Laura's Letter, June 2014

Another reason I love what I do...

There are a few really obvious reasons why my job is pretty great. I get to travel. I work with some really amazing people around the world. I get to be a part of programs that are changing the trajectory of opportunity for literally hundreds of Rwandan families. These examples are just a few of the ways it is easy to see the impact that The Elevation Project has in Rwanda, but sometimes the effect that we have here in Canada is a little less apparent. Let me share what Kyler, a past Elevation Project participant, wrote when I asked him about the impact his involvement has had on his life. Hopefully it will give you a glimpse of the effect our work has, right here in Canada.
 

Kyler on our trip to Rwanda in 2012

I started my involvement with The Elevation Project in 2010. What a great opportunity at age 16 to travel halfway around the world to work with the most loving, caring and giving people I have ever met. Since then, I have gone a second time to Rwanda in 2012 to be an Assistant Team Leader, helping organize activities, run summer camps for the kids and build relationships. And currently, I have joined The Elevation Project team as a social media intern developing campaign that will run for the last 6 months of this year, and hopefully have an impact on the program as a whole.
 
Before getting involved with The Elevation Project I believed that I lived a good life, having family and friends who love, support and care for me. After the Elevation Experience I know I live a care free life of privilege, often extravagant even. I believed I was going to Rwanda to lead and help but I realized coming back that I had been helped and, above all, changed. Partaking in a trip to a place like Rwanda, you see truly how different we live, and not always in good ways. You see how involved and loving people are in their communities. You learn the true meaning of humility and how important human relationship is to people.
 
The Elevation Project has affected my life professionally, personally and spiritually. It lead me to my current field of studies - marketing - with the desire to use my knowledge for a good cause. The experience has also changed how I see the world and the way we live it. It’s helped me realize what is truly important in life and to not be consumed by our North American way of living. I am forever grateful for my experience with The Elevation Project, helping me grow as a person, individual and a man. Accepting God in my heart, soul and mind to lead me down the right path in life.
 
Watching young people like Kyler grow, making the type of life choices he has, and knowing that our work has been a part of that is another one of the many reasons that I love what I do!

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Prayer Points

• Pray for our current Elevation Experience team - that their lives will be impacted just as Kyler's has been.
• Pray for our Rwandan friends as they prepare for our time together.

 Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr!

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If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE. 

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It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are ~ee cummings

Laura's Letter, March 2014

You might be asking yourself, “What on earth is the Elevation Experience?” Remember the youth trips to Rwanda that I’ve been involved in leading in 2008, 2010, and 2012? We’ve worked really hard at The Elevation Project over the past while responding to the feedback from those trips and expanding our “trip” into a full-fledged leadership development program... The Elevation Experience!
 
And what does this look like? It means this year’s team benefits from 5-7 pre-travel trainings in poverty, justice and international development, as well as the practical stuff involved in traveling across the world. They have the opportunity to live what they’ve been learning on the ground in Rwanda alongside Rwandan young people who are also in the midst of leadership training. Finally, there is a year of post-travel mentorship and follow-up as they explore how to apply what they’ve learned back here in Canada. All this culminates in a certificate of completion, a letter of reference, and (God willing) a group of young people who’ve had their outlook challenged and world rocked by being involved in a life-changing project.
 
This year we’ve got an amazing team coming together. We’ve made a big effort to make our program accessible to youth who show leadership potential, but lack support due to challenging family situations. I’m excited to be partnering with an organization that does mentoring on the Downtown Eastside, as two youth in their program are involved in the Elevation Experience 2014. Together, we hope to provide the supportive environment needed for these youth to succeed in a program of this type. I believe this will be an empowering Experience for all the members of our team, no matter what their background, but I’m especially excited to be able to offer this opportunity to youth who’ve been excluded in the past.

Because some of our participants this year come from challenging backgrounds, we are committed to working together as a team to meet our trip goals. In the next number of weeks I will be approaching people and businesses on behalf of the whole team to partner with us in the Elevation Experience. I’d like to invite you to specifically consider what your role could be in providing these life-changing opportunities to disadvantaged youth.
 
Walking with us could mean:

• Committing to pray for our team at specific times, such as meeting dates, fundraising deadlines, etc;
• Volunteering to provide snacks and drinks for our meetings, pre-trip trainings, and post-trip follow-up events;
• Allowing one of our teen participants to contact you regarding their fundraising goals;
• Planning a fundraising event, or making an appeal on our behalf to raise funds for this year’s Experience;
• Making a donation directly to The Elevation Project (see details below).

