PEOPLE STORIES, Part 4 - Caritas Habimana

Her presence is tall and commanding, but her voice is low and sweet. She once taught children at the French Embassy in Rwanda, but now Caritas Habimana, or “Cari,” as most people call her, is “Auntie” to the dozens of African refugee children at Granny’s House, and friend, counselor, translator, and job-finder for their parents. She speaks seven languages and every African refugee child’s teacher and principal has Cari’s number on speed dial in their phones. She plays an invaluable role in her church, Agape Fellowship, and the Granny’s House staff would be “lost” without her wisdom and insight as we continue to weave the refugee children into the fabric of Granny’s House. Caritas recently sat down with me for an interview and below, are a few excerpts from that conversation:

GP: You always have a fire going... I see it in your eyes and I see it in your smile. Cari, what lights that fire in your heart? What is the source of that fire?

CARI: I think God is with me... I’m never alone. I can feel his hands; He’s there whenever I need His help. Before I call anybody, I call God. That’s why I am so happy.

GP: But life was not always like that for you... what was it like in Rwanda, before you came to Columbia?

CARI: They killed and killed and killed... blood, bombings, machetes, and bodies. I saw it all during the war... It felt like the end of the world. There was no life after seeing children being killed... neighbors, mothers and old people. Even now, I’m asking myself, “How can I be alive?”

GP: So, what’s the answer to that? Why do you think you lived?

CARI: I don’t know the answer to that... maybe angels were carrying me. I don’t know... for me, it’s not information, it’s my relationship with God.

GP: Now I see the reason for the passion and the fire that keeps you going... You do so much for the African community... how do you do it? If you had a job title, what would it be?

CARI: I don’t know... I don’t have an office. I just have my cell phone and it’s ringing every minute...I write everything down in my agenda... My day begins at 7:45 in the morning and I have appointments all day... meetings at schools, after school programs with kids, going to the doctor with parents...

I read their to mail them; I provide transportation and interpret for them... I take all the children to their school assessments and I help discipline them... I help the parents talk to their children and teach them how important it is to show the children affection. Sometimes I have Bible study and choir at church in the evenings, and usually finish and go to bed at 11 at night. I do all this because of the love... the children’s love for me is like a vitamin that goes down into my body. And that’s good because Idon’t have time to eat (giggles).

GP: Cari, I really believe that your job is more important than the President’s... you are helping shape lives for eternity!

I could have talked to Caritas Habimana for hours, and actually wanted to. Our conversation was dotted with interruptions, again and again, as she fielded calls from kids, teachers, a friend who needed her to explain why someone had just handed them two dollars. Cari’s life is full of Life and Love and reminds me of this promise: “No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it - What God has arranged for those who love him.” -1 Corinthians 2:8, 9 (The Message Bible)

I left our meeting feeling like I had just finished reading a really good book - the kind you highlight, underline, and can’t wait to share with a friend! -Granny Pam

The G.I.R.L.S. and "WHAT NOT 2 WEAR"

When Elizabeth Anderson first asked how she could get fellow Fashion Department students and Kappa Delta Sorority members involved with Granny’s House, I immediately remembered an idea I’d had on the back burner for a very long time: a way to teach the G.I.R.L.S. Group, 3-D, how to dress appropriately for the practical side of their lives: job interviews, weddings, school functions, work-related social events etc.

“What Not 2 Wear,” and “What 2 Wear” fashion show at Granny’s House was the fruit of that brainstorming session.

If “a picture is worth a thousand words,” then seeing the seemingly endless parade of Stephen’s girls (some dressed to the nines) stride by spoke volumes to the G.I.R.L.S. group participants and their moms. The fashion show was a whole lot of fun and we all walked away knowing “What Not 2 Wear!!”

The Christmas Party - 2010

After months of planning, making lists and checking them twice, our annual Christmas Party at the Blind Boone Community Center was a big, overflowing success - “overflowing” because the numbers in attendance seemed to double from just a year ago, and the endless rows of black plastic bags stuffed with the children’s gifts from The Crossing Church flowed down the Community Center’s long hallway. From the sounds coming from the jingle bell necklace-making station, various drawings for prizes, to the serenade of our African friends, there was no doubt that this party was a whole lot of fun for everyone who attended.

What began as a way to give the kids and their parents something to do while they waited to hear their name called to receive their gifts, is now a much-anticipated event for Granny’s House families.

Many of us sort through stacks of holiday invites, trying to decide which ones get a “yes” and which ones we have to decline, but for most of our families, this is the ONLY Christmas party invitation they receive during the holiday season...

For us, it’s another opportunity to say, “You are loved... you matter to us and to God!” (1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8)

The Secret Door...

For an entire week, Granny’s House kids “Ooooooed” and “Aaaaaaaaahed” over the gift-wrapped door of our back room. Only staff and volunteers were allowed to peek and see what was inside: THE GRANNY'S HOUSE CHRISTMAS STORE.

And we wish you could have heard the buzz created by these excited shoppers once they entered that “Secret Door” adorned with the big white bow:

"I can't choose...I want to get my mom exactly what she would like!" -Consolee

"Man... I should have worked more so I could have gotten some more stuff…" -Amareon

"My teacher is going to LOVE this book!" -Deborah

During November and December, kids did chores around Granny's House to earn those precious points to spend at our unique store. They could clean a bathroom, sweep the front walkway, mop the kitchen floor, help organize craft supplies etc... And sometimes the children do the chores not just because they want to get more "points," but to be a blessing: "The volunteers at Granny's House work really hard and when we work to earn points, it makes their job much easier." -10 year old Granny's House girl.

Now, when they hear the announcement, “Who wants to tidy up the homework room?” the kids scramble and debate over who’ll get to do it; and sometimes we ran out of projects because everybody is looking for a job to do!

Our goal for the Christmas store was the same as the goal we had for last summer’s KAA Store. In the minds of many of the children who come to Granny’s House, “Provision” = “Handout.” With our Christmas Store, we want to change that equation to “Provision” = “Hard Work.”

Like little Christmas elves, the staff and volunteers collected donations from a number of groups, organizations, and area churches who volunteered to help us stock our store with gifts for moms, dads, grandmas, and teacher etc., everything from fancy bath sets and tool kits, to boxed chocolates and fashion watches. We did what my grandmother called “Killing two birds with one stone:” provided gifts for the kids’ parents, all while giving them an invaluable life lesson in responsibility and the joy of giving. The kids are learning, first hand, that it really is “more blessed to give then to receive!”

Princess Academy Featured in Missourian!

Recently, a reporter from The Missourian stopped by Granny's House to find out more about our Princess Academy program! It was great hearing the girls tell stories about their experiences and their quotes were so precious! Read the article here!

A Grand Gathering of Granny’s House Moms, Grandmas, Aunties!!

This year’s Moms’ Banquet theme, “JOY! It’s the Best Makeup,” made for a catchy t-shirt logo AND an incredible message from our guest speaker, Remi Onayemi, a member of the KAA staff.


Remi encouraged Granny’s House moms, grandmas, aunties, and other special guests to let God’s Word and a relationship with Him, rather than peer pressure and media images, form the template for your self-esteem. After hearing her message, one excited mom said, “I wish she would have talked longer… her message helped me so much!”




This year's Moms Banquet was, again, held at the University of Missouri’s Black Culture Center and, whether feasting on the catered bar-b-que meal and the ice cream sundae bar, or listening to testimonies of God’s faithfulness, everyone experienced the goodness of God – 3D!