In 2011, I wrote a blog post titled, simply, “Yes.” I had recently stumbled into an opportunity and had impulsively said ‘yes’ to follow my heart, and what I believe was God, and to move to Rwanda. I was overwhelmingly naïve; I had grand, idealistic ideas about what my time and experiences would look like, but far less plans about what I actually hoped to accomplish. What I didn’t know then was just how many more opportunities I would be given to offer up one small yes after another, and just how grand His plans were for this journey we were embarking on.

That summer, I moved into the Noel Orphanage, in Gisenyi, Rwanda, home to 600+ children ranging in age from a few weeks to their late 20’s. My ‘No-Plan’ game was strong. I spent my days holding babies, facilitating art classes, and watching Justin Bieber's Never Say Never on a constant loop. Six months in, with a growing list of areas I thought maybe I could offer some help, I decided to zero in on two: the oldest girls at Noel and the school lunch program (or lack thereof) in our community.

FAITH TO BELIEVE

In March 2012, on a whim and a prayer, No.41 was born. The name came out of a quote, “Do for one what you wish you could do for all.” In theory, the ladies would be earning a fair wage sewing bags and selling them, mostly in the US, and using the profits to feed students at a local school. The idea was: For one child. For one meal. For one year. For just $75, a young woman would earn a sustainable income and sow back into her community by providing a child with a hot, healthy lunch every day at school.  

GRACE TO EVOLVE

No.41 was started out of smallness, out of a willingness to be used, and a desire to see change as a community. Over the years, No.41 has employed more than 40 full-time artisans, along with 15 additional full-time employees, in various capacities, and for 5 years fed 1,200 students and teachers, from their own community, every day. Out of our original artisan group of 32 women, all moved themselves out of the orphanage and 17 graduated from university in 2017. In the same year, after prayerful consideration, the leadership of No.41 along with school leadership and the parents committee, decided that it was time to close our school feeding program. You can read more here. As the ladies continue to expand their skills and their product lines, No.41 is committed to community involvement and we are excited and expectant to see what unfolds next.

All that has transpired at No.41 is beyond my wildest dreams. I never believed this couldn’t happen, but I never imagined it would happen like this. Marianne Williamson said, "As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." and I would say that's exactly what is happening in our little tiny village, in a little tiny country, all the way on the other side of the world. Some of the brightest lights I've ever had the privilege of knowing, are learning what it means to shine and fire is spreading.

xo- Tara