Six things about Zoe everyone should know:

1.  Zoe is a three year program.

2. ZOE social workers target orphan children and their siblings who are living in extreme poverty.  They live in the streets, are starving (usually only 3 meals per week) and have no support.  Many are beaten and many girls have been raped multiple times.  Most of the targeted orphans are less than 13 years of age.

3. ZOE provides a structured  based curriculum of emplowering orphans to become self-sufficient by owning their own businesses and successfully supporting their younger siblings.

4.  ZOE inspires orphans to be leaders in their communities.

5. ZOE encourages ZOE graduates to be mentoring community partners to young suffering orphans.

6.  For ZOE to produce graduates it cost $100 per child for 3 years.

I am witnessing things so far beyond my comprehension!  I made a commitment to myself today.  I will support ZOE by continuing to build my relationship with the ZOE programs currently in place.  My girls will have the opportunity to travel to Rwanda and/or neighboring countries where ZOE programs are in place to experience first hand what poverty, hope, and Spirit is all about.

On a lighter note, but still part of ZOE, we all shopped at a local tailoring and fabric shop owned by four ZOE graduates.  I had two shirts made. We also visited the Cultural Museum. We were entertained by African dancers from the university. The drummers ROCKED!!!

This afternoon were traveled down a long hilly secondary road to a small village. We were welcomed by 165 orphans. They opened their hearts with singing and dancing. We were are engaged and danced until we were gasping for air. The energy was the most incredible thing I have ever experienced! It’s important that I am clear. We were received by 165 ZOE orphans. This did not include the 200 or so kids not in the program. These other kids are most likely cared for by a parent, grandparent or relative. Whenever we drive off in the van my heart melts. Today I sat in the last row of the van and as we drove off I looked back through the window and saw 100’s of barefoot, partially clothed, smiling, cheering and yelling kids running after us. I didn’t know whether to cry, laugh or wave. I accomplished all three. There were at least 20 kids that chased our van through the dense dust wake for a mile, picking up enthusiastic little kids along the way. It’s hard to tell the difference between the little boys and the little girls. You have to look closely. The girls are usually wearing skirts, the boys wear loose fitting shorts that look like sewed together fabrics. All the kids have the same haircut. It’s really not until the girls hit puberty that you can tell their differences. So, looking through the rear glass of the van I smile, cry and wave. I tell myself, “Stay strong Hubie!”  I know with every smile, every hug I give and my mere presence in their lives yesterday, today and tomorrow that I am making a difference. ZOE ‘s success means No More Isolation for a million orphans in Rwanda. Today I remain ever grateful, humble and spiritually connected! I owe this blessing to the kids.