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Donations
Both monthly and one-time gifts are really helpful in this situation - monthly gifts support the staff hours that go into supporting our team, pre-trip training, the trip itself, and post-trip follow-up; one-time gifts helps us pay for trip-specific costs.

Would you consider partnering with us in one of these ways?

Many of you who are reading this already support my work with The Elevation Project. Without you, The Elevation Project wouldn’t be possible and I’m sincerely grateful for your support. Would you consider suggesting The EP to someone else?
 
If you are interested in making a donation - either a special one-time gift or a monthly contribution - click here to give online or here to download a giving form to mail to Youth Unlimited, 115-12975 84th Ave, Surrey BC  V3W 1B3.
 
With your help, we are looking forward to seeing change in the lives of the Elevation Experience 2014 team!

Prayer Points

• Pray the Elevation Experience team as we begin our adventure together.
• Pray specifically about the opportunities outline in this post.

 Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr!

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If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE. 

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May your adventures bring you closer together, even as they take you far away from home ~ Trenton Lee Stewart

Laura's Letter, Christmas 2013

Partnership & Teamwork
We're better together

I had the opportunity recently to travel to a lakeside town in Rwanda with the school leadership of Kigali Christian School for their first ever leadership retreat. At the retreat were the Director of Social Programs for Rwanda YFC, Sponsorship Coordinator, School Principal, School Office Manager, Nursery, Primary, & Secondary School Managers, Teacher Team Leaders, the Deputy National Director, and myself. What an amazing group of leaders to be a part of! Each one with a different role, gifting, and job description, but all working towards a common goal - providing high quality education to children from all backgrounds, underpinned with the love of God.
 
This group of people has been instrumental in transforming the lives of over 700 Rwandan children for the last 7 years at Kigali Christian School, but this was the first time they’d come together like this to strategize and dream. As we spoke, we realized how much had been accomplished throughout the partnership and teamwork of those present, but it was also apparent how much more effective the team was going to be now that they were intentionally combining their gifts through the planning that was being done. We all left thankful for the past and excited for the future.
 
As I reflect on the wider work that we do together with Rwanda YFC through The Elevation Project, this picture of teamwork also fits. Together, we’ve supported almost 150 children from underprivileged families receive a quality education; over 35 women have had their lives transformed, gaining hope, dignity, and income-generating skills; and over 70 young leaders, both Canadian and Rwanda, have had the opportunity to explore God’s heart for His world as they work and serve together during our Elevation Experience trips. What a team to be a part of! And YOU are a part of this wonderful team, too!
 
It’s our teamwork, GVYU, RYFC, and you, that has accomplished this. None of us could have done any of this alone because we really are better together!

Want to Join the Team?

As we approach the end of 2013, there are many more opportunities for you to be a part of this wonderful team. In 2014, we want to increase the number of sponsored students to 160+; there are exciting changes and developments in the women’s program that will address a real need here in Rwanda (think vocational training for young people unable to complete their formal education); it’s an Elevation Experience trip year, which means that 12 Canadian youth are going to have their lives impacted by rubbing shoulders and working with some amazing Rwandan young leaders; and there is much, much more that’s in the works... seriously - there’s some really great stuff brewing here at Rwanda YFC that we might be able to be a part of... I just can’t say anything yet, but soon. ;-)
 
To do all of this, we need to expand our team with year-end givers, monthly supporters, and sponsors.

Would you consider becoming a part of this team
that is doing so much more together than we could alone?

Many of you who are reading this are already a part of the team and none of what we do is possible without your partnership. Would you consider suggesting The EP to someone else for their year-end giving?
 
If you are interested in making a donation - either a special year-end gift, a monthly contribution, or through sponsorship - click here to give online or here to download a giving form to mail to Youth Unlimited, 115-12975 84th Ave, Surrey BC  V3W 1B3.

Have a wonderful Christmas and we look forward to having you on the team!

Prayer Points

• Pray for The EP’s year-end fundraising goals - this is an important time for our budget!
• That the momentum of the School Leadership Retreat would continue.
• Pray for the Elevation Experience 2014 Team that will be selected in January to travel to Rwanda in July.
• Pray for sponsors for each of the newly admitted students to the Sponsorship Program.

 Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr!

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If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE. 

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And they will call Him Emmanuel - God is with us. 
~ Matthew 1:23b

Laura's Letter, Fall 2013 Update

Blessed Ones
From the Blog, June 2013

“Walking from home to my office today I ran into Delphine, who greeted me by name, with a big smile, hug, and Kinyarwanda blessings. Delphine is one of the women that I met on my very first visit to Rwanda in 2008. She is part of the first group of HIV/AIDS-affected women that Rwanda YFC has supported to rediscover hope, dignity, and skills to support their families. Through The Elevation Project, I’ve been privileged to get to know some of these amazing women, as well.
 
