Adoption Stories Part II: Taylor Family: Ethiopia to NW Indiana

Steadfast in Love

This week I get to introduce you to the Taylor family.  And after hearing from Erin as she shared about their journey, and then meeting the entire family last weekend, the word "steadfast" just keeps coming to mind.  This family is steadfast, they honor the Lord, they hold fast to His promises and they stay steadfast in love for each other.  It is a hard choice to make sometimes, but joy meets us there, and so does restored relationships and love.  This family shows up for one another, and I am incredibly honored and excited to share this beautiful story with you. 

The Taylor Story: 

The Taylor adoption story began nine years ago.  They were a beautiful family of 5, Erin and Chris married, with Jackson, Abby and McKenna at their feet.  There was love and joy in the messiness of raising little ones.  Grace to be poured out each morning and snuggles and I'm sorry's in the evening.  The incredible responsibility and gift to raise up little ones.  Then, brokenness ensued as they miscarried their fourth child.  There was heartache and grief, but restorative healing from the loss as well. At about this same time, the prospect of adoption kept coming up over and over again within their lives.  And in 2008, they decided to take a step forwards into adoption through the country of Ethiopia.  

After 1.5 years into the adoption process, they were able to bring Mesay home from Ethiopia.  Mesay's father unfortunately passed away due to illness, leaving his mother unable to provide for him, thus placing Mesay in an orphanage as a means to best provide for her child.  The most beautiful thing to me as I chatted with Erin was the way that she spoke of Mesay's mother, as it was incredibly evident the love that spilled over.  Love for her that she loved Mesay incredibly and did what was in his best interest to give him a chance at survival and a life of dreams.   Love that Mesay's Ethiopian mother was able to love Mesay beyond herself and sacrifice on her behalf.  And so here we have the most incredible sacrifice on both ends.  Mesay's Ethiopian mother sacrificing her desire to have her son near her, and the Taylor's sacrificing of resources to bring Mesay into their own family.  And through it all, Mesay has been so deeply, deeply loved. 

The Book of Pictures: 

And something I found incredibly beautiful about this story is a piece that comes out of heartache, but comes forth into beautiful redemption.  For the Taylor's decided to send yearly updates to Mesay's Ethiopian mother through pictures (due to the language barrier) as a way to love her and keep her informed with all the growth of Mesay.  However, it was only years later that they discovered that the location for where they were transporting the pictures had closed, and Mesay's Ethiopian mother never received them.  But here is the beautiful thing.  The Taylors were steadfast, creative and loving as they put together a book of pictures of Mesay's growing, and sent them with the private investigator who had discovered the lack of transport in the first place, and delivered them to Mesay's Ethiopian mother.  Upon receiving them, she lifted her hands up to the Lord in gratitude as she held them in her hands.  This is so redeeming.  A simple act, but one that can move mountains.  I only think of the way God loves us, they way He too can overwhelm us in an instant with His goodness and grace, flooding His mercy over us.  I also clearly love the testament to the power of images and how important photography is to document the ever passing moments in time. 

And truly, let us not forget to mention the incredible love being lavished on Mesay from every aspect of his family.  His parents so adore him, his brothers and sisters dote on him as the baby sibling that he is.  He is treasured and adored.  And something beautiful to be reminded of is the love that is able to cross borders and boundaries. The love that crosses cultural divides and the ability to overcome hardship with goodness.  As Mesay described to me what he loved most about his parents he said, "Kindness".  Kindness always trumps, am I right?  What a beautiful testimony to the steadfast kindness of the Taylor's over their little boy, their perfect completion to their family. 

Is one Enough?

