Elizabeth Johnson in Rwanda, 2014. Photo: Jordan Levine.

Summer’s coming, but the Grace Rwanda team isn’t on vacation. We’re hard at work preparing for upcoming projects and events.

First, a big thank you to everyone who voted for Elizabeth Johnson in the recent Canadian Immigrant Top 25 contest. The voting has now closed and the results will be announced June 24. We’re hoping Elizabeth wins the recognition she deserves!

We’ve been staying busy with community talks.

Elizabeth visited Heritage Woods Secondary School in Port Moody last week and gave a moving talk to students about her past in Rwanda, her recent visit, and the work of Grace Rwanda. If you’d like Elizabeth to speak at your school or community event please email her at elizabeth@gracerwanda.org. Take a look to at our newly revamped Toonies4Change.org web site to learn more about our school programs!

And Grace Rwanda will be out and about in the community this summer.

Look for us at the Walnut Grove Family Day event on Saturday, June 21. Stay tuned for details.

And please also come by and visit us at the Langley International Festival and Canada Day celebration from June 28-July 1. Check back for more information.

And if you’d like to get more involved in volunteering with the Grace Rwanda team this summer, please let us know. We’re having our end-of-fiscal-year board meeting on Sunday, June 1 in Langley from 4-6 p.m. New volunteers are always welcome! We gladly work with the skills you offer and the time you have. It’s a great way to get involved in your community and for students to earn school volunteering credits. Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@gracerwanda.org to attend.

You can get regular updates by following @GraceRwanda, liking us on Facebook, adding us in your Google+ circle, and watching our videos on YouTube.

We’ve got big plans and some big projects coming up to improve literacy in Rwanda. We know many hands make light work.

So we’re looking for volunteers to help us get the word out, to assist with community events, and to support us in reaching our fundraising goals. No heavy time commitments, no mandatory meetings, just fulfilling community work alongside people passionate about social change. Come be a part of our dream and change children’s lives.

We’re looking for volunteers in the following areas:

Students and community members: Fulfill your volunteer service school credit requirements while helping out a good cause, or just give back to your community. We’re currently looking for people to help staff our charity sale table at the St. Thomas Aquinas Christmas Craft Fair on Nov. 3. We’re also looking for volunteers to put in a few hours staffing our Christmas Tree Sale in Langley, which launches Dec. 4. and runs through the month.

Teachers and educators: Work with us to get your class involved in our Toonies4Change.org school partnership projects.

Church members: Arrange to invite us to speak about Grace Rwanda and raise awareness and funds for our work at your next church social.

Rotary club members: Introduce us to your chapter, adopt us as your international project, and help us form partnerships to bring books to Rwanda’s youth.

Special skills: If you have expertise to offer in fundraising strategy, graphic design, or another speciality area that you believe could help Grace Rwanda’s administration, please do let us know.

Contact info@gracerwanda.org and let us know what you’ve got to give back!

Stay in the loop with us by following @GraceRwanda, liking us on Facebook, adding us in your Google+ circle, watching our videos on YouTube.