I remember the first time I met Delphine. She was quiet, downcast and barely moved or showed any expression as she shared about her life. She’s the same age as me, but her story is so different from mine.
 
As a teenager, she was raped as she was walking to work. She had the courage to report it, but instead of the rapist being punished, Delphine was forced to live with him as his wife. She took care of his children from a previous relationship, managed the house, and eventually bore him more children. Through this relationship, she also contracted HIV. As I heard more and more of the horrific details, it was very obvious why she seemed so hopeless.
 
And yet in the years since, through the support of the other women in the group and with the involvement of Rwanda YFC, Delphine has rediscovered her God-given beauty. She laughs, smiles, dances, and is hopeful. She even expresses hope for her husband - the same man who raped her, forced her to serve him, and infected her with HIV. She reports that she is able to pray for him now, and that as she’s prayed for him she’s witnessed his heart softening. In the midst of a completely unjust situation, that is Grace.
 
I am honoured and extremely humbled to have been a small part of Delphine’s story through The Elevation Project partnership with Rwanda YFC. The group of women that Delphine is a part of is called the Blessed Ones, but truly, those of us who are able to get to know these ladies are blessed, as well.”
 
I’m heading back to Rwanda in less than a month, and I wanted to re-write this story that was published on The Elevation Project blog (elevationproject.tumblr.com) so that you will understand why I’m so excited to be going back. This has been a life-altering program for these women and it’s grown in ways that no one anticipated. Because of this, Rwanda YFC has invited me in to their strategic planning for 2014. So, not only will I have the opportunity to have more chance “run-ins” with Delphine and the other Blessed Ones, but I’m also going to be spending a significant portion of my time really delving into the depths of Rwanda YFC’s work with women - working to make it more effective and sustainable so that we can continue to see women like Delphine find hope, community, and love.

Opportunities

At The Elevation Project, we just finished working through all our plans and budgeting for the 2013-14 year. We are excited for all of the things we have planned this year, including the exciting opportunity I mentioned above regarding the women’s program.
We’ve also been looking at new funding models to support The Elevation Project and we need your help!

The Elevation Project is looking for 10 Silver Donors ($20/mo)
& 10 Gold Donors ($50 - $100/mo)

Would you consider becoming either a Silver or Gold Donor?

Many of you who are reading this already support my work with The Elevation Project. Without you, The Elevation Project wouldn’t be possible and I’m sincerely grateful for your support. Would you consider suggesting The EP to someone else?

Monthly giving is convenient, easy to set up, and it makes planning for the future easier for all of us at The Elevation Project and Youth Unlimited.

If you are interested in making a donation - either one-time or monthly - click here to give online or here to download a giving form to mail to Youth Unlimited, 115-12975 84th Ave, Surrey BC  V3W 1B3.

With your help, we are looking forward to hearing more stories of hope, just like Delphine’s!

Thanks for all you do to make my work and the work of The Elevation Project possible!

Prayer Points

• Liz, The EP Intern, arrived safe in Rwanda! Continue to pray for her as she serves.
• I raised $8300 of my $10 000 Challenge - thanks for your support!
• Pray for my time in Rwanda, October 4 - December 17.
• Praise with us at the continued healing of Marina Mugarura, the National Director of RYFC’s wife)

 Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr!

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If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE. 

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Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. 
~ Mother Teresa

Laura's Letter, Summer 2013

To Rwanda and Back Again!
I left for Rwanda in a flurry on May 1st and returned back to Canada on June 17th. Every trip is so different, and yet there are a few common themes that thread their way through all of them. Here’s a bit of a run-down!

Fulfilling Work

I don’t take for granted the fact that I get to be a part of some really amazing things in my day-to-day work while I’m in Rwanda. Things like delivering letters from Canadian sponsors to students in Rwanda and collecting letters to bring back with me; meeting with the wonderful ladies that are learning much more than just sewing skills in the sewing school; or connecting with other organizations or individuals who are willing to share their knowledge and experience. My work in Rwanda is incredibly fulfilling.

 Adventures (& Laughter)  
Whether it’s an accidental detour to the Ugandan border (twice...) on the way to other destinations (that are not in Uganda), or being regaled with tales about the cobras that had taken up residence on the property, life in Rwanda is an adventure (with a lot of laughs!) in a way that it is not in Canada.

Friends
I am blessed with some amazing friends & colleagues in Rwanda and they truly are one of the biggest highlights of my time there.