Something I was SO incredibly grateful to Erin for, was in her opening up to me and sharing about her struggle to be done adopting after Mesay.  For after the adoption process and as she was in this new circle of other "adoptive mamas", she told me a little of her struggle to be done.  She was feeling called to adopt another child, however Chris was not.  And as she prayed and kept hoping for more, she in time began to realize that for now, Mesay was enough.  Their family was and is enough just as it is.  For you see, it was hard as she constantly was comparing to the other adoptive mothers who had adopted more than one.  She felt she needed to somehow measure up in this tribe of adoptive parents, to make sure Mesay had a sibling of the same ethnicity, or just striving to prove some value and worth.  And goodness, is this right where my heart is at.  How many times do we as mothers struggle with this?  We want the best for our children right, and we want to fit in?  Goodness, yes.  But as she spoke, it was crazy the confidence that she can now speak and talk about how beautiful their family is, just as is.  And guys, holy cow, these kids, they just love each other so well!  Their bond, their adoration and care for one another.  It is so beautiful.  Their family is so beautiful.  And maybe one day, another child may be added?  Who knows the plans of the Lord, but may we rest in what God has for us here, for us now.  And may we be ok if it doesn't look like the stories of those around us.  May we be ok with the beautiful work the Lord is doing right within us, whatever it looks like?  Let's say yes to more of this in our lives, for I can guarantee it will be the most rewarding journey! 

Advice on Adoption: 

In asking any advice for families considering adoption Erin mentioned that you should "Be open to take the next step.  Doors open and might not look like what you want.  And surround yourself with an adoption community to get the help and support you need. "

Letter to the Taylor's: 

Taylor family, what a beautiful blessing to this world that you are.  Full of compassion, commitment and a steadfast love for each other.  Your hearts beat together, in unison for the good of this world.  You laugh together, play sports together and overall it is so evident that you enjoy your time together, with each other, and what a beautiful thing that is.  

Chris- the leader of the tribe.  Your humbleness and compassion reigns evident for all to see.  The way you still look at Erin, encouraging her, affirming her, and supporting her.  The kids see how well you love her and it is displayed in the way the children treat her as well.  She is your prized treasure, your greatest delight, and is pours over into the way you love your children.  Their is such joy as you come alongside your children- giving wisdom and proving example in the gentlest of ways.  You are a great example for your children to look up to and a welcome hand for advice and love when they need it. 

Jackson- the oldest of the crew.  You are adventurous and fun!  Leading the soccer games and tree-climbing excursions.  However, love abounds in you.  The way you kindly check in on your younger siblings, taking care of them and protecting them.  You love well and love large.  Your siblings look up to you, and so admire you as their big brother. 

Abigail- Sweet, sweet abigail.  Your heart could leap through the world and not return void.  You are compassionate and loyal.   The quiet spirit with so much creativity and beauty flowing from within.  You are going to change the world, as you are already changing the world where you are standing now within your family and season of life.  You have a beautiful soul dear one, and I hope it continues to grow and radiate across the world! 

Makenna- so full of life!  You brighten a room wherever you are I am sure!! The perfect sidekick with Mesay.  Your joy is exciting to watch, as you wade adventure and seek challenges before you!  You are going to be a fighter, a defender of the weak.  You are fiercely loyal and incredibly kind.  I cannot wait to see how you advocate for others with your spark for life! 

Mesay- the gentle joy.  I cannot get over your beautiful smile.  It truly lights up the world.  You may be soft spoken, but you have such beautiful things to say.  You are coming into your own in this world and stepping into the greatest destined before you.  Not afraid of adventure, and yet, wise and thoughtful in words and actions.  You are so deeply loved and your heart shows the depths of your intense value and worth. You are the doted on baby of the family and they could not love you more.   In the words of your siblings, you are "awesome.  goofy.  strong."  Keep being all you Messay, for the world is lucky to have you shining here. 

Erin- the kindest, most endearing soul.  You love so kindly.  It is incredibly evident the way you listen to your children well.  They are valuable, and loved.  You sacrifice so much of your time for them, but you wouldn't change a thing, for you are living the best life.  You give so much of yourself as you continue to be the light to the people of influence around you.  You truly know how to make people feel valued, important and cared for, even outside of your immediate circle.  You are gracious and extend love freely.  I am so thankful to have met you and feel as if we could be great friends for life.  You are so genuine and what a rare thing these days.  You are truly a gift my friend.  Know that you are so deeply loved.

*This is my second story in my adoption series.  To view my first beautiful story featuring the Allyn Family, click below:

Resources

As in keeping tradition with my adoption stories, here are some resources for you! 

Adoption Agency: Bethany Christian Services

Erin works with an organizational called Isagenix that has been a beautiful resource for them to help with nutrition and she is now even a part of a group within the company called #Adoptagenix which specifically works towards bringing the right nutrition towards children who are malnourished or struggled due to HIV.  If you would like more information, please contact Erin here. 

