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