The EP Internship: A Blast from the Past!
In about 2006/07, while doing youth work in Langley, I met a spunky teenager named Liz Chan. After getting off to a bit of a rocky start - her spunky-ness kind of got the best of her on her first night as a student volunteer! - she and I developed a wonderful relationship as we began to meet periodically for informal mentoring. She applied to be on our first youth trip to Rwanda in 2008, but was devastated to find out she was just a bit too young. When our second trip came around, there was no question about her involvement and she travelled with us to Rwanda in 2010.
Since then, she has remained connected to both myself and The EP’s work in Rwanda while studying at Simon Fraser University. Earlier this year, when she began exploring the possibility of interning with The EP in Rwanda, not only was I excited to have the extra help, I felt extremely blessed that the help would come from a former youth that I’ve tracked with for over 6 years now! As well, the staff member here in Vancouver who will be helping me provide Liz with accountability and support is one of the original Lifeteams students that I co-supervised during her youth work practicum in Langley at the Art: After School program in 2006/07. I feel proud to have been a small part of these wonderful ladies’ lives, and I look forward to continuing this part of the journey with them.

 Funding Update
 I’m still hoping to raise an additional $10 000 by the end of August in order to see some of the plans we’ve been hatching at The EP come true. To date, I’ve raised approximately $5300 combined for The EP (general project support) and money that goes directly to support my work with the program! We are more than halfway there!
 

**I'd love it if you'd consider giving $25, $50, or $100 a month to support my work with The Elevation Project**

Monthly giving is convenient, easy to set up, and it makes planning for the future easier for all of us at The Elevation Project and Youth Unlimited. If you are interested in making a donation, click here to visit Youth Unlimited's online donation page, or click here to download a donation form.

Thanks for all you do to make my work and the work of The Elevation Project possible!

Prayer Points

• For a continued good time of rejuvenating and strategizing over the summer
• That I could meet my fund raising goal of $10 000 and gain a few more monthly donors
• For Liz, who will be serving with us September-December
• Praise with us at the continued healing of Marina Mugarura, the National Director of RYFC’s wife)

 Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr - we'll be posting, tweeting and blogging while we are in Rwanda!

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If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Laura's Letter, April Update

So many exciting things to tell you about!

Elevater Music:  We're busy planning an event - Elevater Music - for April 28th and we're super excited about it! It's going to be a fun night of eclectic live music in support of our work with Rwanda YFC. We've had a great time collaborating with some awesome partners on this, including our friends at Calabash Bistro, and many great local musicians. We'd love to have you come and join us! There's more information on our Facebook Event Page, and if you live in the Vancouver area and want to check it out, tickets can be purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets.

Invitation to Elevation:  We (Christa, The EP Program Assistant, and myself) are so happy to be travelling with a faithful partner in our work with The Elevation Project at the beginning of May. The three of us will jump on a plane headed to Rwanda on May 1st - yes, just 3 days after our spectacular event - to visit our Rwandan colleagues and friends, and give our Canadian partner an opportunity to see what she's been a part of. We're looking forward to this being the first of many Invitation to Elevation trips for some of our wonderful key partners. I'll be staying on in Rwanda until June 15th, and I'm super excited to be able to plot, plan, and dream for the future with my Rwandan colleagues. 

Funding Update: Last, but not least, I mentioned in my last letter the $10 000 challenge I'd set for myself. We've got big plans at The Elevation Project, and I need your help to make them a reality. I'm hoping to raise an additional $10 000 by the end of August in order to see some of the plans we've been hatching at The EP come true. We want to expand our work with youth, both here and in Rwanda. The EP really is a team effort, and that team is comprised of staff and volunteers in Canada and Rwanda, Canadian and Rwanda youth and young people, and generous supporters, like yourself.
**As a special incentive, if you've never given before, Youth Unlimited will match donations from new donors up to $500 until the end of May!**

If you are interested in making a donation, click here to visit Youth Unlimited's online donation page, or click here to download a donation form.

Prayer Points

• For our fundraising event, Elevater Music, on April 28th
• For our time in Rwanda, beginning May 1
• For the $10 000 Challenge
• For our intern who will be serving with us from September-December (more info in the next update!)

 Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr - we'll be posting, tweeting and blogging while we are in Rwanda!

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If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Laura's Letter, Winter 2013

A new year, a new adventure...

This work is an adventure, and a new year brings a whole new set of opportunities!
For the last year, outside of my work with The Elevation Project, I’ve been working on a temporary contract for 12 hours of my week doing grant writing for various programs at Youth Unlimited (YU). This contract is coming to an end in the next few months, and this opens up all sorts of opportunities for me to explore in my work with The Elevation Project!
 
