LEAF Mizero Street Kids of Rwanda Update Spring 2009

See the LEAF Mizero Kids sing at LEAF International Banquet in their honor

The “LEAF Mizero Street Kids" are on a new beginning after a LEAF International team spent several days in Kigali with the kids and mentors. David and Jackson, the leaders of the street kids “brothers”, walked for miles in the rain to greet us at the airport with a missive, “You are the only hope for us as we have no one to care about our suffering… many thanks for keeping us in your heart while we were totally abandoned!”

Reflecting back to 2006, LI team went to Rwanda to set up our 1st music program to “empower youth through their cultural music traditions”. Our mission was clear; however, we believed we were going to work with orphans in a center where their basic needs were met. This was not the case - these youth live on the streets as a band of brothers and struggle daily for their basic needs. While LI does not provide basic needs, we advocate for housing and job training for these kids. LI also provides HEALTH CARDS so the kids get HEALTH INSURANCE. Music cannot solve their challenges; however, the kids, mentors and LEAF believe that their LI music training and performing helps to heal, inspire, instills confidence and pride, give positive direction, and creates ways to earn funds. The LI program has brought positive mentoring adults, especially Celestine & Leonard, into these street kids' lives.

The drum is a symbol of strength and community. The kids and the drum mentor Leonard work together 3 sessions weekly and have big goals. "Their Dream Is To Become The Best And be an Example For The Many Street Children in Their Community. They are Performing And Learning Their Own Music From The Rwandan Experienced Drum Music And Mentor Leonard. Not does this Amazing Mentor Teach The Kids, But I Admire His Love, Courage, Hope And Skills He Instills To the Boys and he makes them Feel They Are Special!"
Peace, Celestin KAYITANA - LEAF International Volunteer Coordinator (who is amazing!)

LEAF International hosted Mizero Children of Rwanda for the third magical time in mid-January, and presented them to a variety of audiences for cultural enrichment in our community: Owen Middle School, Hall Fletcher School, Asheville Middle School, MLK Breakfast, and a finale' concert to a sold out crowd at White Horse Black Mountain. The Mizero children are spectacular performers, and despite the horrors they have survived they exuded happiness and hope. Through the events, LEAF International was able to raise funds to continue our Music Mentoring Program for street kids in Kigali and for Mizero Children of Rwanda. 100% of the proceeds have gone directly to help improve these Rwandan kids lives.

See Photos, articles and blogs on Mizero Children of Rwanda presented by LEAF International:
Reggie Tidwell's White Horse Photos
Photos at Hall Fletcher School
Citizen Times Article
Reggies Blog
LEAF Photographer Reggie Tidwell: "I had the pleasure of photographing these magical children at LEAF. The experience for everyone- the Rwandans and the LEAFers was powerful and for many life changing. There is no finer example of perseverance. They are beautiful, joyful, humble and very talented. Watching them dance and sing was a real joy."




These amazing and talented orphans were an excellent fine art inspiration. Reggie produced a limited series of black&white images on 13x19" archival matte paper. Each print is $100 and $50 of cost will be donated to LEAF International Rwanda. Please join me in this worthy cause.

To purchase a print go here.

To make a direct donation to LEAF go here.

Rwanda Mentorship Program

LEAF Team in Rwanda Works Towards “Empowerment of Orphaned Youth through Music, Instruments & Mentors”

A LEAF team of 4 joined Rwandan performer Jean Paul to work towards empowering and helping to create healthy futures for two group of teen orphans: Mizero Crew and Nyanza Cultural Troupe. These youth, ages 14-18, lost their families during the 1994 Genocide. In the beautiful small country of Rwanda there are 1 million orphans. Orphans will play a vital role in determining the future of the country. As the MIZERO Crew sings in a song they wrote with Jean Paul, “We are the future of humanity, we are the world in our community”.
 
The LEAF Rwanda project, had a dynamic agenda to quickly make an impact on these youths lives. Drums, guitars, costumes, and MENTORING MUSIC TEACHERS are not part of these INPSIRING and IMPRESSIVE KIDS lives! Within 2 months, they have already performed for tourists groups and their “exceptional presentations” are creating possibilities. Music is such a powerful tool for self-esteem and emotional healing.

The MIZERO CREW of Kigali

The MIZERO “HOPE” Crew is a group of 25 street orphans (MIZERO = “hope” in Kinya-rwanda). They’ve raised themselves from the ages of 2-4 years old on the streets of Kigali. They are survivors and a “BAND OF BROTHERS” led by “Chief” David“. They have experienced the worst of humanity; however, they are AMAZING beings. They are respectful, kind, punctual, clean, talented, bi-lingual, literate, basically physically healthy, comfortable with hugs and expressing emotions, and they have “MIZERO”. They have hope for a positive future IF they have support for learning and most importantly housing.
Our “work” with The Mizero Crew
  • Matching the kids with guitars and many Rwandan Drums & Sticks.
  • Drum & Song Teacher, Leonard, has been hired to  mentor twice a week.
  • Secured a safe place at local community center for instruments to live and for their workshops and performances.
  • National Health Cards purchased for ALL the Mizero Crew for 1 year.
  • Presentations & speeches by kids. Their talent was outstanding and  surprising.
Note: LEAF projects are designed for orphanages/schools/youth that have their basic needs met. We were SHOCKED to see how the kids were living. The kids have captured our hearts and we are committed to continuing to work with them.

