My Visit to Rwanda!!!

Genocide Memorial in Kigali, Rwanda

Where were you in April of 1994?  I remember I was just thirteen years old without a care in the world!  Unbeknownst to me there was devastation and tragedy brewing on the continent of Africa.  Rwanda, which sits in the very center of the continent, was experiencing one of the most horrific genocides that a nation has ever seen.  Yet I have no recollection of the matter. 

On my first mission trip to the country, I learned that many other countries, members of the United Nations, including the U.S., did not lend their support and reach out to this country in dire need.  Instead, members of the U.S. Embassy were told to flee, and only one refused.



U.S. Embassy in Rwanda

Rwanda received help from no other nation and as a result 1,117,000 people died and counting.  They continue to find the remains of victims today. 

Rwanda has made an amazing recovery, and continue to make strides towards rebuilding their nation, but help is still needed.  Today, they have a President, who I call the Barack Obama of Rwanda!  President Paul Kagame is committed to moving the country forward, and he has the support of the natives there.  As I travelled through the nation almost every building that I entered had his picture posted on the wall, and many people wore t-shirts bearing his face.

President Paul Kagame pictured here with
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama

In spite of the genocide, Rwanda is now one of the safest countries on the continent of Africa and has the fastest growing economy.  Rwanda has made leaps and bounds from its position in 1994, but there is still work that needs to be done.  Electricity, water, and education are the three main components that are desired by many of the natives, yet they are all a scarce commodity.  Additionally, the psychological effects that the genocide has had on it's survivors is astounding.



It is common for Rwandans to use water from a nearby stream or pond
for their daily water source, which may ultimately lead to sickness and disease.

If interested, there are several ways that you can lend a helping hand.  Church groups may choose to sponsor a church by donating funds, bibles, etc.  Individuals may choose to sponsor a family, village, or child.  Just $30 per month can send a child in need to school.  For more information, please visit http://www.worldhelp.net/ and make contact with the Director for Africa, Mr. Cyrus Mad-Bondo, who makes several trips to Africa per year.  You may even schedule a trip through World Help to witness the people and it's land for yourself.  World Help is a non-profit organization that accepts donations in any amount at any time.

These are the images that have inspired me to render my 'Help for Rwanda': 





Tombs at the Genocide Memorial

Shots were fired into this building targeting Genocide victims

This is the actual hotel of the events portrayed in the movie "Hotel Rwanda."
(Hotel Des Mille Collines)

This is the pool that was used to sustain Genocide victims as portrayed
in Hotel Rwanda

The Rwandan government built a village of homes to compensate
widows and children of the Genocide.  World Help provided this water source.
The woman is the mother of the village who other widows depend on for support.

Many Rwandans use stream water for daily use.

Funds for the roof of the Blessed Mango Tree Church were donated by
a church in Thompsonville, GA

The Blessed Mango Tree congregation would have service under the blue
tarp seen here before they were blessed with a roof for the new church.

Beautiful mother of the church is a widow whose husband was murdered in
the Genocide

Neighborhood children rely heavily on the church for support.

This little girl's eyes will forever remind me of my 'responsibility' to the
country of Rwanda.



Pastor Nathan of the Blessed Mango Tree Church founded
the Star School which is supported by sponsorship and donated funds.

Santia receives sponsorship to attend the Star School.  She had never

seen herself in a picture before.

Children of Hope Village

The children would use plastic bags tied with rubber to
make a soccer ball.  They were excited to receive a real soccer ball.

Agnes is a resident of Hope Village, founded for orphans of the Genocide.
She told the story of how at the age of twelve, she rescued an infant and hid in an underground hole
for two weeks.  When she was captured she was brutally beaten and used as a slave.

Orphans of Hope Village who were babies at the time of the Genocide

House in Hope Village--Many of the homes in Rwanda are made of sod and mud.

This is one of the many homes in Hope Village which was built by funds
donated to World Help.  Three or more orphans share one house.

The living room

The bedroom

 Bishop John Rucyahana, author of "The Bishop of Rwanda" has dedicated
much of his life to rebuilding the spirit of Rwanda and its people.  He founded the
Sonrise School which also houses orphans of the Genocide.  He also ministers to
the imprisoned perpetrators of the Genocide.

Elementary students at the Sonrise School

Many of the students were wearing Toms

When you buy a pair of Toms, they donate a pair!

Women preparing food for the Sonrise School

Products of the Sonrise School who now devote their time as computer teachers

Volcano just miles behind the Sonrise School

The Church of the Massacre--5,000 Genocide victims were murdered here

Tombs inside the Church of the Massacre

Monique  was not a Christian at the time of the Genocide when she and her family along with

 hundreds of other people were marched to a church to be killed.  While in the church she

opened the bible to Psalms 91:7.  Later that day when the perpetrators took fire upon the group,

a bullet only grazed her hand.   She fell to the ground and could feel the weight of her family's dead

bodies on top of her 13 year old body.  She heard the bad guys leave to go get fuel to burn the bodies,

and used that as an opportunity to escape.  Today she is a 32 yr old Christian who founded an association 

 for orphans of the Genocide.  She lost her entire family to the Genocide.

Artwork on the wall of a home in Hope Village

May we all surrnender our 'Help for Rwanda' to this through.