While in Rwanda, I met Bella at Gisimba Orphanage. Bella, who lost her parents, is 15 years old and was living in Burundi as a refugee. She has no family so travelled across the border back into Rwanda, and was found by police who took her to Gisimba Orphanage.
Her birthday is April 13th and she likes to play football (soccer), dance, and she likes tea. Bella is very affectionate and when she grows up she wants to be a doctor.
Why am I telling you about Bella? Because, like so many children in Africa and other developing nations, she is not going to school and without an education there's not much hope, let alone a future, for kids like her.
I am raising the money to send her to a good English speaking school so she can fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor (tuition includes: her education, supplies, room & board, and clothes). My hope for her is that she does become a doctor and then 'pays it forward' to another child in need when she can afford it.
When I met Bella, I knew she was a survivor - she lost her entire family and her caregiver, she travelled across (dangerous) borders, and she is now in a place that can take care of her to the best of their ability. She told me, in French, that she likes the orphanage because she has a family again. She is happy.
Bella deserves an eduction and she deserves to be a doctor.
p.s. If you have questions about this initiative, please contact me at artforafricainfo (at) ymail.com. This initiative is separate from the $10,000 fundraising commitment to GRDP.
Watch the video of our meeting at the orphanage