Erin also has a couple of other helpful resources.  The first is a blog series that she wrote as they went through their adoption process with Mesay.  It is chalk full of helpful resources and information if you or anyone you know is interested in adoption. 

Erin's Blog

She has also recently been creating a website for her and her family.  It covers everything from faith and family, to fitness, food, finances and philanthropy.  Be sure to check out these valuable resources below. 

Erin's Website

*If you or someone you know would like to be a part of my Adoption Stories Series, I would love to hear from you! 

Let's continue to be the hands and feet to those all around us in need! 

~Humbly sharing stories and greatness, advocating for hope around the world, 

~Laura 

Sharing my Story: Laura Duggleby Photography: NW Indiana

Identity 

Sharing my story always comes back to identity, many times my lack of it, and the growth of finding it, discerning who I am, what I am called to, and learning to accept that, even if I do not always believe the truth that is instilled within it. 

My parents divorced when I was 6 years old, both to somewhat quickly remarry.  It was a beautiful thing/ is a beautiful thing to have so much family, so many people loving and caring for you.   However, it was not without brokenness and questioning of my identity within the process.

I was also a competitive gymnast my entire life growing up.  I practically lived in the gym, loving  my time there.  But being a gymnast stirs up feelings of perfection and unattainable goals as you are always striving and seeking for the very slimly attainable 10.0.  And to mix in my already Type-A, slightly OCD tendencies, I was destined for loads of inadequacies on my end, never feeling like I measured up for the standards I set for myself, for the goals I tried to reach, or the mountains I was trying to overcome. My identity felt like a failure many days, struggling with an eating disorder and trying to fit in despite my overwhelming awkwardness, introversion and severe acne.  The funny thing is that I actually have some amazing memories from this time in my life, as the friends I did have were incredible, I got to train day in and day out in the gym, and I was the weird kid who actually kind of enjoyed school.  So, it wasn't all bad, but when I went to the heart of the matter, I would sink deep into my thoughts and feelings, and feel overwhelmed every time; alone and forgotten, or as if I just didn't fit in.  

College Days

From High School I received a scholarship to compete in gymnastics for Ball State University, I met my now husband and truly began to discover the true meaning of grace over my life. I began to see that even though I was still a hot mess most days, it didn't matter, there was purpose for me even still.  As Josh (my now husband) began pursuing me, I was also able to see more of my Heavenly Father pursuing me.  The pursuit of my heart, being seen and heard and loved in radical ways opened my eyes to an entirely new version of life.  Of course, being in love will do that for you, but this was something much deeper, for as Josh was pursuing me, I was also losing my identity of gymnastics, the only thing I had ever known as I underwent 3 surgeries due to injury and was unable to compete my last two years.  I was being stripped of everything I had ever known, and yet it was being replaced with everything I ever wanted to know.  I was learning to accept my messy, my weird, my awkward self and that propelled me to being able to care and love others in a way I had never been able to before.  For, as my identity in Christ grew, as I discovered more of who I am in Him, that I am Chosen, Adopted, Beloved, Redeemed, it led me to be on mission for others, to help them to see this same thing about themselves, and that brought forth some of the greatest joy I have ever known. 

Marriage and Loss

2 Weeks after graduation day, I was blessed to be able to walk down the aisle and marry my best friend.  It was the sweetest memory!  Kissing him for the first time, and knowing that I had someone choosing to be by my side was one of the sweetest gifts.  Little did I know how much I would need this sweet gift a few years later. 

January 4, 2014 we lost our first child due to miscarriage.  I thought I was in the blissful days of life, everything going according to "planned", until the unimaginable, uncontrollable happened.  I went numb.  I couldn't leave the house, I felt as if all emotion left my body for quite a long period of time, around 5 months.  I would cry uncontrollably. I couldn't eat, or sleep right.  I was grieving and as we then discovered that I had PCOS and that we would most likely struggle with fertility issues, I felt as if my dream of motherhood was dying.  I had always dreamed of being that mom with a large family and all her kids into sports, driving a large SUV.  The dream was slipping through my fingers, and I was quickly discovering that no amount of planning or working hard could make pregnancy happen.  It was simply out of my control, and this horrified me.  But one evening, as I was sobbing uncontrollably and quite honestly yelling at the Lord in anger, God showed up for me. 

