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Original art by Jen Lemen
for Let’s Help Ourselves and Others

It’s a rare day that I find a project so solid and so personal that I’m ready to champion it from the rooftop – but this is one of them! My soulsister Jen Lemen has fallen in love with every African immigrant in her D.C. neighborhood. They inspire her ever day, and she in turn extends a loving hand of assistance whenever she can. From springing someone from human trafficking to getting a sick daughter in Rwanda to the hospital, Jen and her network of passionate folks gets the job done.

Now Jen and Odette are on a mission to take Rwandan school girls the supplies and inspiration they need to be the next generation of leaders in their struggling, determined country. The inspiring Grace McLaren passed the opportunity to Jen to go to Rwanda; Jen asked her blogging pals for some financial support; and in 24 hours there were funds for the trip AND enough to print a book. What kind of book? A full color zine in two languages depicting the story of Odette and her brother Innocent’s clever microbusiness…in a Ugandan refugee camp…when they were 7 and 9 years old. (I cry every time I hear it.)

If this doesn’t convince Rwandan schoolgirls (and middle aged American ladies!) that small attempts can bring significant change, I don’t know what will.

Now that the books and supplies are taken care of, Jen is doing one last ask for a little more money. Innocent needs a cow. I know. It doesn’t sound like much, just one cow. But his niece (Odette’s daughter) is sick, and the meager little house flooded this year, and the cow, well, it will keep his family afloat in a highly tenuous situation.

Do you know what a cow costs in Rwanda? $600 – the equivalent of three trips to Costco or one really crappy dresser from IKEA. Now the Cotsco thing might keep you rolling in frozen lasagna, which I will admit, feels like a lifesaving act some nights in Americana. But a cow will produce enough income to keep this large extended family feed for as long as it lives.

Paul and I are down for $100. Let’s see if we can get her the rest of the way there, shall we?

Donate a buck or a billion at ChipIn.

Friends, thanks so much for reading this. Hold on to hope: all is not lost, Africa can thrive, Rwandan schoolkids can change their world, and one cow can make a difference.

In Kindness and Hope,

Rachelle Mee

For the whole Rwandan Project in orderly detail click here.

Catie displays her hope note for a soulmate in Rwanda.

There was no church for us today, at least not in a cathedral. Still, I’m pretty sure we were playing in heaven’s backyard when we joined up with HopeRevo. This afternoon Cate and I worshiped at the altar of hope–crayolas and markers our consecrated objects, water and paints our bread and wine.

The women of Rwanda have taught me more about grief, hope, and forgiveness than any sermon of hymn could convey, and I’m happy my daughters and I can join them in their knowledge, exchanging hope across the miles.

Here’s Catie’s hope note to a Rwandan girl her age. They haven’t met each other, but very soon this card will unite their hearts. You can play in the fields of hope too! Click here and join our church service already in progress. Here’s to Hope and all her siblings!

“mukobwa-wurwanda niwowe mbaraga zigihugu uwize aramenya, abakobwa babanya merica bwaragu shyigikiye.” Translation: Rwandanese girls; you are the power behind your country! Someone who learns is the one who knows best. American girls are supporting you!

My soulsister Odette, inspiring me to trust that mama-god will get hope where it needs to go. photo credit: jen lemen

Our Small is Beautiful soulsisters Jen, Odette, and Krystyn, are at it again! They are conspiring to get a suitcase full of hope to some beautiful young women in Rwanda.

When Jen called me saying, “I might be going to Africa in May.” my first thought was, “Of COURSE you are.” These things happen to and for Jen, because she’s dangerously compassionate; because this is her creed; and because she is always ready to say ‘yes’ to the universe. Well, now she’s off to Rwanda to extend a handful of love to the schoolgirls Odette loves, but can’t get to. And even better, she’s taking YOUR hope notes with her.

Got a few minutes to write a message of hope to the next generation of women in Rwanda? Hop over to Krystyn’s place and find out how. The little 3×5 bits of hope need to be postmarked by May, so don’t delay!

In other SIB news, I know the html links aren’t working, and I know the blogroll needs to be re-categorized and updated, and I know there are 90 emails in my inbox waiting to join the rota. I am practically a technophobe and I’m at the mercy of my hacker friends to get all the SIB ducks in a row. We’ll get there, slowly but surely. In the meantime, please remember Your Story Matters. Sing it from the rooftops and the world will be better for it! Thank you for bringing all your energy to our friendly revolution!

Yours in Tinyness,

Rachelle