On New Year’s day, I had the privilege of joining a dear friend and his wife to visit and deliver care packages to 25 families in the children’s ward at CHUK in Rwanda. It was exactly what the heart and mind doctor ordered to start the year right.

A kind nurse, welcomed us and graciously accepted to be our guide, on what can’t be an easy task, picking who gets the care package and who doesn’t. It broke my heart that we couldn’t serve everyone on that day.

One patient spoke to our hearts most, a 9 year old boy, who was being taken care of by his 16 year old brother. They had been there since November and since family hadn’t paid for mutuelle (national insurance), their bill had ballooned to over RwF2.6 million. Their mother had been taking care of him but she too fell sick and was now admitted at Kabgayi hospital. Although, he’d been transferred to Kabgayi to continue treatment, they couldn’t leave until some arrangement was made to settle the bill.

Fact is the income of their parents is too meager to ever have a shot at paying the bill. The 16 year old had attempted to negotiate for Rwf1000 per month, but this was obviously rejected. He then raised it to 10,000 and they were now allowed to go. But, I know good and well it will take a miracle for them to get this money. Many of us, starting with me, spend RwF10,000 on a meal or something I only want, not need, and here’s family that has a long shot at getting this money, I digress. Nonetheless, they were now waiting for an ambulance to take them to Kabgayi Hospital to be reunited with mum and be closer to home. It broke my heart that they missed Christmas and the beloved “Bonane” with family. We paid the bill down significantly and hoped others would do the same. If you find it in your heart to help, reach out to me and I’ll get the details to help us clear this bill and many others.

Several things challenged me that day, thinking how many were in the same situation and how the can community help.

1. Thought about how much money I’ve spent traveling places for holidays, when I could cheer up brothers, sisters and our children in hospitals.
2. Thought about money I waste on things I don’t need sometimes, when brothers and sisters in the community don’t have health insurance. One outing could pay health insurance for a few families so they don’t accumulate enormous bills when emergencies arise! I thought about all the good we can do by putting some of the money we spend on wants verses needs, toward cheering up and helping our sick.
3. I imagine how strong our society could be if each village of “the well to do” came together to help pay for health insurance and visit the sick once a month or quarter? Something like Umuganda for the sick.
4. I imagine how beautiful Rwanda/Africa would be if “wealthier” villages adopted villages in need of help so we can grow together?!
5. I imagine how our children would grow up with the spirit of loving and giving if private schools “adopted” sister schools with needs/resources they have in abundance?!

More thoughts and what ifs continue in my heart and mind but one thing stands out: Can we give some of the money we spend buying what we don’t need, go out and eat/drink way more than we need toward helping those in hospital, better yet preventing what gets them there in the first place?

I can only imagine how more beautiful and prosperous our communities/continent can be if we support one another, instead of waiting for government or NGO funded mostly by the generosity of people outside Africa or “tax” monies of the world’s richest.

One thing is sure, I am glad to have a new way of celebrating the festive season🙏🏾. Yes we can and should be our brothers/sisters keepers. Will you please join us in doing the same for our sick and inspiring others to do the same?