Ukrain Impact Trip

The journey of an impact trip will not always be smooth sailing but despite a few hiccups, like a cancelled flight and a quick change of plans to an overnighter on a train with dodgy toilets (which a team member positively described as "allowing the team to catch up on sleep, learn more about each other and bond as a group"), the team had an amazing time in Ukraine.

They visited various projects including the House of Life, where babies and infants have been abandoned at the hospital, an orphanage at Novograd Volunskyi, as well as a visit to the Ladyzhyn Disabled Orphanage. The following paragraph from one of the team members really says it all:

"I'm being rocked to sleep on the top bunk of a 4-berth cabin on the blue train from Kiev to Simpheropol in Crimea. Squeaking brakes, lights, a guard's shout are but momentary interruptions of this night. Dawn breaks as we roll southwards across marshes and salt lakes. Then the sea embraces us on a long causeway as we come to the Crimean peninsula. Memories of lessons on the Crimean War - horrific battles, wounded soldiers and the bravery of nurses like Florence Nightingale are revived. We are heading to a children's holiday camp on the same shores. These children have also known terror and fear and experienced dislocated lives. But the workers in the Father's House who run the camp, bring life and hope to these rescued children. Taken from the streets or dysfunctional families, they learn self-respect, self-confidence, love and freedom from abuse. Various programmes, including courses i! n Computers, English and Ethics assist them. They learn to live in a family again - the goal of the Father's House is to place them in nuclear families here or abroad. Talking to them and sharing activities create love ties between the kids and the team. Some impact!"

Rwanda Impact Trip

Once again a team from Riverview Children's Foundation headed to Rwanda (a mere 26 hours away) to impact and be impacted by the beautiful people of Rwanda. Our team of 11 reconnected with the wonderful AEE staff and students at the Champion Centre, Catchup Programs, the Kindergartens,Self Help Projects and Childheaded Households.

It was touching to see the journey they have all taken in the last year as well as admire the beautiful new gate and fence that now surrounds the Champion Centre.  The Champion Centre is being very ably led by Carrie Devescovi and she has great dreams for the hairdressing salon and the mechanic workshop, which is one of the projects funded by so many wonderful supporters of the Foundation.

This year was extra special in that we were blessed to visit not one but four schools throughout our visit. We were able to run two highschool outreaches to over 600 young people.! The young people of Rwanda are hungry for prayer and education- a humbling sight indeed.

We helped with the 'Cow and Goat Giving Ceremony' and participated in the CURE day activities-a celebration of Rwanda and its youth moving forward and working towards unity after the 1994 genocide and its effect on the the nation.  We were water porters, brickmakers, mudfillers, soccer coaches, art and craft creators, prayer warriors, workshop facilitators and much more. If you are thinking of being part of a team I have two words for you - DO IT.

(Other news from Rwanda)

In June 2011, the RCF held a James Taylor tribute concert-HOURGLASS, in order to raise funds for AEE’s Centre for Champions. Our goal was to set up workshops providing vocational training courses in beauty, hairdressing and barber training. Thanks to everyone who supported HOURGLASS so generously, we raised over $18,000! This has gone towards funding equipment, teachers’ salaries and the set-up of a salon and beauty/hairdressing starter kit for the graduates. As this picture shows, the project is well underway and we cannot thank you enough for the significant difference you've made in the lives of the Rwanda Champions!

YOUNG ADULTS: Cambodia Trip 2011

Cambodia is calling......if you would like to be part of the Young Adults Trip to Cambodia leaving 26 November 2011, we would love to hear from you.

Closing date for applications is 20 September 2011.

Get in quick to avoid missing out!

Thank you for helping rescue, protect and empower children's lives.