Zeebee was created when I realized that I can make a difference. I designed and made my daughter Mia’s bedroom in a zebra theme because she loves zebras. She immediately nicknamed it “Zeebee!” Her innocence and excitement at having something uniquely hers ignited a spark in me. Since then I decided to design and create purses. I hope that you enjoy your custom made item. Each item is carefully crafted as though I would use it. Each is handmade in my smoke free, pet free home. 100% of the profits from the sale of these items goes towards purchasing any necessary items to help in the lives of these Rwandans. Thank you so much for your purchase! May God enrich your life.
A few Stories of Rwanda and the projects I support:
In September 2010 I traveled to Rwanda, Africa and met people who are struggling to rebuild their lives after the Genocide in 1994. The Genocide was during a span of 100 days that more than 800,000 people were butchered because of their ethnic background. In any western country we have no concept of the struggles people all over the world go through each day and how grateful they are to receive an education and something to eat and drink for the day. We have so much to learn about life, love and gratefulness from them.
When I was in Kigali, Rwanda I worked in an orphanage for disabled children called "Nos Amis de Gahanga" Our Friends of Gahanga. I worked along side the caregivers of the orphanage to help serve the children there. I taught a seminar about proper wheelchair positioning and evaluated approximately 10 children in the three days I was there - a great feat in Africa. I guided the physical therapist there with the hopes of continuing our communication despite our physical distance. During our time there, we had a local carpenter make a physical therapy table and purchased some mats in Rwanda in order for the children to have a place where they are able to perform their exercises. We provided specialized medical equipment for the children including therapy balls, a swing, a sliding board, therabands, physical therapy measuring tools, wheelchairs, specialized seat cushions as well as equipment we take for granted such as a blood pressure cuff and thermometer. We also were able to arrange for a child to see the only neurologist in Rwanda due to a case of hydrocephalus. He received a CT scan and a follow up visit. My prayers are still with him.
During our trip to the northwestern region of Rwanda (Gisenyi) we visited a community center called Ubemwe (Kinyarwanda for "Unity"). This region was especially devestated after the Genocide since the killings did not stop until 1998 due to the close proximity to the border of the Congo. I made three house calls to children with disabilities one of whose name is Ngabo. He is a young man of 16 who had never walked. He made his way around by scooting in the dirt on his bottom. Since there are no showers or means of cleaning, Ngabo was constantly covered with dirt. Inside this crippled body is a young man who is so eager to learn and see the world. Since he lived at the top of a mountain, we had to hike to reach him, reluctantly leaving our van and driver behind. Ngabo was very disappointed since he wanted to see and ride in our van and constantly asked us where the car was located! Ngabo has a smile that literally reaches from ear to ear and just stared at us as we were the first white people he had ever seen. His face lit up a room. While we were in his home made of mud walls and two rooms with only a few chairs for furniture, we talked about his physical disability. He demonstrated for us how he gets in and out of his wheelchair (made of a sturdy plastic lawn chair and two bicycle wheels) which was broken for about a year. By the way that he performed this transition from the ground to getting into his wheelchair, I knew someday he could stand and maybe someday he would walk. Not all was lost with him. We taught him some stretches for his legs and had his wheelchair fixed. Since we have returned from Rwanda, we have learned that the Ubemwe Community Center is now picking him up to take him to the center 6 days a week. I have not yet learned how the community was able to physically get him down close enough each day for the van to pick him up! It is in the center that he can socialize with other children and adults with and without disabilities and receive an education. Ngabo is learning how to make crafts to sell in the market in order to support himself and is learning to read and write. All because of the work from this center which was a donation from the Ohio Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio. This is a boy who had no hope of surviving on his own in this world. Now Ngabo has felt a renewed sense of self worth from your purchase. Currently there are 3 children total who have been found isolated and abandoned in their homes in the region of Gisenyi and are brought to Ubemwe for education, socialization and learning a craft.
I have continued to follow-up via email with a Rwandan organization called Mercy Ministries with regards to the progress and needs of this community. I will return to Rwanda some day to see God's children. All of the progress that has been made and continues to be made in both the orphanage and in Gisenyi was only possible because of your support in purchasing my items. Thank you!!
Bonnie Eckerman, a resident of Chester, NH, received her masters degree in physical therapy from Simmons College, Boston, MA in 1999 and went on to receive her doctorate from Simmons in 2007. While at Simmons, Bonnie spent a year in Strasbourg, France studying the French language which proved very helpful in Rwanda.
