Impact Rwanda takes a holistic approach to meeting the needs of the desperately poor and vulnerable people of Rwanda by offering feeding and education to street children survivors of the Rwandan genocide and HIV/AIDS orphans, support for HIV+ adults, funding for micro-enterprises in the Kiziba Refugee Camp, as well as garden and small animal husbandry training in the Nyamirama community.
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Impact Rwanda News and Updates
Thank you – You made so many things possible!
Each year, amazing stories happen in our programs all around the world. Here are just a few highlights from 2012. None of this would be possible without your steadfast financial and prayer support. Thank you! “Simona, a widow, was overjoyed to…
Dear Sweet William
Today was day two of our Summer Camp. Late morning I was outside the main hall and came upon William. William is about 10 years old. I have known him since he was a little boy. He is very dear sweet boy being raised by his mother in one of the…
Lives are changing!
Rwanda has on paper that they want all students with special needs to be integrated into society. Maddy Manden, who works with us, carries this passion in her heart. I think she is one of few if not the only person in Rwanda who is trained to…
New Stoves!
When one is poor there are many challenges in life. One of them is finding enough fuel to burn to cook whatever food they have. If they don't have money to buy charcoal, they scrounge for firewood which is difficult as it is illegal to cut trees in…
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International Teams’ Involvement
The Nyamirama Training and Development Centre – At the request of the Rwandan government, International Teams will work with the national church to meet the needs of the people of Kayonza district by constructing the Nyamirama Training and Development Centre. This adult and youth prototype training facility will provide a curriculum of hands-on, relevant instruction that will improve long-term sustainability and reduce malnutrition in the area.
The Vivante Street Kids Project – International Teams’ Vivante Street Kids project impacts the lives of hundreds of impoverished children and genocide survivors in Kigali, each week. On Fridays, about 150 children gather to receive a free lunch of beans, rice and bananas. Recognizing that food is only part of the challenge for these children, Team Leader Jennifer Kamari trains 30-50 street kids in language, basic math and life skills. Some children have never learned how to hold a pencil. Every semester 10 of the older children attend a local Technical School to learn skills such as welding, construction, carpentry and mechanics. In April 2008, the first group of 12 students graduated from technical training to apprenticeship. In the following semester, another 8 street children enrolled in technical school. This second wave of children was more trusting, having seen the success of their peers. The promise of employment has brought hope to street children who otherwise would have had no chance. School fees were paid for four high school aged students and 20 younger street children who have been placed in the loving homes of local church members. International Teams plans to hire a Program Director for the Vivante Street Kids Project.
The Ubuzima HIV/AIDS Association Project – The HIV/AIDS Association is a weekly support group for approximately 150 HIV positive adults in the city of Kigali led by “Mama Deborah”. This group visits, prays for and encourages one another, and looks after practical needs like emergency medication, food and palliative care. International Teams provides food and medical care for some of the HIV/AIDS Association children. International Teams interns have also assisted with homecare visits.
The Kiziba Refugee Camp Project – Approximately 18,000 Congolese live in the Kiziba Refugee Camp, in western Rwanda’s Kibuye province. Most have long desired to return home, as daily life in Kiziba is far from easy, but dangerous conditions in the Congo prevent their repatriation. In addition, a volunteer teacher leads the Jeunesse Chretiene en Mission (JCM) youth association composed of youth leaders from 13 churches in the refugee camp. The JCM organizes activities for hundreds of youth, such as sports, community care to HIV patients inside the camp, concerts and evangelical crusades. International Teams provides micro-enterprise and business management training and, recently, purchased a generator for the JCM to run sound systems for crusades and to operate a cell phone recharging business to generate income for their ministry.