate this valuable resource, which they believe will be crucial in their spiritual journey. Enhanced Family Relationships: The shared meals and games allowed families to connect on a deeper level. Several parents commented on how the fellowship permitted them to spend meaningful time with their children away from the usual distractions of daily life. Challenges: Need for Continued Practice: Although the children were enthusiastic about reading the Bible, continued practice at home is essential to reinforce their learning. We plan to provide parents with additional resources to help guide their children in regular Bible study. Next Steps: Follow-Up Sessions: We plan to organize follow-up sessions to ensure the children and their families regularly engage with their Bibles. These sessions will offer further guidance on incorporating Bible reading into their daily routines. Expanding Fellowship Activities: Based on the positive feedback, we aim to expand the range of activities in future fellowships, including more in-depth Bible studies, additional games, and even creative workshops that combine faith and arts. Strengthening Community Bonds: We will continue focusing on activities that unite families, encouraging stronger relationships and a more vibrant faith community. Conclusion: We are grateful for the ongoing support from our donors and look forward to building on this success in the coming months.
Thank you for your continued support of Rwandan subsistence farmers. Please send this newsletter along to anyone you feel may benefit from it. Donations via AffiniPay |
August 2024, Tools for Hope, Inc. Newsletter
TWISUNGANE Group