Welcome!
WE’RE COMING BACK!
I guess it isn’t much of a surprise to anyone following us to hear we are going back to Rwanda. This is a big year (they always tend to be!). But seriously, this year is going to be very interesting. Some of the happenings are extremely exciting, positive, and new. Some of the happenings have to do with life, and the challenges that unfortunately arise. Of course, there is a fundraising component to all of this. The rest of this blog with serve as an update of sorts, along with sharing all of the happenings described above. However, just to put it out there, I will be leaving for Rwanda on 4/23 and will return 5/4. And yes, if all of this is long winded, we would be forever grateful for your support in any way possible. The donate link is on this website and always available. Thank you so much.
Amanda is teaching some of the kids to make bracelets
ROSTER
This year we have our most current and classic crew, a returnee from 2023, and a couple first timers. I’ll obviously be there. This will be my 16th trip to Rwanda. I’m so grateful to keep racking the numbers up! Since the pandemic, Amanda and Russell have been coming to Rwanda every year. I have written about it immensely in the previous blogs over the years. As much as it means to me, the kids are the real lucky ones. We all can’t be more grateful for their consistent love and support from near and far.
In 2023, we were so fortunate to have a handful of visitors that year. One of them was Seth, and I am so excited to have him back. No one knows how to teach a simple, silly, ridiculous game like Seth. Along with Seth, he will be bringing his son Will for his first trip. Will is a firefighter/paramedic for Portland, Maine. More than that though, he is an adventurous, kind, warm, and ridiculous individual (takes after his father). The children have no idea just how much fun they are going to have. Seth will also get the pleasure of surprising the kids by coming back to see them again. While this may not sound like a big deal, it means the world to the kids.
Last but surely not least, is Russell Osgood. In 2020, when I first started at Portsmouth FD, Seth and Osgood came up to me and told me they wanted to come to Rwanda one day. Seth was able to come sooner but Osgood always said the day was coming. He is now the chief of Ogunquit FD in Maine, and has figured out how to fit the kids into his busy schedule. Osgood rounds out a group that is sure to leave a lasting impression on the kids.
Akagera National Park
AKAGERA
Over the last few years, Osgood began to pick my brain on how to get the kids to Akagera National Park. Over the years, we have always tried to incorporate a trip or experience of some sort to teach the kids to wonder and believe in all that is out there in the world. Over the years, we have taken them to the national museum, a tea factory, Lake Gisenyi, and more. Akagera National Park is the premier home to many animals in the country. Many (including myself) have a hard time fathoming such a place in Rwanda exists. The majority of Rwanda is mountainous and while gorgeous, does not give the impression that it contains grasslands and savannahs that feature lions, rhinos, elephants, and more. Osgood speaks of being so inspired as a child by the exposure to such beauty.
Last year, Osgood was ready to fund a trip for the kids, even though he knew he couldn’t join them. Knowing that he still planned to come one day, I insisted he wait until he can enjoy the experience with them. 2026 is that year. On May 2nd, we will leave the home very early with all the kids and bus the few hours to the park. From there, everyone will be split up into groups and will take off on an all day adventure. Besides having the most unique experience of their lives, we hope to teach them about conservation, the endless knowledge that’s out there, the beauty of their country, and even some of the jobs that exist in relation. To say, we are excited, is likely the biggest understatement of the year.
MILES?
I am going to be completely honest and tell you that I am not sure what I am going to do for miles this year. Last year was not the best year for my knees. In fact, the last couple have been trying in that regard. Shortly after the marathon last year, I began to have issues specifically with my right knee and MCL. I decided to stop running for awhile and work on rehabbing it the best I could. The work has helped and I am in a better place. Sadly, I can’t say if it’s where it needs to be for a marathon. I have begun running again, and working up towards something respectable. The miles might need to be walked too. At this time, I can promise a half marathon at least. I can promise that the kids and us will surely go for a run in honor of the fundraiser. I hope folks will stay with us regardless, but I at least wanted people to know.
A near daily occurrence during our stay involves Tom finding Russell, who then spends hours tutoring.
DAY TO DAY
I would relatively expect our normal days to be business as usual. The kids will be in school so we will have the days generally to ourselves during the week. Akagera is going to be a big thing but I hope to squeeze in another soccer tournament, Igisoro, puzzles, dancing, English lessons, studying, meals together, and more. These seemingly simple things are sometimes what matter the most to us and dare I say, the kids too.
LIFE
In the last couple of years, I have mentioned here that Evode’s health has been challenging. Unfortunately, the challenges continue to grow. As i write this, Evode has just arrived home after a near month’s stay at the hospital. Bouts of Pneumonia, infection, kidney failure, and diabetes complications have been extremely difficulty to manage. Evode is currently beginning dialysis which has been helping a lot. There have been a lot of lifestyle changes over the years, and they will have to be increased now. I will have better updates when I am there. As for now, I plan to take in as much time as I can with Evode and the kids. And while, all of this is difficult, to put it lightly, we are a family, and will work our way through it one day at a time.
SUPPORT
So yes, support is needed. Each month we have to show up for the kids to keep our home a true home in the physical manner. This helps us continue the efforts of the heart as well of course. School fees will be due for 2026/27 in September. Emergencies and maintenance arise whenever they please of course. But if you are willing to continue helping us, I promise to return with more stories and updates to show you just how special and deserving these kids truly are. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will talk soon.
Shaun (Sully)
