Help Irakoze (age 16) Stay in School!
Donation protected
I met Irakoze Pacifique in 2014 while on a medical mission in Rwanda.
While in the Virunga Mountains, at Rwanda’s northern border with the Congo, it quickly became apparent that Kinyarwanda was the dominant language spoken by the locals. My French had served me well while working in Kigali, but it seemed to be a different situation up in the north.
At the time, Irakoze was twelve. He noticed me, a foreigner, struggling to communicate. He approached me, and in perfect English, offered his assistance.
Irakoze had taught himself to speak English by surfing the web and watching youtube on a computer at a local cafe. I was dumbfounded and impressed by how intelligent and resourceful this young man was.
Irakoze did not leave my side. He became my translator, guide and protector. Though merely a boy, Irakoze was impressively smart and exuded potential.
Over the past couple of years, Irakoze has continued to send me notes through Facebook. He often asks about my family, inquires about stories he read about online and has even requested videos of snow.
Unfortunately, early this year, he sent me a rather distressing message. He had to quit school. His family could no longer afford tuition. His father had succumbed to cancer and, at 16 years old, he was forced to help his mother support the family.
I insisted that he return to school! A boy of his intellect should not be denied an education. I truly believe that if given the chance, he could do remarkable things. Michelle and I decided we would help as much as possible. We have been able to provide enough support to get him back to school.
Irakoze has two more years of high school and is dreaming of the opportunity to get a university education. We will continue to help Irakoze and his family to the best of our abilities but more help is needed.
Please help Michelle and I give this remarkable young man an education so that the has the opportunity to succeed and better his life.
Thank you
UPDATE:
Thank you to all of the generous donations we have reached our initial target goal of 5000K.
To date I have been sending money to Irakoze via WesterUnion transfer. We are currently working on opening a bank-account whereby I can wire money directly to Irakoze to lower transfer fees.
Regardless, I will continue to send a monthly allowance that covers his tuition, supplies, essentials, food as well as rent and support for the family. Sending a monthly allowance based on a budget will ensure that the money is used for the intended purpose, and ensure it lasts for as long as possible.
Irakoze's goal is to continue his education past high school. The current funding guarantees his tuition for the remaining 2 years. The funds will also be used to cover expenses associated with higher education application. (ie standardized testing, application fees, student visa, bursary applications etc.)
I plan to continue raising funds for Irakoze to support his pursuit of education. He will likely requiring significantly more funds to cover his post secondary education depending on where he is accepted.
It is my goal to ensure that every dollar raised is used as responsibly as possible in the goal of helping this young pain pursue his educational goals.
Sincerely,
Mike Rubin
While in the Virunga Mountains, at Rwanda’s northern border with the Congo, it quickly became apparent that Kinyarwanda was the dominant language spoken by the locals. My French had served me well while working in Kigali, but it seemed to be a different situation up in the north.
At the time, Irakoze was twelve. He noticed me, a foreigner, struggling to communicate. He approached me, and in perfect English, offered his assistance.
Irakoze had taught himself to speak English by surfing the web and watching youtube on a computer at a local cafe. I was dumbfounded and impressed by how intelligent and resourceful this young man was.
Irakoze did not leave my side. He became my translator, guide and protector. Though merely a boy, Irakoze was impressively smart and exuded potential.
Over the past couple of years, Irakoze has continued to send me notes through Facebook. He often asks about my family, inquires about stories he read about online and has even requested videos of snow.
Unfortunately, early this year, he sent me a rather distressing message. He had to quit school. His family could no longer afford tuition. His father had succumbed to cancer and, at 16 years old, he was forced to help his mother support the family.
I insisted that he return to school! A boy of his intellect should not be denied an education. I truly believe that if given the chance, he could do remarkable things. Michelle and I decided we would help as much as possible. We have been able to provide enough support to get him back to school.
Irakoze has two more years of high school and is dreaming of the opportunity to get a university education. We will continue to help Irakoze and his family to the best of our abilities but more help is needed.
Please help Michelle and I give this remarkable young man an education so that the has the opportunity to succeed and better his life.
Thank you
UPDATE:
Thank you to all of the generous donations we have reached our initial target goal of 5000K.
To date I have been sending money to Irakoze via WesterUnion transfer. We are currently working on opening a bank-account whereby I can wire money directly to Irakoze to lower transfer fees.
Regardless, I will continue to send a monthly allowance that covers his tuition, supplies, essentials, food as well as rent and support for the family. Sending a monthly allowance based on a budget will ensure that the money is used for the intended purpose, and ensure it lasts for as long as possible.
Irakoze's goal is to continue his education past high school. The current funding guarantees his tuition for the remaining 2 years. The funds will also be used to cover expenses associated with higher education application. (ie standardized testing, application fees, student visa, bursary applications etc.)
I plan to continue raising funds for Irakoze to support his pursuit of education. He will likely requiring significantly more funds to cover his post secondary education depending on where he is accepted.
It is my goal to ensure that every dollar raised is used as responsibly as possible in the goal of helping this young pain pursue his educational goals.
Sincerely,
Mike Rubin
Organizer
Mike Rubin
Organizer
Ottawa, ON
