Our Sheep Have A New Home! An Introduction To Muende Farm
As many of you dear readers already know, some of Handspun Hope’s most important teammates have four legs, prefer grass to rice, and have no need of jackets to protect themselves from the cool, northern Rwanda air. Of course, I’m referring to the merino sheep that provide us with the wool from which most of our beautiful creations are made - from bespoke sweaters, to cozy & colourful patchwork throws, to one-of-a-kind, gorilla Christmas tree ornaments! Although they’ve never attended a staff meeting or training seminar, these sheep are truly an integral part of the Handspun Hope family!
Way back in 2014, I had paid them a visit at their ‘Kinigi Farm’ home - white cotton balls dotting lush green fields, backdropped by a wall of imposing and awe-inspiring volcanos. Oh - and diligently protected by a slightly ornery (but cute nonetheless) guard donkey named Punda.
The woolly stars of the show!
Although it was a wonderful home for them for many years, we were given notice within the last year that the land was needed once again by the Volcanoes National Park. Thus began the search for a new home for our ovine friends. So after many phone calls & emails, and much searching, exploring, and praying, a new home for them was indeed found! It’s a picturesque 12 acres in the region of Mugongo - just down the road from Rosamond Carr’s home. Two separate fields on opposite sides of the main road, backed by a forest that looks like it was lifted straight from the pages of a Grimm’s fairytale! Lots of fresh air, of course. Lots of space for them to roam, gallivant, and kick their back hooves up. And lots of yummy, green grass for their lunch breaks. Relocating them was quite the adventure! As anyone who has ever moved from one home to another can attest to, the details and logistics seem to be neverending! Meeting with the local leadership and compiling all the paperwork that they needed for approvals, choosing and installing the right type of fence given the area and terrain, interviewing & hiring trustworthy and diligent shepherds, deciding on the proper floor for the small barn where the sheep will sleep & weather rainstorms, and the list goes on!
But we’re happy to report that, as of three months ago, our sheep are all moved in (as it were) to their new home, and seem to be settling into the neighborhood just fine! Thanks to all of you who were praying about the process, and cheering us along. We appreciate it! Now all that’s left to do is for the sheep to grow nice, long, fluffy coats, and for the talented artisans at Handspun Hope to do what they do best and turn that wool into the unique treasures that have brought beauty & smiles to so many homes and lives across the world!