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RISING ABOVE the STORMS Essentials

We still cannot believe our inaugural Rwanda Immersion Trip has come and gone. ❤️🇷🇼 For this first journey, 10 of our donors and supporters from across the United States, led by our founder @alphonsine_ras, came together in Rwanda to experience the heart of @risingabovethestorms firsthand—to learn, serve, connect with our students and staff, and better understand the communities behind the work they have helped make possible. Over the next few posts, we’ll take you back through this unforgettable week, beginning with Day 1. We started at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi are laid to rest. It was a solemn and essential beginning—time to learn, reflect, and honor the lives of our loved ones who were taken simply because they were Tutsi. From remembrance, the day opened into Rwanda’s culture, creativity, energy, and beauty. We enjoyed lunch with live music, visited Irebe Arts Center to watch a weaving demonstration and support local artisans, experienced the lively Kimironko Market, and ended the afternoon watching the sunset at Nyandungu Eco Park before gathering for dinner. Day 1 gave our guests important context. To understand the work of RAS and the young people we serve, it matters to understand both the history that shaped Rwanda and the resilience, beauty, and hope that define the country today. And that was only the beginning. ❤️ #RiseAbove #RisingAbovetheStorms #Rwanda #Kwibuka32 #VisitRwanda #Community #Impact

4 days before our first RAS immersion group arrives, final preparations are in motion. Our founder, @alphonsine_ras has arrived in Rwanda ahead of the group and is working with our Rwanda team to prepare student activities, coordinate supplies, review logistics, and get ready to welcome our visitors. Thanks to generous donors, the laptops and community service project have been funded. Additional gifts will help us purchase and provide more of what students and families need while we are there, including school supplies, groceries, program materials, and items identified by our Rwanda team. We are grateful for everyone helping make this visit meaningful for our students, staff, and community. There is still time to support the campaign: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/rising-above-the-storms/ras-immersion-trip-to-rwanda-2026 More to come as our guests arrive #RiseAbove #StudentSupport #WholeChildSupport #EducationAccess

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬—𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐲. ❤️🇷🇼 Nearly 40 RAS students, from fourth grade through university, joined us at the Center for a day intentionally built around connection. 🎨 Through icebreakers, LEGO, origami, puzzles, games, and conversation, our students and guests quickly connected. Christy designed and led the activities, while Idrissa—our first college graduate and one of our earliest students—stepped in to translate and support others. #Teamwork 🙌🏾 📸 By the end, no one seemed ready to leave. Students and guests lingered for photos, laughter, and more conversation. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥. ☕ We capped the day with our first 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚, joined by @cisco employees around the world and special guest Fran Katsoudas, @Cisco’s Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer. Fran shared powerful lessons on resilience, leadership, knowing your values, taking ownership of your future, and using success to create opportunities for others. Our students also had the opportunity to ask her questions directly. ⚡ Even a brief power outage couldn’t stop the momentum—we adapted and kept going. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. ❤️🇷🇼 #RiseAbove #RisingAbovetheStorms #Rwanda #Education #Cisco #Community

Students need support that reaches beyond the classroom. At RAS, education support includes more than school fees, uniforms, and supplies. It also includes trusted adults, counseling, creative expression, life-skills activities, sports, and spaces where students can build confidence, discipline, teamwork, and resilience. These are the supports that help students stay steady, connected, and ready to keep learning. Because helping a child remain in school also means supporting the whole child. #RiseAbove #WholeChildSupport #StudentSupport #EducationAccess #YouthDevelopment

❤️🇷🇼 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐀𝐒 𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞. 🌿 We closed our journey at Ishobe, a cultural farm outside Kigali where 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝. 🌾 Our group experienced how earlier generations prepared food and worked the land—grinding sorghum by hand, preparing cassava flour with a traditional mortar and pestle, learning how bananas were ripened and made into juice, and watching traditional cow milking. We even helped cut a bunch of bananas that later became part of our lunch. ♻️ We loved seeing how everything on the farm connects—cattle, crops, food, and natural fertilizer all supporting one another. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐢𝐭. 🥁 Young Intore (traditional Rwandan dancers) and drummers brought incredible energy before we gathered for a traditional lunch of plantains, beans, cassava, potatoes, cassava leaves, fresh banana juice, and banana beer for those who wanted to try it. 🤝 It was a beautiful way to close a week that took us through Rwanda’s history and culture, into the homes of our students, alongside our staff, and into relationships none of us could have fully anticipated. ✈️ Then came the bittersweet goodbyes. Some members of our group headed to the airport while others continued exploring Rwanda. 🙏🏾 To our inaugural group: thank you for traveling thousands of miles, giving your time and resources, opening yourselves to our students, families, staff, culture, and stories—and for trusting this vision.❤️ 🇷🇼 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐀𝐒 𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬. And we have a feeling this is only the beginning. ✨ #RiseAbove #RwandaImmersion #Culture #VisitRwanda

