Day 11- “Am I My Brother’s Keeper?”

Written by: Liz Henrich

We have seen and experienced many things in our time in Rwanda. Today our eyes were opened when we visited Ruhango. This village is the lowest level of poverty in Rwanda. Most of them don’t have shoes and some are wearing rags. They eat to survive and are fortunate if they each have one meal a day. The children do not go to school as the parents keep them home to work.

The Ruhango Community welcomes AWHI.

They are of the Pigme tribe of Twa which represents approximately 3% of the population. Many of the adults reached only to our shoulders in height but through intermarriage with other tribes, some were taller.

Most of the people there have never traveled more than a few miles from the village, never seen a city and have never seen “umuzungu” (a white person). One of the village leaders told us that we were the first white folks to visit them. We were quite a spectacle. In spite of this we received a very warm welcome. They were expecting us and greeted us with singing and dancing in the road.

This village believes they will never get out of this level of poverty. Bishop Theophile is working with them to think differently. A church community has been created. It has been in existence for 5 months. Bishop funded a preschool (rented space and purchased uniforms). There are 95 kids. We visited the preschool where the children showed off their English in songs and counting. They are so eager to learn! The preschool has only been in operation for a few months. They have 2 small classrooms but no chairs. The kids sit on a mat on the floor for their learning.

We shared a story with them “Does Jesus Really Hear Our Prayers?” and gave them each a prayer letter. We have been bringing bubble wands to all the children, and they did not disappoint. They had so much fun, having never experienced bubbles before. After that came our gift of crackers and juice and lollipops.

We gathered a group of women who have formed a small business savings cooperative into one of the classrooms to have a better understanding of their businesses and to offer them a saving bonus. Most of them can save only a dollar a week. The cooperative has been in existence for 3 months.

Women Cooperative Group - Runhango

They gave us gifts of handmade baskets and jewelry (this is one woman’s business) and we arranged to buy from her on our next visit there and bring them back home to the U.S. to sell to raise funds for their next bonus or micro loan.

Heidi shared a short message on Fear to Faith. They were rapt!

These are very sweet people who love Jesus and are hoping and praying for a better life. Our team believes that they will improve their lives by motivation to save and persevere with their businesses.

And……very hot here today!