The Country of Rwanda

After the genocide in 1994 many children were left without families. Struggling to rebuild the country and support the many orphaned children Jean Paul Samputu, whose family was also murdered has taken on the challenge to educate and bring a greater awareness to the world about the atrocities that took place. LEAF International has joined with Jean Paul Samputu in order to raise instruments and funds for one of the many orphanages in Kigali, Rwanda where Jean Paul Samputu himself supports 20 children.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

TAKE ACTION!
WAYS YOU CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE
DONATE!
VOLUNTEER!
TRAVEL TO RWANDA!
Keep TAKING ACTION!

Future Hopes for Mizero:

  • Raise funds to continue the MUSIC MENTORING program that within a month has had huge success and impact.
  • To secure housing and education for the Mizero Crew.
  • To help arrange regular performances for the Mizero Crew at local restaurants and hotels which would provide regular sources of food, tips, and future jobs.
  • Encouragement & Support
  • Find and fund a guitar teacher. Future Action for Nyanza:
  • Bring the Nyanza Cultural Troupe on a tour in America that would serve as a Rwanda Cultural Ambassador and as a fundraiser for all the Rwandan orphans.
  • Francoise has requested funding for English tutoring lessons.

Help Create a positive future for these Rwandan Youth.

Send donations to:
LEAF att: Rwanda
377 Lake Eden Rd
Black Mtn, NC 28711

All donations are tax-deductible and will make such a 100% significant difference now! Interested in Starting a project anywhere to connect kids with instruments & mentors?
Contact us at info@theLEAF.com or 828/68-MUSIC.

The Nyanza Cultural Troupe

The Nyanza Cultural Troupe, a group of TALENTED orphans, invited up to the rural highlands for a cultural dance and drum presentation. These orphans have ³home family² matches, live in a supportive rural community, and have one teacher/mentor who works with them several times a week. Upon arrival to the dilapidated genocide appeal court, we were all a bit skeptical. To our surprise, 20-30 youth led by Francoise Uwimbabazi, put on a ³world class presentation². The troupe is the perfect ³Cultural Ambassador² for Rwanda and The Rwandese Orphans. Francoise later revealed that they had rented all the costumes and drums to create this day for us, and her biggest challenge is her solo effort and lack of supplies and funds. LEAF worked with Nyanza in these ways:

  • Matching the troupe with Rwandan Drums & Sticks.
  • Donating fund to purchase costumes.
  • With instruments and costumes they will be able to do local weddings and > more performances.

More Information

LEAF Rwanda Photo Gallery

Oct 07 Press Release

Full Rwanda Report (pdf format)

PRESS:
Black Mountain News and also printed in Asheville Citizen Times LEAF brings musical healing efforts to Rwanda
by Andy Grabel, Staff writer published January 17, 2007

Sylva Herald article

Recommended Books & Films if you want to learn more:

  • We Wish To Inform You Your Families will be Killed Tomorrow
  • We Survived
  • Sundays By the Pool in Kigali
  • Lonely Planet East Africa
  • Hotel Rwanda

Travel tips to Rwanda
Rwanda does not have an abundance of tourist infrastructure; however, your travels to Rwanda and your money spent in this country makes a positive difference.

Budget Hotel in Kigali: Hotel Okapi
Nice Hotel in Kigali & Great Restaurant: Hotel Milles-Collines  (featured as the Hotel Rwanda)
5 Start Hotel in Kigali: Hotel Intercontinental


Sponsors & Donors

Program Sponsors
In Kind Donations
Contributors
  • Hedy Fischer
  • Emily Redfield
  • Randy Siegal
  • Dini Pickering
  • Carol & Mark Antman
  • Terese & Tom Shelton
  • Dr. Jeffery Efird
  • Jan Clausen
  • Betty Williams
  • Virgina Hipp-Betty Williams
  • Joseph & Mary Cunningham
  • Joe Kaplan
  • Claude Worrell
  • David LaMotte, Rose Cowles, Chuck Brodsky & Musicians Workshop: Guitar Cases
  • Courtney Frohne : Atlanta Airport Parking
  • Adrienne Bell & LEAF: Guitars
  • Travis Stevenson & LEAF 2 GO: knap Sacks, Flipflops, Stickers, etc..
  • Ellen Nightingale: Swiss Army Kits
    Acoutic Corner & Aaron: Guitar Straps, pics & supplies
  • Dr. Jeffrey Efird: Toothbrushes
  • Iris Photographics: Nikon Backpacks
  • Mike Compton,
  • Rick & Wanda Wingate,
  • Richard Hudson,
  • Jon & Lauri Brooks,
  • Denise Eadus,
  • Sarah Morris,
  • The Watershed,
  • Wendy Motz-Schumacher,
  • Shavonne Dempsey,
  • Gary Graham,
  • Susan Briggs,
  • Randall & Cathy Chet,
  • Terese Shelton,
  • Dabney King,
  • Black Mountain Free Care