I’m really excited about these new avenues. Things such as greater involvement and collaboration with other Christian relief and development organizations across Canada. I’m also looking forward to working with my fellow staff members as they mentor teens in poverty and justice issues. Lastly, there will be more opportunities to share my experience with other youth and organizations across Canada.
 
It’s a great time of expansion and I look forward to seeing how The Elevation Project can continue to impact the lives of youth across Canada.


The $10 000 Challenge!
I’ve set a goal for myself over the next few months - to raise $10 000! This money will go towards the costs associated with my time in Rwanda this year, time that is fundamentally important for the health and direction of The Elevation Project. It will also go a long way towards covering some of the costs associated with my changing role at YU! Like everything we do at YU, none of it is possible without the partnership of those who believe in our work. It’s an exciting time for me and I’d love to have you join me in this new adventure.

Would you help me raise $10 000 before August? It’s a big goal, but together we can make it happen :)

How will we do it? Well, there are lots of options!

First, if you are the praying type, please join me in praying. This is a large amount of money, and a major transition for me - I’m going to need all the prayer I can get!

Second, you could make a special donation. Either fill in the form provided here or visit youthunlimited.com/donate.

Third, you could join The Elevation Project’s Volunteer Challenge - a program we are launching that gives volunteers the opportunity to join in our exciting work by gathering a team, setting a goal, and working together to achieve it. After that, we’d love to celebrate with you!

I’ll keep you up to date with my progress, and hopefully by August, we’ll all have something to celebrate!

** If you are interested in helping out with 
The $10 000 Challenge, please 
click here for a giving form, or here to give online. **

Prayer Points

• Please continue to pray for a Canadian team member and a Rwandan colleague who both have close family members fighting cancer.
• Pray for The EP's Volunteer Challenge, which is kicking off this month.
• For our fundraising event that we are planning for April.
• For our trip to Rwanda that is planned for May.
• And for continued direction as we move into an exciting season with The EP.

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If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Laura's Letter, Winter 2012/13

Elevation Project Update 

As I look back at 2012, I’m amazed at how much has changed! I started this year having just decided to formally return to Youth Unlimited to manage The Elevation Project, and have ended the year as Director of The Elevation Project. I had no idea what a big change this transition would be! It’s brought huge challenges— chairing intercontinental Skype conference calls, having more knowledge of the deep challenges and hurts faced by both my Rwandan and Canadian friends and colleagues, and being responsible for backing up my ideas with the needed funding. It has also brought so much joy— working with an wonderful team of Canadians and Rwandans, meeting and learning from incredible people, and having the opportunity to share my small bit of knowledge with people who are eager to be a part of God’s healing work in this broken world.
 
More and more, I am excited and profoundly humbled to be a part of Youth Unlimited and The Elevation Project. You can read more about the specifics of what The Elevation Project is up to in the first edition of The Elevation Project Update by clicking here to download it, but I’d like to share with you one of the reasons I’m honoured to do the work that I do— I get to know some of the most amazing people! Like Blaise, a Rwandan young person that studied at Rwanda Youth for Christ in 2012, and who we worked with this summer when we travelled to Rwanda.

One of my favourite photos from our time in Rwanda of Blaise with some of the other 2012 trip participants playing a game.

Blaise is an orphan. His immediate family was killed in the genocide when he was a small boy, and the various neighbors and relatives that took him in afterwards have all, one by one, died as well. Blaise has faced so many challenges. The kind of challenges that would cause many of us to become hardened and bitter and to throw up our hands in disgust at life, and yet he is still one of the brightest, shiniest people I know! You know the kind of person I mean— someone who is able to light up a room with their smile and bring joy to almost any situation by saying a sincere, encouraging word.
 
When Blaise found out that someone from Vancouver was going to be visiting Kigali, he decided that he was going to write individualized greeting cards, in English (not his mother tongue!) for every single person from our 2012 trip team, and send them back to Vancouver with the visitor. Not only were we blessed to be able to work with Blaise this summer, but he continues to encourage us from the other side of the globe!
 
If it wasn’t for the work I do with The Elevation Project, I wouldn’t have met Blaise, and he is just one example of the many inspiring people, both Rwandan and Canadian, that I get to rub shoulders with on a regular basis. What a blessing!
 
Thank you for being a part of making The Elevation Project possible. I hope that by reading my updates, it becomes a blessing in your life as well!
 
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and all of God’s best for 2013.

** If you are interested in Year End Giving,
please click here for a giving form, or here to give online. **

Prayer Points

• For a Canadian team member and a Rwandan colleague who both have close family members fighting cancer.
• Pray that we can match up all the students on the sponsorship program with sponsors in 2013.
• For good dreams, plans, and wisdom as I Direct The Elevation Project into another year of growth & change.