Stepping into Photography 

That day, the Lord did two things for me. 1. He gave me a name for our lost child, Olivia Grace.  It was a beautiful piece of closure I needed, not to be able to move on, but to be able to breathe enough, to gasp enough air for life to be worth living and fighting for.  I had battled severe depression throughout this time, even planning out suicidal actions, so this was like fresh water washing over me, a new beginning.  The second thing he did, was whisper to my heart that I needed to get a DSLR camera and start trying to learn photography.  I had always been a photographer at heart, snapping hundreds of photos at every family vacation, getting all the film developed and making crazy scrapbooks from each trip, accompanied by my journal entires along the way.  Processing through writing and images has always been a creative outlet for me.  

But what photography did for me in this season was incredibly healing.  It brought my identity back into the light, both physically and metaphorically.  For, I was able to notice actual physical beams of light shining in our house, and around town.  I became obsessed with looking for and seeing the light.  And as I was coming from the darkest state of my life, this also became incredibly healing for me, as I also began to see the beauty of creation around me.  I began to see hope, to see the beauty within the mess, within the imperfection, within the incontrollable.  And as this began, I became addicted.  I took every online class I could, attended conferences and met as many photographers as I could, to learn and grow and discover this new blooming gift in my life. 

Discovering my Calling

And as seasons turned and I grew and developed as an artist, I also began to discover the type of images I was drawn into taking.  I love images with shadow light play, or strong uses of light.  I love the documentation of real life, messy, just as it is, not posed or perfect.  I am drawn to the connection between people, and the story that comes from each person.  So, about 8 weeks ago, as I was on a plane to TX to be there for a hard time my family was experiencing, God brought words to exactly what my mind and heart had been trying to process and attain.  Advocating rich stories of hope, making extraordinary of the seemingly ordinary.  This was it.  Identity had been brought full circle for me.  And as this dream and vision continued to narrow, I have felt extremely called to advocate for orphan care and providing a home and family for each child in need in the process.  Why?  Identity.  It all comes back to identity for me.  When I come back to knowing that I am seen, and loved, chosen, adopted, and beloved, that I have value and worth, my mission is to share this with others. And who needs this more than  the abandoned, or alone children on the streets around the world?  The children without homes who feel neglected, forgotten, rejected, ugly, and of little or no value.  These are the ones who need it most, and these are the ones I feel called to show up for?  For practically speaking, I feel called to document rich stories of hope right within the families and couples I know and get to come in contact with, while supporting and uplifting people who are helping on the front lines of orphan care, whether that be family reconciliation, or creating family homes in country, or even adoption.  Because here is the thing, if I can be brought from a place of extreme hopelessness and lack of purpose to knowing that I am held in the arms of my loving Father, with rich purpose before me, than I know it can be possible for others as well. So, today I am sharing my story.  

Another thing that has been insanely helpful for me in my life, is remembering that I am not in control, nor do I need to be in control.  Sometimes things happen in this life that are out of our control, and that is ok.  As I sit back and rest in the fact that I do not have it all together and am out of control at some times, that is ok.  Because God is bigger than all of it, and He is in control.  I don't have to do it all, for He already has.  He is enough, and I am enough in Him, just as I am, without doing a single thing.  I will never be enough for the world, and that is ok.  I will never be able to control the people or certain events around me, and that is ok.  Shoot, sometimes, I cannot even control me.  But Jesus is bigger than all of it, and He says He has got it, I can let go of my grip, and trust Him.  I can trust that I am who He says I am, not who I constantly portray myself to be. 

So, this is me, and this is my story. I struggle every day in identity, however, I also have been given the grace to know this life is worth it.  I am worth it.  I am seen and loved, chosen, adopted, beloved, and redeemed and I hope you know this about yourself as well. I am leaning into the hope despite pain and suffering, despite failed expectations or rejections, I am leaning into hope.  No matter where you stand, or how you feel, there can always be hope.  Lean into it today and let it meet you where you are. 

~Laura 

Collision of Photography & Orphan Care through Back to School Mini Sessions: NW IN, TX, & KS

Celebrating Back to School 

Hello Hello everyone!! So here we are and I am SO excited to announce my first ever partnership with KEFA Project  to be able to truly take one small action to affecting the orphan crisis I have been talking so much about lately.  

