We are so happy to be able to share some wonderful news – our POWIR family, Emile and Rosine Rwamuhinda and their children, are now settled in their new apartment in Revere! As you will recall, the family arrived in Boston on March 18, and have been staying in temporary housing in Quincy while we worked with Catholic Charities Boston to secure permanent housing. Late last week, we received word that an apartment would become available on Monday, March 30 – and that the family would need to move in on Tuesday, March 31. This seemed like an impossible task, both due to the time constraints and the fact that we would have to severely limit the number of people who could be present at any time, given the current social distancing guidelines and restrictions on groups. But once again, the seemingly impossible became possible, this time thanks to the incredible generosity and support of Bill Logan, of McCabe and Logan Moving and Storage.
Bill provided us with a moving truck and two movers for first thing Monday morning, which made it all possible. The movers loaded up the truck with all of your wonderful donations that had been stored in the parish halls, delivered them to the apartment, and even assembled the bunk beds and other large furniture. Then a small 3-person team got to work cleaning, unpacking, and setting up the apartment, each working in a separate room. By the end of the day, the apartment was fully furnished and stocked with your wonderful donations and ready for the family to arrive the next day!
The family were transported by Uber from their temporary location in Quincy, while our Collaborative volunteer brought their few belongings up to their new home. When the family arrived at the beautifully furnished apartment, located right across from a gorgeous elementary school and park, they were overjoyed, and overwhelmed. Tours were given of the master, boys and girls rooms. Mom was overjoyed at having her first-ever kitchen, fully stocked with anything she could ever need to cook for her family. The teenage girls loved their private room at the back of the apartment with great ‘hang out space’.
While we are so happy and relieved that the family is now settled in their new home, our support does not end here. We will continue to provide assistance and stability during these very uncertain times, and when things return to normal, we will support them in transitioning into their new lives. We will be helping to find schools for their beautiful children and employment for Emile and Rosine. We will be walking with them every step of their journey, and we will continue to need your help.
There are no words to thank each and every person who has made this happen, but the pictures above perhaps says it all – the Rwamuhinda Family in their new home!