The Backstory

This summer I have volunteered to journey back to Africa from July 16-27 to help run a one-week camp that will act as a pilot for the Hope Shines Foundation mentoring program for girls aged 3 to 12. (A soccer camp will be run for the boys during the same time so they don't feel left out.) This experience will not only mean a lot to the children there, but will also teach the program about the needs of the girls. I decided to keep a blog while I'm here because I wanted to share this amazing experience with all the amazing people that have helped support me.

Speaking of which, I have great news: I had sent out a sponsorship request months ago and have received a phenomenal response! Checks are still coming in and I'm hoping that I will near my financial fundraising goal to fund this trip! Thank you all so much!! If you or anyone you know is still thinking of sending a donation, it's not too late! My contact information is:

Deana Jirak
232 Hudson St., Apt. 3E
Hoboken, NJ 07030


Now on to the story of how I got here:

As many of you know, last summer I was fortunate enough to go to Rwanda to meet the women employed and empowered by the Path to Peace Project run through macys.com, where I work. One of the things I enjoyed the most in Rwanda was giving the gifts I had brought for the orphans at The Rebero Orphanage and Bakery that we visited there. This summer, I have returned to Rwanda, but with a very different mission.

My roommate on my Rwanda trip last year was struck by how the orphan girls have few women figures in their lives. (The orphanage is run by men and the only women around are the widows that were mentally and/or physically handicapped by the genocide that the orphanage also cares for.) Accordingly, these girls latched on to us on our visit and that memory stuck with us long after we returned to the states. She wanted to do something to help these girls. Emptying her savings account and sacrificing the little free time she has, she founded The Hope Shines Foundation. Its main goal is to produce an environment that fosters healthy relationships between these girls and mentors.


And that's how it all began.