Click here to see all the photos and meet the recipients
A REPORT BY JUSTIN BISENGIMANA – KIGALI – 14th December 2012:
This project has been fully sponsored by World Dancers through Goats For Life. The 131 beneficiaries were those members of Never Again who did not have any mattress in their households and they have been selected during the general assessment which was done in October 2012. World Dancers are from America, Santa Barbara, and are committed to supporting vulnerable groups in Rwanda under Goats For Life’s support program.
After distributing mattresses, I visited some of the members who received them in order to learn about how they used to sleep without a mattress. This report includes photos and quotes of members who received mattresses:
The World Dance Mattresses
Unloading truck
Members going back home with mattresses. It was so attractive to see this wonderful line of people walking on the main road.
JUSTIN: I feel I have nothing to say on top of everything I heard from the beneficiaries of those mattresses and it is true that photos themselves can tell how much happy those people were and still are because of how much important a mattress is in their well-beings. When I remember how the situation was when those mattresses arrived at Never Again meeting place, I truly get the meaning of a mattress in their lives.Things changed when they saw those mattresses, most of them were blown away by emotions. And when I remember how many people crying with a lot of joy, I by no doubt say that World Dancers are doing what is beyond our imaginations as human beings.
Honestly those people would be able to collect money for mattresses before but they choose better to die of sleeping so poorly rather than dying of hunger.
Whatever money they got was to finance their basic needs mostly food and shelter but no bedding. The government of Rwanda has a program of eradicating bedding made of grass as it has been done of house made of grass but this bedding made of grass is still a big issue in this country as every citizen is not in a position of buying his own mattress.
Thank you donors for contributing to the solving of a big problem which is even one of the huge burdens of the government. We bless Goats For Life for making this happen otherwise things would not be the way they are and the hope is still huge as far as changing lives is concerned. This community used to suffer during the night more than in the day because the night is time to rest but for them they could not make it as much as possible due to sleeping on poor and uncomfortable materials. Together we will bring changes and healing to the World. Justin
“I have nothing to say today, my heart is so full. I feel I can even die today because you helped get everything I was looking for: I was concerned about the education of my grandchildren, you are already committed to sending them to schools, you gave us livestock. What else do I need from you? You really met me at any point of my needs, that is why I say, I can even die as long as I know my children have the base of their lives.” [She said she liked dancing and that is why she is loved by dancers too. She said she had to dance for them., so she was dancing.]
“A new baby and a new mattress almost the same time; What a great joy in my family!! I’ll name my baby in the honor of our sisters who donated these mattresses for us, this is what I can do to show them that their support is a life-giving support. My baby will tell more about your generosity and a big heart You have for Rwandans because what you are doing for us will be known from generation to generations.” Cecile
“Oh my God, I don’t know what to say and how to say it but I feel I have much to say because of this mattress; my heart is full of happiness, I would like to express my gratitude and thanks from the bottom of my heart to our sisters who provided those mattresses to us. You are making our dreams a reality and not just a reality but a living reality. You are our hope bringers and because of you we grow from beauty into beauty, from development into development, success into success and on top of this you give us a value which we have never been given by any other person.” Drocella
This lady took some time bowing down praying for World Dancers that God keeps enabling them in different ways
The second lady sitting was also crying with joy
She said she liked dancing and that is why she is loved by dancers too. She said she had to dance for them., so she was dancing.
Thank you to Justin for sending us and to Janet for posting these amazing photos and quotes to share the delivery day! I have looked at the whole link attached of Justin’s report and I am so moved to tears! I am amazed at the impact the mattresses are having and I feel so grateful to see this.
This is awesome, Jan and thank you so much for coming to Christmas at the Casa Esperanza.
There’s a word in Sanskrit: SEVA, which means selfless service. This is what we’re all about now. Our heartfelt experience last week, dancing for and with the people in retirement communities and the sub acute unit, and now these incredible responses from our Rwandan community confirms the focus and intention of World Dance. Leaves me humbled and grateful. Thank you, Janet, for being the inspiration behind it all.
Juanita
Thanks so much Justin for brightening our day with the smiles of joy. I have seen so many of your great photos, many people look familiar and I consider them friends. The miles (and kilometers) between our countries are evaporating. Thank you Janet, for the opportunity to share in this wonderful and loving endeavor.
I am overwhelmed again …that we are helping others feel valued and loved…They may not know, they do the same for us.
thank you, Justin, for this wonderful report. we are so blessed with their gratitude and joy,
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Rwanda,
I feel so blessed and fortunate to be able to play a small part in helping you. Your joy, gratitude, and bravery are an example for us all. I feel very humble in your presence. Thank you Justin and Janet for making this happen!
Love and Blessings,
Your sister Jatila