Provide hope and healing to orphans and vulnerable children. 

What are the needs? 

Rwanda is currently the most densely populated country in mainland Africa, with roughly half of the population under the age of 18.  It is a nation that has long been working to heal from the tragic and compounding effects of the 1994 genocide, HIV and AIDS pandemic, as well as extreme poverty.  The impacts continue to be felt at many levels today, particularly among the generation left orphaned and traumatized.  The nation has made remarkable progress towards good governance and helping the poor, but poverty remains one of the main issues affecting nearly half of the population today. 

How will your raised funds be used? 

Funds raised will ensure children have better access to education, which includes paying for school fees, uniforms and supplies.  Participants receive socio-economic support, improved access to health care, as well as vocational and life skills training to help children and youth become less susceptible to abuse and exploitation.  Access to psychosocial care is also an important element provided to help children, youth and adults heal from the effects of trauma and other challenges. 

What’s being done to help? 

CBM works with the Association of Baptist Churches in Rwanda (AEBR) on various levels, including theological education and community development.  Together, CBM and the AEBR have formed the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) project, which helps local Baptist churches support the most vulnerable children and youth in their communities.  Though an entire generation of children were left without parents after the genocide, today, abandonment and disease continue to rob children and youth of their parents as well.  This leaves communities with several impoverished child-headed households, leaving families vulnerable and alone.  The OVC project strives to ensure those who have been left behind are not forgotten, but instead, have every opportunity for a better future.  

The Gift of Education  

Hope is nine years old, and a participant in the OVC project.  She lost her mom to AIDS, which forced her to move in with her relatives, but they could not afford to care for her.  Hope had little food to eat, and was malnourished when a family friend intervened and took her into their own home.  At first Hope would sit alone and cry, but life slowly began to improve due to the care of her new, loving family, and with her participation in the OVC project.  Hope received proper nutrition and support to be able to attend school for the first time.  Hope loves being able to go to school like other children.  

“I am happy that I can go to school.  I want to become a nurse and help other people.”