As I have been researching, learning, listening and praying over all that is happening within the orphan crisis around the world, one of the biggest things I keep coming back to is poverty.  Poverty has such a large affect on the orphan crisis in the world, because so many of these children that are brought to orphanages have loving, incredible parents, however they simply cannot provide for their family, and in order of the survival of their children they bring them to orphanages to allow them to simply have their needs met.  Now, this is not the story for every orphan, or even most possibly, but it is the story of many.  Many orphans are not truly orphans at all, they are simply a piece of a family struggling to make it financially and a lot of that happens to be cyclical. 

The Cycle of Poverty 

Because here is the thing, when a family is in poverty, they typically require their children to start working with them from a very young age to simply make ends meet and keep them from starvation.  Due to this, children are not going to school, not receiving an education, and thus less likely to have the opportunity to get a better paying job for themselves and their own families one day, and thus the cycle of poverty continues.  

And one of the reasons I chose to work with KEFA Project and something that they do SO incredibly well is family reconciliation.  I have seen it with my own eyes from my trip over last November.  And as I have spoken with Brian, the Head Director recently, they truly are making it a top priority to get all the children they are able to back into their homes with their biological families, where they can also help teach the families how to provide for themselves, while also restoring the natural bond that is there.  It is a beautiful picture of restoration and hope, and it is absolutely something I think changes the course of history, when we can get young street children back into their home environments when possible. 

How to Answer the Call?

So, what do we do with all of this information?  We pray and we meet practical needs.  The more I invest my heart and my eyes towards Jesus in this, I am so reminded that we must first meet the practical needs of these individuals.  If we say we "love the world" or "have a heart for the world" or "wish things could be different" and yet do nothing to practically meet the needs of others than our words do not line up with our actions. 

Now, I do want to also mention something here.  I grew up in a very strict church where I was taught the law of the Lord sometimes over the love of the Lord.  It took me a long time to understand the grace of Jesus, and to be honest it is something that I am still seeking to understand each day.  But that to say this.  We cannot help everyone.  And I do not even think "help" is the right word.  For truly, I see it as coming alongside an individual and saying "I see you, I believe in you, I know you have value and I want to help you to achieve some of your dreams, because you are worth it".  But, we are not saviors, we who have been richly blessed are no better than the poor.  We simply have been given resources into our hands, and I believe that it is our obligation to do SOMETHING good with our gifts.  BUT HEAR ME IN THIS, that does not mean that we must do EVERYTHING.  We cannot do it all, nor shall we do it all.  But, if you are not doing at least ONE thing to stand beside the poor of this world, I might ask your heart where you stand with advocating for the least of these?

Deutoronomy 15:11 states: "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land."

Announcing Back to School Fall Mini Sessions that Give to KEFA Project!  

So, with all of this, I am really excited to share with you how you can practically answer this call to open our hands to our brothers and sisters.  How we can love others in need well! 

The beautiful collision of photography to meet the needs of some boys in Rwanda.  I will be offering MINI SESSIONS this fall, in which each session will directly sponsor a child in need!! I will be hosting mini session day events here in NW Indiana, as well as Texas and possibly KS and am willing to travel anywhere if there is interest, so don't hesitate to reach out!!  Because here is the thing, these kids are WORTH IT!!  This will be an opportunity for you to get some great images of you and your family together before the holidays as well as saying yes to being the hands and feet to those in need in the process!!  Completely amazing right?!  Each of these mini sessions will be directly aiding a child from KEFA Project to help in either education, food provisions or housing depending on what is the greatest need for each child!  

Here is the breakdown and absolute specifics:

Mini Session with Laura Duggleby Photography:

25 min session,

to include: 

20 digitally edited images

3- 5x7 prints.  

AND a print of your sponsor child!!!

(to consistently remind you of the child you have said yes to being a blessing to! )  

Cost: $150 -

($30 of each session is going DIRECTLY to KEFA Project, where the project director Brian Beckman and his staff will determine which of the 3 categories: education, food or living the money will go towards depending on the child's greatest need at this time). 

