"The List"

Hello loved ones,

Even before we arrived, people were asking us what they could send. We
wanted to make sure we got a clear idea of what both the people and
the programs would need to thrive. FVA runs the GBV program (our
program) which includes a school and income-generating activities for
women. FVA also works and places volunteers with EDD (street boys'
school/orphanage) and Gisimba (orphanage). We, personally, wanted to
do something more direct than sending money - but bear in mind, money
is always appreciated here, and it always goes to extremely good use.
FVA, for example, "sponsors" many students - pays all their school
fees, without which support they would have had to drop out. Three
kids here are still waiting for sponsors and will rely on the two of
us for the entirety of their education over the next 2 months - think
of the children!! FVA has been our home away from home and our family away from family since the moment we landed in Kigali - in all our dirt and sleep-deprived glory. They continuously amaze us with their grace and generosity.

We also completely understand if, like us, you want to see the
tangible results of your contribution. IF YOU DONATE, WE WILL
PERSONALLY MAKE SURE YOU GET A PICTURE AND A LETTER OR EMAIL DETAILING
EXACTLY WHERE YOUR CONTRIBUTION WENT.

And with that, we give you The List:

- Clothes for boys and girls from infancy to 18 yrs
- Clothes for men and women
- Shoes in all sizes, from children to adults (did your kids grow out
of crocs? those are VERY
useful here!!)
- English language workbooks (Rwanda changed its national language to
English recently and there is a big learning curve)
- Math workbooks, all levels (we'll copy the pages so they'll last forever!)
- General school supplies (paper, colored paper, pens, STICKERS,
markers, chalk etc)
- General office supplies (paper, pens, folders etc)
- Books in English - particularly simple picture books for teaching and learning
- Toys for infants, babies, toddlers and children
- DVDs for children - particularly DVDs they can learn from such as
Dora the Explorer or Bob
the Builder, but also fun ones like Disney movies. Gisimba has a TV
but the kids spend a lot of
time watching German dance competitions!

They can be mailed here:

Kaitlyn and Nicole
c/o Faith Victory Association
P.O Box 2800
Kigali, Rwanda

In terms of personal stories:

- Claudine has a 3 yr old daughter and is expecting a baby. She lives
in severe poverty and has trouble feeding her family from day to day.
She hasn't had time or money to prepare for the baby, and she needs
baby clothes, cloth diapers, spit up wipes, and clothes and shoes for
Sylvie, her 3 yr old.

- There are 3 children at FVA without sponsors relying on us for all
their schooling. They need picture books, English language workbooks,
and math workbooks.

- EDD has only one computer for over 100 kids - and they LOVE their
computer classes with Ian. They would love the old computer you've
been thinking of replacing!!!!!

- Gisimba runs three kindergarten classes now that the older kids are
headed back to school, and they need colored paper, crayons, glue,
stickers for rewards, books, computer paper, pens, pencils...

There's plenty of need, and anything you send will be appreciated. The
women love beautiful things and take very good care of what little
they have. Luxuries like soap and body lotion are very expensive here
and they absolutely cherish them. The kids here have literally no toys
and we have seen them occupy themselves by playing with things like
electrical outlets and wire hangars - true story. Anything you send
will light up someone's world - and not in the way that a wire in an
electrical outlet will!

All our love,
Kaitlyn and Nicole
Stipps and Soli
The Manolos