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If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Laura's Letter, Fall 2012

Elevation Project Update 

The Vision of the Elevation Project is to see transformation in the lives of young Canadians and Rwandans as they grow in understanding God’s heart for His people, offering His hope for a full and abundant life. We do this by building relationships and working together to address all forms of poverty - spiritual, material, and relational. Everything we do is guided by this Vision, as we hope to be a part of God’s healing work in our world. 

This summer when we brought together a group of 47 young people (35 Rwandan, 12 Canadian) and 12 leaders (8 Canadian, 2 Rwandan, 2 American) as a part of the Elevation Project 2012 Trip, we were excited to see how God would use our time. Have a look at the following photos and quotes from some of the trip participants to get a glimpse of the transformation that being a part of the Elevation Project can bring. 

(people in the photos do not necessarily correspond to those featured in the quotes)

Not only has the Elevation Project give me new insight on the world, but I’ve grown to see that God’s heart extends further than I’ll ever be able to grasp.
~ Ros
Canadian Young Person

About God I said, “You are awesome!” God has a wonderful plan for us and His greatness in joining us with the [Canadian] team.
~ Robert
Rwandan Young Person

 

Personally, God has used the Elevation Project as a catalyst to change my paradigm in the youth work I do.... I believe that I now have a more Godly, holistic understanding of poverty [and] Shalom and how it affects every aspect of my work.
~ Dennis
Canadian Youth Worker

There is no "other," there is just us.

~ 2012 Rwanda Trip motto

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A big thank you to Charlotte Browning for all the great 2012 Trip photos! 
Click here to see more.

Elevation Project = Relationship

The name Elevation Project can be a little misleading, because what we do is not really a “project,” but a relationship. Greater Vancouver Youth Unlimited began an ongoing relationship with Rwanda Youth for Christ in 2007. We were transformed by this relationship and so we’ve invited more people into it through things like the sponsorship program, supporting the women’s program, and participating in trips. As you can tell by the quotes and photos in this letter, great things are happening in the lives of those involved in this relationship we call the Elevation Project. It’s exciting stuff! 

None of this can happen without the partnership of people like you, and as you contribute to our work together at the Elevation Project, you too become part of this relationship. It is my hope that as you read about the difference your support is making in the lives of young Canadians and Rwandans, that the Elevation Project becomes a catalyst for transformation in your own life, as well.

Thank you for all you do to make a difference in my life and in the lives of those I work with!   

** If you are interested in becoming part of my support network, either prayerfully, financially, or by volunteering, please click here to see what my Current Needs are in these areas. **

Prayer Points

• That the transformation that occurred in the lives of our 2012 trip participants would continue
• Pray that all 24 of our unsponsored students at KCS (4 current, 20 new 2013 admissions) would have sponsors by January)
• Favour, as I seek to communicate the heart of what Youth Unlimited does to potential donors & foundations in my role as Grant Writer
• Wisdom as I direct of the Elevation Project

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If you want to financially support the Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Trip Blog!

Our summer trip is just a week away and I'm super excited! We will be keeping a trip blog where you can follow along with our adventures. Check it out at http://elevate-rwanda-blog.tumblr.com/http://elevate-rwanda-blog.tumblr.com/

Laura's Letter's, Spring/Summer 2012

Elevation Project Update

There’s lots to update you on, so let’s get started!  

Trips:
Our trip in March was very busy, but very good! We were able to reconnect with friends and colleagues, get up to speed on all of the projects that we work together on, and dream for the future.

July 17th, the day that 20 of us (12 students & 8 leaders) travel to Rwanda, is quickly creeping up on us! During our time in Kigali, we will be working closely with RYFC’s School of Leadership and Discipleship as they lead a camp for primary school students. We are super excited to be able to facilitate this opportunity for Canadian and Rwandan young people to work together and look forward to seeing lives transformed!
 
Student Sponsorships:
I had a great time working together with my colleagues while in Rwanda – we’ve developed a system that makes communicating between continents a bit easier, but nothing beats actually sitting together and getting into all the ins and outs of our work. We smoothed out some glitches and had a great time planning for the future.
We still need 7 sponsors in order to cover all the students on the program, so if you are interested, please consider supporting our work in this way. You can contact me for information, or click here to download a sponsorship brochure and send it to the address shown.
 
Food for Thought:
As I mentioned in my last letter, most of the costs for this program, which ensures a daily nutritious meal to every student at Kigali Christian School, are covered by school fees and sponsorship. We are working hard to find sponsors for the 5 unsponsored students so that the lunch program is better supported, but in the meantime Vancouver Youth Unlimited is covering the deficit. As soon as we find those 5 sponsors, that money can be used to support some of the schools other needs!
 
