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NEWS FROM RWANDA

After spending three years in the United States and graduating with a B.A. in Management from Assumption College, our dear Sr. Laetitia returned to Rwanda in June 2005. She has written us with an account of her life since her return to her native country and all the many things she and the Assumption Sisters in Rwanda are doing to help their people recover from the civil war and genocide of 1994.

Please read Sr. Laetitia’s letter below for a taste of how “life is coming back to life” in that country.

From Sr. Laetitia Byukusenge, RA

January 2006

Dear Friends,

Very Happy New Year!

It has been seven months since I left you in USA. Time goes fast and many things have happened since. I have tried to communicate, but some times I was fighting with time and things to do. Thank you so very much for you all who kept in touch and kept me in USA… a country I have loved and made so many friends. I miss it and all its memories.

I am sure you would love to know what my experiences are since last June. When I arrived in Rwanda, I found many changes in three years. My first impressions were mixed feelings. Rwanda is now 60% improved compared to how I had left it in 2002.

There is so much to thank God for: I personally thank him for the gift of friendship that you allowed me to develop when I was with you and that continues today. Shortly after my arrival home, we were blessed by a wonderful visit of 9 friends from Florida who had invited me last March to share with them the story of my country. During my visit, knowing that I was about to go back to Rwanda, they expressed their dream to come over and visit us in Rwanda. Such a dream came true within a very short time. August 3rd was their arrival in Kigali to stay for one week. They experienced much of our life, visited our communities and projects, met different figures both political and civil authorities. Their solidarity with us, their love and generosity were a significant support for us sisters and for the people.

On January 1st, 2006 arrived a group of students from Tufts University in Medford. They came because one of them, Nicolas, is a friend of Assumption sisters. He had been in Rwanda in 2003 from France his origin, now studying in Medford, interested his friends to come and do their research paper on Education in Rwanda. They had time to see Assumption and other schools for that purpose. Their experience for these last two weeks is great according to their sharing. We are also very grateful to them for having chosen to come to us.

On February 2nd we are expecting two sisters of St Joseph from Philadelphia. They wished to spend some of their sabbatical time with us and we are very happy to have them in our midst. Welcome Sister Cathy and your friend. They will be with us for 6 weeks. What a blessing to us!!! May God accomplish what he has begun in each one of us his creation.

I am in Kabuye community and I am working with other three sisters: Agnes Eugenie, Immaculata and Cesarie to welcome groups and individuals who come for spiritual thirst at Centre Marie Eugenie, a space that we are offering to join in the efforts of the whole country to work for peace, healing and reconciliation.

Allow me to acknowledge the way you got me started and got my sisters here in Rwanda continuing the work they have been doing for the last 51 years. The sisters, the people and I are grateful and proud of your moral and financial support. Your contributions/donations helped us to respond to the needs of the people whom we are serving. When I came I carried with me $5,000 to help in our different projects. This amount has been used in the following way:

• $ 1,000: served as scholarship for 7 students who would not be allowed to finish their academic year last November because they had not been able to pay. The school year begins in January to end in November. The 3rd trimester (August to November) is the time students who didn’t pay the full amount are sent home and are deprived of their final exam. Thanks to your concern and generosity these students can achieve their education. One of them was dismissed from school a year ago and now he is returning this January. He is very happy and his parents are very grateful.

• $3,000 : with this amount Assumption Training Center in Nyange was able to buy 2 machines for the carpentry. Assumption Training Center is a center that offers training in carpentry, sewing, agriculture and cattle raising. Nyange is situated in very poor area where young people are condemned to remain home after finishing their primary school. Choosing to offer this training to them is a way of helping them to improve their living conditions and allowing them to create a source of revenue for themselves and their families. With the money we were also able to repair some parts of the buildings that had fallen in ruin because of the tragedies of 1994.

• $1,000: has been used to equip Kabuye Reconciliation Center. We now have 100 chairs in the meeting room with a capacity of 100 people.

We are ever thankful to you for making this happen. We wouldn’t have the opportunity to continue the work we are committed to without your contribution. Thank you for your support that has extended since my time in USA.

And most important, we are grateful to God for deeds that bring continual joy to one’s life. May He help us see that each day is a blessing.

Wishing you the gift of keeping up the good work and friendship with the people of Rwanda and of around the world. May you be blessed and may God keep you well.

On behalf of the Assumption Sisters in Rwanda,

Sister Marie Laetitia Byukusenge, RA
Religieuses de l’Assomption
B.P 939 Kigali - Rwanda
(250)-5 7 11 82
(250) 08605647
E-mail: mlaetitiab@yahoo.com

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