Thanks for sharing your story with us Matthew. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In June of 2012, I took time off from my production company and with my friend Nichols St. Louis, traveled to Rwanda to volunteer at the Noel Orphanage in Gysenyi. The trip’s impact on my life cannot be easily explained. Nearly 600 children were living in the orphanage and though the facility is run by some truly caring people they are tremendously understaffed and lacking in access to food, clothing and education. Surprisingly the spirit of these children is off the charts.

Most people know of Rwanda because of the 1994 genocide and so I think they would be surprised to hear that the country has done a remarkable job of healing its wounds and turning towards the future with a surprising measure of optimism. The government has moved to eliminate the labels associated with a tribal identity and successfully rallied the country under the unifying Rwandan banner. MORE...