Women’s Program:
It was wonderful to visit with our friends at the Women’s Program at RYFC! We had a great time of sharing and celebrating together. We also had a glimpse of the sewing school and it looks amazing! The women are learning valuable skills and they get the opportunity to form a cooperative at the completion of the program, which could lead to a steady source of income for many of them.

In Other News

Big Changes!
Some of you may know already that Andy Harrington is moving on from Vancouver Youth Unlimited and into the position of CEO at the Wellspring Foundation for Education. This is an exciting move for him, and it means big changes for me as Andy has played a huge role in my work with Youth Unlimited and the Elevation Project, in particular. His supervision, direction, and collaboration has been absolutely indispensable and will be greatly missed. Fortunately, Andy will still be in the area, and his work is focused on education in Rwanda, so there will surely be opportunities for collaboration in the future!
 
This change also means that I will be taking on direction of the Elevation Project in September. Please pray for wisdom as I look forward to taking on this responsibility.

Looking Forward

When I take the time to look forward, I’m amazed (and a bit overwhelmed!) by all that’s on the horizon. I’m looking forward to ongoing partnership and growth as we further explore young leadership development with Rwanda YFC & GVYU; we are looking at new ways to work together in job-skills training programs; and I’m excited about giving more opportunities for Canadian & Rwandan young people to work together in life-changing ways — and none of this is possible without the support of people, like you! Thank you for all you do to make a difference in my life and in the lives of those I work with!

If you’d like to financially support my work with the Elevation Project - either with a one-time gift towards a trip or a monthly donation – click here to download and print the form, then just fill it in and mail it to the address shown. You can also give online by going to my profile at 
www.youthunlimited.com and following the instructions there.

Thank you for all you do to make a difference in my life and in the lives of those I work with! 

Prayer Points

• That we would find sponsors for the remaining 5 students
• Favour as I seek to communicate the heart of what Youth Unlimited does to potential foundations and donors in my role as Grant Writer
• Our summer trip team as we invite them into the Elevation Project
• Good communication with our Rwandan colleagues
• Wisdom as I look forward to taking on the role of Director of the Elevation Project

_________________________________________________________

If you want to financially support the Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Laura's Letter, Winter 2012

Elevation Project Update

The last few months have been very busy for the Elevation Project! 

In January, a core group of leaders met and developed vision and mission statements, as well as a list of core  values. It was a great day of prayer, reflecting on our work, and dreaming for the future. 




Student Sponsorships: 
Our student sponsorship program has grown to 150 kids, 139 of whom have been matched with Canadian sponsors. It’s been so exciting to see the photos of the new students coming into the program at Kigali Christian School, and I can’t wait to meet them. 

We still need 11 sponsors in order to cover all students on the program, so if you are interested, please consider supporting our work in this way.

Food for Thought: 
The students are back at school and the cooks are working hard to provide them with a nutritious daily meal. Most of the costs for this program are covered by school fees, but there is currently a deficit due to the lack of sponsors for all the students on the program. While we continue to look for the 11 remaining sponsors, Vancouver Youth Unlimited has pledged to cover this deficit. The sooner we find those 11 sponsors, the better as that money could then be used in other ways!

Women’s Program:
Updates from our Rwanda colleagues have let us know that the women in the sewing school are progressing well – well enough to offer to make me a skirt when I visit in March! I’m looking forward to it, for sure!
Other groups on the compound are also learning valuable skills, like soap-making, tie dying, and event decorating. They also continue to meet for Bible–based hope training and support groups.

Trips:
In January, we selected the team for our summer trip to Rwanda. I can truly say that I feel that the team has been put together by God. I’m so excited to be working with them and getting to know them as we journey together.
I’ll also be travelling to Rwanda in March with a small group of Youth Unlimited staff. This trip will be important for us as we work on aligning ourselves with our Rwandan colleagues in the particulars of our work together. It’s also an extremely valuable relational time, building a strong foundation for us to work from.

In Other News

Grant Development:
I’ve recently taken on a new aspect of work – Grant Development – which means that I am now employed full-time with Youth Unlimited. It also means that I’m going through a huge learning curve as I learn the ins and outs of fundraising from a grant development perspective! 

Please pray for me as I begin to cultivate relationships with various foundations. That I would be able to communicate the heart of what my colleagues do and connect them with funders who share their vision.

Published:
A paper I worked on while living in Rwanda has been accepted for publication in a national undergraduate journal! Check out www.undercurrentjournal.ca for more information. 

