Sisters Changing the World through Education

Kristina Rems & Alexandria Cruz

By: Cathy Padilla

When meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary work, I’m always reminded of the story of the starfish. You’ve probably read it as well. The little boy is walking along the sand littered with thousands of beached starfish and throwing some back in the ocean. An old man questions why he would bother to help a few when there’s no way he can help them all, telling the boy his efforts don’t matter. The little boy, picking up another starfish and casting it into the water, tells the old man, “It mattered to that one.” After a medical mission to Uganda, Alexandra Cruz, PharmD, sponsored a child and changed her life forever. Seeing the tangible results of her sister’s work, Kristina Rems, a teacher in Fair Haven who lives in Red Bank with her husband Jack and her dog Milo, sponsored a child as well. Almost immediately 14 other friends and family members decided to help. Last summer Kristina traveled to Uganda with Alex to meet the sixteen children they and their friends sponsor, finding their lives completely changed but also seeing many other children in desperate need. Upon returning home, the sisters partnered with Waves of Health, the original organization Alex traveled with, to form Waves of Education. Here is their story and how you can help, because once you read what they’re doing you’ll know how much it matters.

CM: Where did the idea for Waves of Education start? Kristina: Waves of Education started in 2018 when Alex went on a medical mission to Kavule, Uganda, a fishing village, with the non-profit organization Waves of Health. On this mission, Alex met a six-year-old girl named Kevin whose mother abandoned her when she was only a year old, whose dad was a 75-year-old alcoholic, and who was essentially neglected (having ringworm and being severely malnourished) before being put into the care of a social worker named Sister Bernadette. Despite the fact that Alex and Kevin did not speak the same language and the only way they could formally communicate was through a translator, they formed a strong bond by taking selfies with Alex’s phone, smiling and laughing together, and simply being in each other’s presence. By the end of the trip, Alex was so moved by Kevin and her story that she asked Sister Bernadette if there was any way that she could help Kevin. Sister Bernadette’s immediate response was sponsoring Kevin to go to boarding school which would give

her access to a quality education essentially bettering her life. At the price of a small coffee each day, Alex happily agreed to sponsor Kevin and afford her this opportunity. Since beginning to sponsor Kevin three years ago, Kevin is now thriving. She speaks fluent English, is well cared for, and most importantly is happy.

CM: Why start your own non-profit?

Kristina: Seeing how these children were thriving, but also seeing how many other children do not have access to a quality education, Alex and I knew that we needed to do more. After numerous late night talks and a lot of thought, we asked Waves of Health if they would be willing to partner with us and help us build a primary school in Uganda, thus creating Waves of Health’s new initiative Waves of Education.

CM: What is your mission?

Kristina: Waves of Education’s mission is to expand access to quality education to the children of Uganda. Our vision is to empower a marginalized community to become self-sustainable and offer a way out of extreme poverty. Our current goal is to raise $150,000, which will enable us to build a seven room primary schoolhouse in a remote area in central Uganda. We have partnered with Waves of Health’s in-country partner, The Little Sisters of St. Francis, to do so. By building this school, we would be helping educate a community and assisting them in becoming self- sufficient as well as self- sustainable. Research has proven that having access to a quality education reduces poverty, improves health, and can empower a community. We hope that through this initiative we are giving people a chance to better their lives and the lives of generations to come.

CM: Why the focus on education?

Kristina: We know how impactful a quality education can be on a person’s life. We have seen firsthand how education creates opportunities and empowers/inspires people to better their lives and strive to reach their full potential. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the greatest weapon that can be used to change the world” and this statement is something that we both wholeheartedly believe in.

CM: Why Uganda?

Kristina: Although Uganda has made great progress in reducing countrywide poverty, it still remains one of the poorest nations in the world. Unfortunately, basic needs are not met and there is no relief in sight. After visiting Uganda and seeing so many children who aren’t able to attend school, we knew that what so many of these children need is hope and something to believe in and through education we believe that we can provide them with both.

CM: What sets you apart from others doing what you do?

Kristina: Our passion for the cause and bond with the people of Uganda really is what sets us apart. We have not been able to ignore the firsthand extreme poverty that we have seen in this country and will work tirelessly to better as many lives as we can. We have a trusted as well as respected in-country partner who is equally excited for this opportunity to work together and we are confident that every dollar raised will be used for this project.

CM: What is your next goal beyond the $150,000?

Kristina: Our overall goal is empowerment. Once we have built the primary school, we would like to build a secondary school so that the students have a place to go once they complete their primary education and their education doesn’t stop. With time, we are also hoping to provide vocational training for community members and help support them as they get their businesses started.

CM: What is the most challenging part of what you do?

Kristina: The most challenging part is knowing that we can’t help everyone. Being in Uganda and seeing the conditions that some of the people live in is heart wrenching. We wish that there was a way for us to help every person in need, but what we keep telling ourselves is that even though we aren’t able to help everyone we are helping as many people as we can and that by doing so we are making a difference.

CM: Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?

Kristina: She believed she could, so she did. Alex: Be the change you wish to see in the world.

CM: Who has most influenced your career or life?

Kristina: My family has definitely had the most influence on my career and also my life. They have always believed in me and supported me. My husband, parents, and sister in particular have been my rocks through everything and have taught me how to be resilient as well as how to persevere in the face of challenge. Alex: I have been most influenced by my family who has always valued helping others and making a difference wherever/whenever you can.

CM: How are you progressing with your goal?

Kristina: Since launching our initiative mid- November, we have been able to raise $40,000 with the support of our friends and family. We can’t achieve our goal without you. Please consider joining our cause and giving the gift of education to those most in need.

For more information, visit, WavesOfEducation.org