HERE WE GO AGAIN
Chances are if you are reading this, it’s because you have helped us in the past and we love you so much for that. If this is your first time visiting, we love you too. I am going to add a bunch of information below that may or may not interest you. BUT let’s get into the fast details.
TRIP DATES - 6/19 through 6/30
MARATHON DAY - 6/24 Tentatively
FUNDRAISING NEEDED - $15,000
FUNDRAISING GOAL - School fees for the upcoming school year for 30 plus former street kids and vulnerable youth, along with monthly running costs support.
That’s what we do. What we need from you all is your continued support after all these years. Even more important, we need your belief in that these kids matter and deserve opportunity and love. So I am going to write a bunch for those who appreciate a deeper dive. In the meantime, you are able to donate directly on our website to our 501c3 and every bit goes to the kids.
15 YEARS
Technically I started going to Rwanda in 2008 but it was 2010 when I met Evode, Becky, and the kids of Ubaka U Rwanda. Over the years, we were able to sustain our care for the kids, moved a few times, bought our own land, and successfully built our own purpose built home for street children. So some things change and and somethings don’t. The day to day goal has never changed. Ubaka U Rwanda has made sure the children we take in are cared for and have every opportunity to rise above poverty, abuse, abandonment, addiction, and more. The home is run exactly as that : A Home. And we are a family. I can’t believe we’ve been able to keep going and we have you to thank for that.
RUNNING
Unfortunately, I’m not the smartest guy. I’ve learned a lot over the years but the truth is I am not the best fundraiser. Since 2011, I have raised money the only way I know how: More action, less words to convey how much the kids means to me. So I run. And a lot of people have joined over the years. These days, the kids join me. We’ve never raised a million dollars but we've gotten by and I will run for that any day. So this year, as in the past, I will run a marathon throughout the day. I like to save the last bit for the kids to join me when they get home from school. I am not sure the route I will take this year. I’ll get creative as it gets closer and share with you.
GUESTS
I’m not sure it’s fair to call Amanda and Russell guests anymore. This is will be their third consecutive time to Rwanda. They have officially secured themselves into the hearts of our kids that will last a lifetime. They have donated so much over the years that their contributions will go on far past. As I write this, I know Amanda is making up lessons to teach the kids and organizing books for reading. I know Russell is finishing up a new trophy that will go to the winning team in our annual Ubaka Soccer Tournament. And we have a first timer. Nate Wiggin will join us this year. Nate works with me and is a fantastic human being and friend. He reached out, and that’s about all you have to do if you want to see all of this first hand. Well, you also have to buy your ticket. That is the part that most people stop at. However, no shame in that. It isn’t cheap, and the charity only supports the kids, no one else. Anyway, I can’t wait to see the kids get the extra dose of happiness that comes from seeing familiar faces along with new faces, just for them.
BESIDES RUNNING
We keep our trips pretty open these days. The idea is to be as present as possible with the kids. However, there are somethings you can count on. You can count on us playing a lot of games, soccer, volleyball, and silliness. You can also expect to share a lot of meals together. You can expect them to get a lot of laughs at our expense as we fumble with their language. We will get plenty of opportunities to help them with their English. Reading to each other is an activity that is as enjoyable as it is educational. The home also has an outreach program for kids that are still in the street. They will come over during the week and get to eat a meal, wash, learn, play, and begin a bridge of mentorship that will hopefully lead to ways for them to work with family to get off the street. It can also help prepare them to live at our home if need be. Visitors help with this a lot. Any projects around the home, we will be jumping on as well. We also encourage everyone to take time to explore the country as well. Rwanda is absolutely gorgeous.
LIFE
More than ever, we find ourselves in a difficult situation. For those who do not know, Evode is the backbone and heart of Ubaka U Rwanda. There is no one who has been with the kids longer, who understands them better, who has sacrificed more for them. I can tell you, I have seen many other programs in Rwanda and beyond. I have never met a single person who has demonstrated such a consisitent and unconditional love.
Evode has had health complications over the years. At this point, he finds himself with his most difficult trial. Kidney failure and other complications are having more and more of an effect these days. None of us (humans) know how many days we have going forward. I don’t have any concrete information to share at this time. What I do know, Is that I will be taking in every moment I can.
NEWBIES
We don’t call new kids to the home “newbies” but I wrote that anyway. Just because health is an issue doesn’t mean Evode slows down his care for as many kids as possible. Over the years, we have had kids come full circle, grow, and move on to their own independent lives. This year I will see kids I have known for over a decade. This year, I will also get to meet kids for the first time. That is always special and makes things really fun to learn about new kids and see them started on their path.
FOR NOW
You may have noticed we have stopped using Gofundme for fundraising. We have had multiple issues over the years and Gofundme has made fundraising more complicated than it needed to be. We realized we were only using the platform because it was familiar for people. However, we have raised money through our account directly before and we can do it again.
The good news is if you are reading this, you have already found your way to our page. That means you are just a click away from our donation page. The challenge will be getting folks who don't know us as much to come here rather than a GoFundMe Link. We are grateful for you being here and for helping us. If you would be so kind to help anyone visit our page, it would mean even more.
THANK YOU
I’ve said it a thousand times and and I’ll be saying it for the rest of my days. Please reach out if you have any questions. Stay tuned for more. Whatever you are able to do, means the world and goes farther than you could imagine.
TURIKUMWE (We are Together)
Sully (Shaun) Ubakasully@gmail.com
