| For many,
Rwanda is almost exclusively associated with the genocide that occurred
in 1994. In approximately 100 days, close to one million Rwandans
were killed by their fellow countrymen in an orchestrated “ethnic
cleansing.” Today, Rwanda continues to struggle with the results
of that genocide, as well as the loss of critical infrastructure,
the AIDS pandemic, and continuing poverty.
World Relief works with more than 40 denominations in Rwanda, including
long-established churches and numerous other newer Protestant and
evangelical congregations. Approximately 90% of the population attends
church and so this is a natural avenue for community-building, micro-enterprise
development and health and hygiene training, as well as the spiritual
life so desperately needed.
Our church has already sent a number of short-term teams to Rwanda
over the past several years, and will send a group of high school
students for an extended short-term trip this summer. In addition,
a compassion team will go in August. |