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟒 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧—and our final day with the students—gave us so many reasons to celebrate. ❤️🇷🇼 ⚽ We started on the soccer field with our team from the RAS street-connected program. They won 6–4, and our group cheered with pride, but what impressed us most was their discipline, teamwork, and respect. For some of these young people, that represents tremendous growth. When an opposing player had a minor injury, one of our boys immediately went over and embraced him. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞. 🙌🏾 💃 Back at the Center, our students shared an incredible dance performance before we moved into a storytelling session. Students and guests exchanged stories of successes, failures, lessons learned, and perseverance. The questions, laughter, and openness made the room come alive. ✍🏾 To keep our students practicing, we launched a storytelling contest, with awards for the top five stories. We want them to become confident in telling their own stories—in their own voices. ❤️ And then came the goodbyes. We talked, hugged, took endless photos, and lingered far longer than planned. There were tears on both sides. In just three days together, our students and guests formed connections far deeper than we could have imagined. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭. What an extraordinary three days with our students. We are deeply grateful to everyone who made them possible. 🇷🇼❤️ #RiseAbove #RisingAbovetheStorms #Rwanda #Education #YouthDevelopment #Storytelling #Teamwork #Community

❤️🇷🇼 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐭. At @risingabovethestorms, we can count school fees paid, meals served, students enrolled, laptops provided, and young people progressing through school. 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒚. 😊 Laughter with friends. ⚽ Teamwork and discipline on the soccer field. 💃🏾 The confidence to perform. 🎨 The freedom to create, play, and discover. 🤝 Friendships, connection, and a sense of belonging. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐭𝐨𝐨. Our Center is more than a place where needs are met. It is a place where students learn, build confidence, discover their abilities, form friendships—and have space to simply enjoy being young. 💛 Because growth is not only reflected in a grade or an exam result. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐨𝐲. ❤️ And we believe our students deserve space for all of it. #RiseAbove #Education #YouthDevelopment #StudentSuccess #Community

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟑 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫—and deeper into the lives, resilience, and dreams of our students. ❤️🇷🇼 🏡 We began by visiting three families in their homes. We listened, learned, delivered food, and saw firsthand why the support surrounding each student matters. One message came through repeatedly: our Rwanda staff have become trusted listeners, mentors, and an extension of these families. 🎨 Our guests also rolled up their sleeves to help paint the home of siblings in our program whom RAS continues to support with groceries and other needs. 💼 The afternoon shifted toward the future. Our Grade 10 through university students joined our guests for candid career conversations about education, mentors, interviewing, responsible AI, showcasing their skills, knowing their values, persevering through discouragement, and refusing to be defined by their circumstances. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐲—𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠. ❤️ We are deeply grateful to our guests for showing up with their time, experience, compassion, and willingness to listen. #RiseAbove #RisingAbovetheStorms #Rwanda #Education #Mentorship #Community #StudentSuccess

One evening of generosity. A lasting impact on students’ lives. 💙 To everyone who joined us at Topgolf RTP, thank you for showing up for the students of Rising Above the Storms (RAS)! ⛳ What started as an evening of golf, laughter, and connection will make a difference far beyond the event. Your support helps students in Rwanda: 📚 Stay in school 🍎 Access nutritious meals 💙 Receive counseling and emotional support 🌱 Develop essential life skills 🤝 Receive basic needs and support The event lasted one evening. The impact continues every day. To everyone who attended, donated, volunteered, or helped spread the word—thank you for being part of what makes this work possible! 🙏🏾 💙 Stay connected and see the impact you're helping create: https://risingabovethestorms.org/#subscribe #RiseAbove #EducationChangesLives #Rwanda #CommunityImpact

The school year has started. Some students still need sponsors. RAS is now supporting over 200 students in Rwanda, including 60 newly welcomed students this school year. Monthly sponsorship helps make student support more predictable—not just for the first week of school, but for the months ahead. Grade School Sponsorship: $55/month College Sponsorship: $100/month Your recurring gift helps RAS continue providing the support students need to remain in school and keep moving forward. Sponsor a student or start a monthly gift: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/rising-above-the-storms/ras-future-leaders-circle #RiseAbove #StudentSponsorship #EducationAccess #StudentSupport

🇷🇼 What a journey. What a welcome. What a reminder of why we do this work. ❤️ This year’s Rising Above the Storms Immersion Trip to Rwanda has come to an end, and we’re returning home with full hearts and so many unforgettable memories. We spent time with our students, staff, and community - learning together, sharing experiences, celebrating, and seeing firsthand the impact of the programs and resources our supporters help make possible. From delivering much-needed supplies and learning tools to connecting face-to-face with the people at the heart of RAS, every moment made this trip incredibly special. To everyone who donated, supported, encouraged, and helped bring this experience to life: Thank you. You were part of this journey, too. These photos capture just a few of the moments we’ll carry with us. 🇷🇼❤️ #RiseAbove #RASInRwanda #Rwanda #CommunityImpact #StudentSupport #Education #MakingADifference