LOCATIONS I DATES I TIMES: 

NW INDIANA- Sat. SEPT 16th

     times: Approx. 6:30AM, 7:00AM, 7:30AM, 8:00AM I 7:00PM, 7:30PM, 8:00PM, 8:30PM

DFW TEXAS- Sun. Oct. 8th

     times: Approx. 7:30AM, 8:00AM, 8:30AM, 9:00AM I 7:00PM, 7:30PM, 8:00PM, 8:30PM

Topeka/Kansas City, KANSAS- Tentatively NOV. 4th

     times: Approx. 8:00AM, 8:30AM, 9:00AM, 9:30AM

So guys, if you need Christmas card photos, now is the time!  If you just need some updates family portraits, now it the time!  If you simply want to help some kids be provided for, and get beautiful images in the process, now is the time!! 

Below I am listing ALL the boys that we are praying over and hoping to bless with $30 each through these mini sessions.  I will be advertising a name beside each time slot, however if you truly feel called to give to a certain boy, than by all means, let me know and we can make that happen!  Here are their stories.  Because as you also know I firmly believe that EVERY story matters! Let's show up for these young men.  

001 Bonane spent several years as a house boy and off and on the streets. He is an extremely talented soccer player and he was able to move into our academy at an older age. He has graduated with a degree in general mechanics and pursuing both a career in soccer and in mechanics. He is currently in our transition program that prepares the young men to leave the academy and be able to make a sustainable living and handle finances. 

002 Masta (Claude) grew up in a taxi park called Nyabugogo. He was famous for stealing bikes. Now at the academy, he is famous for soccer, rapping, and dancing. He is currently finishing his final year of primary school and excited to start secondary school.

003 Billgates (real name Jean De Dieu) came into our academy after it had been opened for two years. We brought him in the academy specifically so he could deal with a medical condition. This allowed him to focus on his soccer development and education. He is a leader of the other boys and frequently helps boys who are struggling make good decisions. He is in charge of training other boys to understand how to save money. He is currently studying computer science at university.

004 Alex’s mother and father died when he was young. When he moved with his brothers and sisters to the capital city of Kigali, he began associating with a street gang called the Marines. He left home and began using drugs and stealing. He entered into our academy when it opened and began to transform immediately. He was reconciled back with his family and excelled in school. He just completed vocational training school in panel beating (auto body repair) and has begun working in this field. His brother tells us, “I am so happy he is doing well now. I just love him so much.”

005 Eric is a bright young athlete who works hard, shares his faith with the community, and loves those younger than him well. We found him initially on the streets.

006. Noah grew up in poverty and was part of a street kids program. He was able to join the academy when it began. He is an extremely funny boy and one of the comedians of the academy – always making the other boys laugh. He was able to finish high school this past year with high marks. He is going to university and studying computer science.

007. Vama grew up in a taxi park called Nyabugogo. He is a massive soccer fan and can be found either jumping up and down when his teams (Real Madrid and Chelsea) are winning or bemoaning the loss when they are not. He has an infectious smile and is a bright student. He is currently finishing his final year of primary school.

009 Nana grew up in a poor family. He is a soft spoken boy. He is a quiet leader, one who does not stand out, but has a huge impact on the other boys. He has a huge smile, is a dedicated student, a dedicated athlete, and an all around positive influence on everyone at the academy. He has big dreams of playing soccer at university outside of Rwanda.

010 Gatari grew up on the streets. He was part of a gang called the Marines. They received their name from diving into raging water during the rainy season to retrieve items for people. He is extremely strong and loves younger kids. While at the academy, he even started his own team for younger boys. He graduated from vocational training school with an emphasis of general mechanics. He currently is playing soccer in Rwanda’s Professional Second Division and is working to find employment.

011 Etienne grew up on and off of the streets. He is a goalkeeper on the field and off the field can often be found creating many types of creative competitions for himself and his teammates. After winning, or losing, he will declare 'I AM THE CHAMPION.' He is currently helping to support his younger sister.

012 Olivier grew up in a poor family and is the younger brother of some of our first community athletes. He is one the leaders and spokesmen of all the boys at the academy. He is extremely talented at English and can even translate English now. He is a fearless goalkeeper. He gives other athletes wise advice and pushes them to be better people. He is currently studying telecommunications at University.

