I have never had anything beyond my family call to me as passionately as this country and its people.

This trip will be filled with many activities:

• Reviewing the progress of Kigali Parents Secondary School building that has continued with our great fundraiser in June which raised $50,000
• Connecting with the children we sponsor – especially those John and I support on a monthly basis and those whose sponsors had a chance to send gifts
• Finalizing the Christmas party for 207 children 
• Climbing to see the gorillas
• Visiting and laughing with beloved friends
• Attending the wedding of our country director (love is always grand!)
• Meeting with women leaders to explore their wisdom and their collective ability to significantly influence the future of their nation
• Investigating new opportunities for Itafari to make a difference through our programs
• Showing my Rwanda to my beloved friend Julie Sklare who is accompanying me for her first trip to Rwanda

Julie and I met at Purdue University in 1976. She has been part of some of the most significant moments of my life. She was my maid of honor in 1981. She was with me at the moment my mother died. She has watched my family grow and change and is loved by all. We have traveled together, laughed together, cried together and believed in the other’s greatness. She has supported my work with Itafari from the very beginning in 2005 and cheered me on. After attending our event on June 1 2012 she wanted to know more. To see what more we could do together. And as I sit next to her on this plane on the last leg of our journey I love my dear friend even more for her support of this work.

It is wonderful to think about introducing one of the most significant people in my life to the actual people and country I speak of incessantly! What a gift. I look forward to Julie’s reflections and thoughts about improving how we do what we do in Rwanda. To climbing the mountains of Rwanda and be face to face with gorillas. To the laughter and shared memories we’ll add to this treasure chest of memories we have already stored.

Join us on our journey. Donate – help us build our school – sponsor a child – donate for the annual Christmas party – buy a goat – give to our general needs. Write to me. Ask questions. And never doubt that you make a difference in the world.

Kora ibyiza buri munsi (do good every day). always,
Vicky