Some of the most important student support happens in ordinary moments. At the RAS Center, students learn, play, practice responsibility, build friendships, and spend time with trusted adults who know them. A meal. A conversation. A group activity. A shared responsibility. A safe place to return to. These moments may not always look dramatic, but they help students stay connected, steady, and supported. That is part of the work your support makes possible. #RiseAbove #StudentSupport #WholeChildSupport #YouthDevelopment

Education doesn’t stop when the school day ends. For our students in Rwanda, having someone who knows their story, understands their challenges, and is there when circumstances change can make a lasting difference. Our local team works alongside students, families, and schools to identify challenges early and connect students with the support they need, from counseling and family outreach to regular check-ins and follow-up. It’s not just about keeping students in school. It’s about making sure they have a strong support system around them as they grow. This is what whole - child support looks like at RAS. ❤️ Learn more: www.risingabovethestorms.org #RiseAbove #WholeChildSupport #StudentSuccess #YouthDevelopment #EducationForAll

🇷🇼 Rwanda Volunteer Trip 2026 | Day 2 Day two brought our volunteer group into the heart of the community - visiting our students in their homes, and spending meaningful time with their families. ❤️ These personal connections and life-changing moments reminded us exactly why this work matters. 🌍💛 ✨ Join us in rising above the storms: risingabovethestorms.org/donations/ #Rwanda2026 #DonorTrip #CommunityImpact #BrighterFutures

🎒 60 new students are joining RAS next month. ❤️ Each one brings a different story, different strengths, and different dreams. Our job is to help make sure opportunity is not the thing standing in their way. From school support and supplies to technology, meals, mentorship, and more, we are getting ready to welcome our newest cohort. ❤️ Support our Back to School campaign: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/rising-above-the-storms/empowering-dreams-one-student-at-a-time-2026 #RiseAbove #RASBackToSchool #ItTakesAVillage

Our guests are on their way, and we cannot wait to welcome them to Rwanda! 🇷🇼❤️ This weekend, we will welcome our inaugural @risingabovethestorms Rwanda Immersion group. Next week will be busy, full, and exciting. Our guests will spend time with our students and their families, meet our Rwanda team, participate in activities at the Center, and experience the work of RAS up close. We will be sharing photos, stories, and special moments throughout the week, so follow along here for updates. ✨ There is still time to be part of the impact. Your support will help us provide additional resources for our students, families, and programs. Support the campaign: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/rising-above-the-storms/ras-immersion-trip-to-rwanda-2026 #RiseAbove #RisingAbovetheStorms #Rwanda #EducationAccess #StudentSupport #NonprofitImpact

At our Center in Rwanda, a hot meal is not an extra. It is part of the work. During a recent school visit, one student shared that she struggles academically because her family often does not have enough food in the evenings. She still shows up. That is why we support the whole child. When students come to the Center, they can count on a hot meal, care, and encouragement. When needs arise at home, our team steps in as logistics and resources allow. Because a child cannot learn well on an empty stomach. 👉 Sponsor a gift toward their future: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/rising-above-the-storms/ras-future-leaders-circle #RiseAbove #EducationChangesLives #OneStudentAtATime

🎉 Later this summer, a group of RAS supporters will experience our work firsthand on the ground in Rwanda. This August, Rising Above the Storms is bringing a group of supporters to Rwanda to meet the students we support, spend time with our team, and experience how this mission comes to life. Together, we will also help bring practical resources — including laptops and school supplies — that support students as they continue learning and moving forward. Proximity matters. You can still be part of this impact trip — donate to this mission and travel with us in spirit. 👉https://secure.givelively.org/donate/rising-above-the-storms/ras-immersion-trip-to-rwanda-2026 #RiseAbove #Rwanda2026 #EducationMatters #SocialImpact

🌷 Today, we celebrate the mothers of the children we serve in Rwanda. The mothers who keep showing up. The mothers who work hard, pray hard, sacrifice quietly, and still wonder if they are doing enough. Many of these mothers carry a heavy burden. They want the best for their children, but poverty can make even the basics feel out of reach. At RAS, these mothers are not bystanders in our work. They are partners. They know their children deeply. They keep believing, keep pushing, and keep holding families together when life is hard. In Rwanda, we often say that a woman is a community. To every mother connected to our students who has ever felt inadequate because she could not provide everything her child needed: 👏 We see your effort, we respect your love, and we are proud to walk beside you as your children keep learning, growing, and moving forward. 🤎 Happy Mother’s Day. #RiseAbove #MothersDay #Education #SocialImpact

Fabrice is a freshman studying Quantity Surveying at the University of Rwanda’s College of Science and Technology. During a recent visit by our staff, he shared that his studies are going well and that he is working hard to achieve his goals. Fabrice has a 1:1 sponsor today. That support helps him stay focused and keep moving forward. But more students are still waiting for that same opportunity. Sponsor a student like Fabrice today. 👉 Link in bio #RiseAbove #EducationMatters #StudentSuccess #SocialImpact #StudentSponsor

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Fabrice is a freshman studying Quantity Surveying at the University of Rwanda’s College of Science and Technology.