013 Laurent came from an extremely poor family. He entered into the academy when it began. He is an extremely sweet kid and loving of others. This past year he finished senior six in high school. He is currently studying hard so that he can go to university. He has a passion for graphic design and hopes to become a designer.

014 Focus lived on the streets at a taxi park called Nyabugogo. When we were working to start the academy, Focus was arrested and put in prison for living on the streets. We worked to get him released and moved into the academy. When he finally was able to move in he was extremely weak and sick. Of all the boys at the academy, I do not think a single boy has changed more from Focus. He changed from a boy who was extremely tough and unkind, to a boy who took care of others and we could rely on for anything. He finished vocational training school in panel beating (auto body repair). He is extremely passionate about this field and is looking for full-time employment.

015 Eric grew up off and on the streets. He is a very bright student and talented soccer player. He speaks English well and is studying hard in his final year of high school with hopes of playing and studying abroad. He has played at the highest level of soccer in Rwanda.

016 Bienvenue is a comedian in the academy. He loves to make others laugh and to be a showman – once you get to know him. He lived on the streets for a long time as part of a gang of kids.

017 No athlete is happier to be at the academy than Jean Claude. He is one of our top young athletes and is top of his class in school. He lived for one year on the streets before entering the academy.

018 Sostine is one of our youngest athletes at the academy. He lived on the streets from seven until early this year. He is doing great at school, has an infectious laugh, is a talented martial artist, and loves challenging older boys on the soccer field.

019 Sumayir is a ball of energy! He lived on the streets since the age of seven. He loves dancing, karate, and rapping. He is the most expressive kid at the academy and lives life with full passion.

020 Theogene is a mentor for the youngest boys at the academy as you can see from the picture. He left the academy for sometime and was back on the streets, but was able to come back rejoin our academy and is preparing to start vocational training. He is wise and cares well for others.

021 Jean de Dieu lived on the streets for many years before entering the academy. He was part of a gang of kids on the streets. Even while on the streets, he was sometimes able to attend school. He is currently top of his class in school.

022 Emile was the leader of a gang of kids on the streets. He protected the younger boys and looked after them. He loves life at the academy where he has made many friends, is attending school, and getting to be a kid.

023 Dushimwe is the youngest athlete at the academy and has the biggest smile in the world. He lived on the streets for several years. He loves to dance, to play soccer, and to wink at people.

024 Jean Baptiste is the newest athlete in our academy. He lived on and off of the streets and he came to our academy after being released from a youth detention center. He has a mischievous smile, is extremely smart, and loves jumping into anything that is happening at the academy.

025 Kamanayo lived on the streets at a taxi park called Nyabugogo. When we were working to start the academy Kamanayo was arrested and put in prison for living on the streets. We worked to get him released and moved into the academy. When he finally was able to move in he was extremely weak and sick. He flourished at the academy and completely transformed his life. He finished vocational training school with an emphasis in panel beating (auto body repair).  He is currently in our transition program and working to find employment.

026 Theoneste grew up spending a portion of his day at a landfill near his home. We met him when we started a team for boys in that landfill. He joined the academy when the academy started. He is a quiet, kind boy and is very intelligent. He immediately began to grow and change at the academy. He graduated from vocational training school with a degree in general mechanics. He is currently living in our transitional program and is looking for employment.

In Closing 

And let me say this finally friends,  this organization is the same I was blessed to be able to travel with last November.  I have had the privilege of meeting most of these boys and they are such good people.  They are kind and honest, and work hard.  They are loyal and genuine and just super fun to be around.  KEFA Project has done and extraordinary job with them and continues to  do so day in and day out as they lead up this next generation of men!!  If you choose to partner with us through getting some images taken this fall with me, you are going to be blessed.  For truly our joy resides as we give.  Let us give.  Let us do our part to share hope, to share our stories with them, as they so beautifully share theirs with us.  May we unify together as one body and support others around us.  For that is where beauty and the rich life exists.  This is helping prevent orphan care.  And that is love.  This is action.  This is grace.  

If you would like to book your session, please click below! 

Or if you would like more information on this amazing organization or how else you can further get involved with them, here is where you can find them: 

Thanks so much you guys!! Cannot wait to have you be a part of this amazing opportunity!! And please share this with family and friends so that we might be able to get ALL of these boys sponsored!!

~In rich expectancy and joy, 

Laura