A true story of courage and love

In my time here, I've had the absolute pleasure of getting to know some of the most incredible kids I've ever met, and up to this point I don't feel like I've really shared those amazing personalities and stories with the blogosphere. I have honestly meant to, but really when I sit down to write I am never sure quite what to say. I'm left wordless. Many of their stories are very personal and cannot just be told without having earned their trust and gotten to know how their past has really shaped their future, their personality itself. The family I want to share with you today is one such case.

Abigail (6 yrs), Jeledi (10 yrs), Acheal (11 yrs), Jaelle (13 yrs) and Samuel (20 yrs) are possibly the most inspiring family I have ever met, and to me their story embodies love, courage, selflessness and determination.

They moved to Uganda in 2007 from Burundi due to the vicious conflict between the Tutsi and Hutu populations. Until now, I was not aware the conflict in Rwanda had even crossed borders, but it had and in a very ugly way. Their father was Hutu and mother Tutsi. Their father’s family came and killed their mother in front of them, and Jacques (we work with him at HOPE School) has said the same fate was in store for the kids, had they not fled. The father was in prison in Burundi when these 5 left, but could have since passed away there.

This unspeakable tragedy occurred when Abigail, the youngest, was just 2 years old. Samuel told me there were times when he wasn't sure if she could make it; after their mother's death, she shut down and would hardly speak. She'd constantly wet herself. Samuel has never talked about his emotions relating to this, nor has he said anything about his other three siblings; particularly about Jaelle and Acheal who were at such pivotal years developmentally.

Today, the kids, as I've said countless times before, are extremely intelligent and endlessly funny; Jaelle's a beautiful young girl and has incredible politeness, loyality and thoughtfulness about her. She loves to read and hopes to be a manager of a bank one day. Acheal's a great artist and he loves football, Barca is his team! He is such a leader amongst his peers, and with his thirst for knowledge, I absolutley know he will do incredible things in his life. Jeledi is following very much in his older brother's footsteps but still has quite a silly whackniess about him. He loves football, too, and already has a throng of ladies by his side. And Abigail, certainly the baby of this family, is hilariously cute and giggly. One minute she's just observing her surroundings, the next she's dancing, twirling and spinning out of control, singing to herself.

Last I want to share a bit about Samuel. When his mother has killed, he was just 16. At a time when he could be focusing on continuing school or even just being with his friends, he became the caretaker for his 4 younger siblings. He became a father and a mother all at once; having to provide and feed them, keep them together, love and protect them. He continues to study and learn English, which he can speak very well, and recently landed a new job at a nearby hotel. He's very generous and loves to surprise his brothers and sisters. Like yesterday, when I went over Acheal could barely contain his excitement to show me their latest surprise-new sheets! Jaelle's favorite where the purple flowers and she just couldn't believe I liked the yellow better!! I am truly, absouletly in awe of Samuel - what he has done for these kids, what he has sacrificed and also accomplished for them and himself, truly is the mark of a selfless, amazing person.

It's hard for me to even imagine such an atrocious tragedy as genocide, but to know someone I've come to love and care for, kids so innocent to witness unspeakable actions, it truly breaks my heart. But in spending time with this family, I feel love, hope, kindness and a truly unbreakable bond.


Abigail, the little fairy princess


Jeledi will always take a break for a snap


The one and only, Acheal


Jaelle deep in her book,
always learning as much as she can


Samuel, the most incredible big brother


I am so inspired by this family and feel very fortunate to have gotten to spend time with them. I am eternally grateful to these five for everything they have taught me and will continue to show me through their love and generosity long after I've left Uganda.

Samuel's utter selflessness, Acheal's smile, Jeledi's laugh,
Abigial's free spirit & Jaelle's caring touch will always be on my heart.