My work is scheduled to appear in the Fall/Winter 2012 edition.

On Air:
I also recently did an interview for Fuel Radio – a new and challenging experience! You can listen to the podcast online at www.fuelradio.com.

Going to Rwanda!!

I’m excited to be travelling to Rwanda twice this year. These trips are such a vital time for us to build our relationships and work more closely together with our Rwandan colleagues. The Elevation Project is, at its heart, a relationship, and these times together are integral to this relationship.

While I am still looking to raise monthly support – I need another $1000/month to be completely self-sustained – I’d like to ask you to consider supporting this fundamental element of my job by making a special donation to help cover travel costs. 

If you’d like to support my work with the Elevation Project - either with a one-time gift towards a trip or a monthly donation – click here to download and print the form, then just fill it in and mail it to the address shown. You can also give online by going to my profile at 
www.youthunlimited.com and following the instructions there.

Thank you for all you do to make a difference in my life and in the lives of those I work with! 

Prayer Points

• That we would find sponsors for the remaining 11 students
• A safe and fruitful trip in March
• Our summer trip team as we invite them into the Elevation Project
• Good communication with our Rwandan colleagues
• The necessary finance for my expanded role at Youth Unlimited

_________________________________________________________

If you want to financially support the Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE.
 

Elevation Project Update, Fall/Winter 2011

The Big News!
You may remember that I included a memo in my last letter regarding Youth Unlimited’s desire to hire a manager for the Elevation Project. After finishing my degree this spring and working on a contract basis with Youth Unlimited since, I’ve decided to take on the project manager role.
 
I’m very excited about this new position, which will allow me to combine my passion for international development and youth work, my education, and my experience with YFC both in Canada and in Rwanda.
 
I will be coordinating the current projects that we partner with Rwanda YFC on. These include student sponsorships, a school lunch program, a program for HIV/AIDS affected women in Rwanda, and transformation and learning trips for youth and young adults. As well, I will be looking to build on the existing partnership by exploring further ways that we can work together with our friends in Rwanda.

Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated as I take on this new and exciting challenge!

Elevation Update 
Here is a brief look at some of the exciting things that have been going on with the Rwanda YFC and the Elevation Project.

Student Sponsorships:
We currently have sponsors for all 122 students involved in the Elevation sponsorship program! This is exciting news as student sponsorship goes a long way to help Kigali Christian School (KCS) cover the costs of providing high quality education to students from all backgrounds. It also means that KCS is able to admit more students for sponsorship in the new year, providing even more kids with opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have.

Food for Thought:

KCS provides lunch to every one of its 600+ students each day. The lunch program not only ensures at least one nutritious meal a day for the students, it has also allowed KCS to offer a schedule that is more conducive to additional  time and activities.

Women’s Program: 
 The Elevation Project has partnered with Rwanda YFC’s women’s program. For the past few years, Rwanda YFC has employed HIV/AIDS affected women on their property. This employment has provided the women with a source of income, as well as access to counselling, support and job-skills training. Recently, the Elevation Project has supported Rwanda YFC in their efforts to start a tailoring school for these women.

Trips:Time together is important in any relationship, and the Elevation Project is a relationship. As such, we try to spend time with our Rwandan friends when we can to build our relationship and more effectively work together. In the past year, myself and other Greater Vancouver staff have travelled to Rwanda, and some of our Rwandan friends have been able to visit us here in Canada. We are also planning a few trips in the new year, including a short visit in early spring, and a larger team trip in the summer.
 
Currently, those four projects are what we are most involved in with Rwanda YFC. One of the first things I’m working on is developing a Mission, Vision and Values statement. I believe this is an important step in refining our current work, as well as setting the trajectory for further development of the Elevation Project.
 
Stay tuned for further updates as I begin to really jump into this exciting work!

Partnering with the Elevation Project
This is an exciting project to be a part of. If you’d like to get involved there are lots of ways that we can make that happen! If you are particularly interested in any of the things we are currently involved in - Sponsorships, Food for Thought, Women’s Program & Trips - send me an email and I’ll give you more information on how you can support that work.
 
I am also looking to raise some monthly support. Please click here to read a special letter from YFC’s Executive Director for more details on my role and the financial needs associated with it.
 
If you’d like to support my work with the Elevation Project, click here to download a giving form, fill it in, and mail it to the address shown. You can also give online by going to my profile at www.youthunlimited.com and following the instructions there.

Prayer Points

• Direction as we are in the midst of developing a Mission, Vision & Values Statement for the Elevation Project
• Good communication with our Rwandan partners
• The necessary finance for my role as Project Manager

_________________________________________________________

If you want to financially support the Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE.