Comfort Rwanda Blog

Message on genocide anniversary from partners, The Living Church

2012-04-07T19:33:00.002+01:00

Dear friends

I first greet you in the name of Lord and savior Jesus Christ. We miss you and always pray for you without ceasing hoping that our lord will keep you and sustain you with good long life even when the circumstances seem to say the contrary.

He who has started the good work in all of us will bring it to completion. Especially in these times of Easter where we celebrate the feast of Passover it is the feast of peace both inside and out. We pray that the peace of our Lord that surpasses all human understanding overflow your lives and those of your families and ministry.

We celebrate Easter with a great Joy but on the other hand it means the great suffering. In the midst of great turmoil and mess there was a great hope, especially now in Rwanda in these times of mourning for our people who died in genocide, now in the Easter season we have even a better message for those people mourning telling them that there is a hope in the midst of trouble and that hope is in Christ who is our high priest that truly understands our pain and can walk us through that by enduring and sympathizing with us.

We are can be confident that the message of hope will go deep and heal the wounds of the broken for we know for sure that it is the hope that moves people forward and it is the message that brings that hope. It is that message that we are messengers of. Keep us in your prayers for such a time and we believe God will keep the work of healing the wounds of the people.

You are a blessing in our lives and ministry and we cherish every moment we have known each other. You have blessed us spiritually socially and financially.

Many blessings to you and all your families. Happy Easter

Bibles for Congo refugee camp pastors

2012-03-22T14:20:00.000Z

Most Christians and many of the pastors in the refugee camps around Goma do not have Bibles. The church forms a vital role in comforting and helping the refugees but it is hard for pastors to minister to the people with no bibles.
Last year members of a group visiting Rwanda provided funds for Kinyarwandan and Swahili bibles (a significant number of people in the area speak Kinyarwandan). The Kinyarwandan bibles were distributed last year but it has been difficult getting hold of the Swahili bibles. Finally the Rwandan Bible Society was able to supply almost 50 of these and they were distributed in January this year. The photos have just reached us and you will see in the picture pastors of churches planted in the Mugunga refugee camp with bibles as well as one of the Mugunga churches which are built with UN tarpaulins.

Bee-keeping at Bugesera

2012-03-16T10:12:00.000Z

The Orskov foundation have awarded Comfort Rwanda £2,500 for The Bugesera Beekeeping Project which will help a genocide survivors group at Bugesera by enabling them set up a honey producing income generating scheme. Beekeeping is one of the projects initiated at Comfort Rwanda’s partners Solace Ministries to help communities of survivors: 1. raise income for a sustainable economic livelihood for widows and orphans. 2. help widows and orphans have an occupation that can help the trauma healing process. 3. sustain local plants and trees biodiversity (a prominent policy of Rwandan government) We have previously implemented agricultural projects with considerable success with this group and they have co-operated well and worked hard. Testimony from individuals from the group of changed circumstances through that project indicated clear benefits. Three other Solace groups have pioneered Bee Keeping with small scale projects and in two of those very positive results have resulted. In the third previous mediocre results are being improved. • The initial bee keeping farm will be located at the Nyamata Demonstration Farm. Honey harvested will be sold and the money will be put on the community development fund account which also is already in place. • This money will be used as a revolving fund by means of credit and saving to be used by the community for their integrated development. • Members of the community can then borrow the money to set up their own bee farms. Priority will be given to those continuing with the beekeeping project. The goal is for every community member to have one hive per family. With a good harvest ranging from 20kg per bee hive the first year, production would be 400kg for the initial 20 bee hives. 400kg will generate Rwf800,000 (c£850) for the 1st year. From the 2nd year, the harvest would be able to take place 4 times a year, increasing production to 60kg per bee hive with an estimated annual income of Rwf120,000 (c£130) per hive. From the 2nd year onwards, all 20 bee hives will be able to produce an income of Rwf2,400,000 (c£2,600) /annum. The grant will pay for Bee hives(Langstroth, Extractor, Queen Excluder, Grid hole flight, comb foundation, Brush bees smoker, Fork,protective clothing for bee keepers,Double screen, Bac&chevalet, Bee hive house,Spurs, Installation and maintenance for 18 mths for 16 hives.

Jari Update

2012-03-06T16:29:00.003Z

When the Rock Community Church in Dumbarton "adopted" the Solace Community at Jari, which consisted of about 80 adults (mainly widows) and 60 children, with 20 child headed households and 12 children orphaned by the 1994 genocide, some of their houses were in such a poor state of repair, it was decided that it wasn't cost effective to repair them and a commitment was made to build new homes. Land was purchased and fund raising took place to raise the £9,000 to complete the building, which started in February 2011.

Colette, Pelagia and their families moved into their new homes during October 2011 and celebrated receiving their keys with a typical Rwandan celebration. Unlike most homes in the area, each house is brick built, has three bedrooms, an internal toilet and cooking facilities.

Safe in their new houses, Colette and Pelagia and some of their neighbours are now generating income by selling honey from the bee hive project, growing and selling fruit and vegetables, and sewing, selling and repairing clothing. A workers' co-operative has been set up and this has now secured a contract to make school children's uniforms. All of these projects are helping them to become self-sufficient.

Your help with funding is much appreciated, not only for all of the above but for our ongoing projects such as building and repairing more houses. Thank you!

2012-03-06T11:11:00.002Z

Bishopbriggs Community Church have circulated a newsletter with an update on their community link with the district of Karongi, around Bisesero. You will find the news here - you'll need to leave it running a couple of minutes to download.

March 2012 Newsletter

2012-03-05T21:03:00.000Z

Comfort Rwanda Newsletter Spring 2012

Congo refugee project harvest

2012-02-29T14:35:00.005Z

Last year we were able to buy 5 hectares of land through a grant from Vegfam. Funds were also available for seeds and tools etc. The harvest of beans has just come in and 75 sacks were harvested. If these are hundredweight sacks which I imagine they would be as they are large sacks, that equals over 3000 kgs. Praise God for that - it also gives the refugees a real sense of their own achievement and production as well as helping them work together in community.

2012-02-21T09:44:00.003Z

There are a whole lot of absolutely amazing items for auction and raffle for
"An Udder Do for a Coo!" taking place this Saturday 25th Feb Cairn O Mhor winery at Errol between Perth and Dundee. The golf alone is worth £700! If you would like to put in a bid or buy raffle tickets please email as soon as possible to Morag Bathgate on fyshes2008@btinternet.com She will let you know where your bid stands or tell you how to buy raffle tickets. All monies raised to help buy cattle for Rwandan genocide survivors.

Items for auction (so far)
*Painting of Marta (Rwandan genocide survivor)
*Slate bed pool table and balls (slightly smaller than full size)
*cupcake decorating class at Bibi’s bakery (Aberdeen)
*3 x Guitar lessons (Dundee area)
*2 x driving lessons (hour and a half each – (Dundee area)
*Artwork and jewelry from local artists
*Rwandan cow herders beaded staff
*5 x sessions with a personal trainer (David Lloyd gym)
*Secondary level science tutoring (Dundee/Arbroath area)
*Round of golf at Kingsbarns golf course for 4.
*Tax advice (from someone who knows)
*Garden shed
*An afternoon mountain biking with a trained guide/instructor (for small group)
*Family sized fresh, made to order lasagne (from someone who once had a house in Italy so should know about lasagne)
* *Be a train driver – lesson in driving Kerr’s miniature railway engine, Ivor, in Arbroath with a life size train driver and invite friends and family to be your passengers (8yrs - adult!)
*The chance to drive a tractor on a farm
*A helicopter flight over Dundee
*North 58o powerboat trip/wildlife watch at Banff
*Services of a handyman
*Handpainted half moon occasional table
*Handmade tiara with Swarovski crystals
* Car radio, cassette,10 cd multi changer
*Full car valet from Audi
*20 sessions at Factory Skate park
*Voucher for a 5 week course in Smart Baby Touch Massage
*knitted cow (very cute!!)
Items for raffle (so far!)
*3 sessions at Factory Skate Park
*Footcare voucher
*Blu Hair and Beauty voucher (wash cut and blow dry)
*Errol mobile hairdresser wash cut and blow dry
*Vouchers for various local butchers
*White Stuff clothing vouchers
*A helicopter flight over Dundee
*family ticket for Sensation (Dundee Science centre)
*family ticket for Camperdown Wildlife Park
*Next voucher
*Hamish the cow picture books (by Natalie Russell)
*hopefully another knitted cow (also very cute!!)
*car wash vouchers
*various other small prizes

*Russell Ayto - Illustrator of ‘The Cow that Laid an Egg’ and ‘Best Cow in Show’ has also agreed to donate something…but we’re not sure what yet!

2012-02-15T14:17:00.002Z

"AnUdder Doo For a Coo"

Archie and Morag Bathgate are organising "AnUdder Doo for a Coo" on Sat 25th Feb at Fort Bob, cairn O'Mhor Winery, near Errol from 2-5 pm.
For details contact fyshes2008@btinternet.com or 07875652025

There will be an amazing auction and raffle with some absolutely fantastic donations including:

Painting of Marta (Rwandan genocide survivor)
*Slate bed pool table and balls (slightly smaller than full size)
*Baking session at a cupcake bakery (Aberdeen)
*3 x Guitar lessons (Dundee area)
*2 x driving lessons (hour and a half each – (Dundee area)
*Artwork from local artists
*Rwandan cow herders beaded staff
*5 x sessions with a personal trainer (David Lloyd gym)
*Secondary level science tutoring (Dundee/Arbroath area)
*Blu Hair and Beauty voucher (wash cut and blow dry)
*Errol mobile hairdresser wash cut and blow dry
*Vouchers for various local butchers
*Round of golf at Kingsbarns golf course for 4.
*Tax advice (from someone who knows)
*Garden shed
*Afternoon mountain biking (for small group)
*Family sized fresh, made to order lasagna (from someone who once had a house in Italy so should know about lasagna)
*Family day ticket (2 adults and 3 children) to Camperdown Wildlife Park
*Ceramic biscuit barrel – complete with biscuits!
*Ceramic cow storage jar complete with milk gums
*Tin of Roses
*Foot massage/footcare voucher
*Be a train driver – lesson in driving Kerr’s miniature railway engine, Ivor, in Arbroath with a life size train driver and invite friends and family to be your passengers.
More still to come!
*Russell Ayto - Illustrator of ‘The Cow that Laid an Egg’ and ‘Best Cow in Show’ has also agreed to donate something…but we’re not sure what yet!
*Possibly some nice ceiling lights and a lovely shower.
*Lots more….

Also stalls, moosic, magic show, refreshments, homebaking. All in aid of the 1000 cows project which is at a vital stage as we look very shortly to purchase land and cattle to create a breeding herd in Rwanda. So make it a day out and support this wonderful effort for the 1000 cows project

An udder doo for a coo

2012-02-04T12:55:00.000Z

For the non Scots speaking readers, roughly translated this is.

“Another fundraising event in aid of the 1000 Cows Project”

Please come along and bring your family and friends to what promises to be a fun filled afternoon. If you're coming along or want more info then please contact Morag (07875 652 025, fyshes2008@btinternet.com) or Susan (07800 776 270, susan.gillies@live.co.uk).

For more information on the 1000 Cows Projects, go here.

See ya there!!!

The BigGive

2011-12-23T18:04:00.003Z

Final amount for BigGive was £6200 raised in the four days we were able to access.

Well done everybody!

The BigGive update

2011-12-07T11:31:00.001Z

The matched funding for the Biggive is now finished for today (11.30 am). After doubling our total now stands at £4486. Well done and thank-you. We have two more days to go. To reach our target we need further on-line giving of £2,757. If you are unable to access the biggive at these times in the morning (10 - 11/12 ish) let us know and we will work something out with you. Do let your friends know - it's their opportunity to give to charity and see their donation more than doubled (when gift aid included).

The BigGive

2011-12-05T13:40:00.001Z

Dear supporters of Comfort Rwanda

We would like to apologise for the difficulties you have experienced in trying to give online to Comfort Rwanda's BigGive Christmas Challenge (http://new.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/11576). Comfort Rwanda has been one of the charities whose site has not been accessible all morning and as such we have been placed, along with some other charities, at quite a disadvantage as around half a million pounds of funds have already been disbursed this morning. You can see from below that things should be OK tomorrow morning and would appreciate so much if you could try again tomorrow morning!

Bless you for changing lives in Rwanda.

The statement from BigGive reads:

Thank you for your patience during the launch of this morning's Christmas Challenge.

We apologise for the difficulties in accessing the site. The problem was due to unforeseen server issues associated with the volume of donors trying to use the site. We understand that this has caused many of you to have to retract messages that you have already sent out to your donors.

We have now taken the site down to try to iron out these difficulties and to prevent donors from making donations when not all the charities may be able to access the site. We are therefore planning to re-launch the Challenge at 10am tomorrow morning, to give everyone sufficient time to let their donors know.

Some of you may have heard from donors who are unsure as to whether or not their donation has been accepted and matched. We would like to reassure you that any donations under £5,000 to Challenge Charities will be matched and any donations made in error refunded at no cost upon the donors request.

I would like to wholeheartedly apologise on behalf of myself and the rest of the Big Give team. We appreciate the huge effort you all put in to making this work and hope that your donors are able to return with fresh enthusiasm tomorrow morning and make the Challenge a big success.

Best regards,

Ashley Bowe

Managing Director
The Big Give

Double your donation with the Comfort Rwanda BigGive Christmas Challenge £5000 appeal

2011-12-02T14:44:00.001Z

5th-9th December 10.00am onwards all donations are automatically doubled.

Help finish the Ihumure Vocational Training College to train ex-street kids with employable skills

Donate HERE

And donate to Comfort Rwanda’s Christmas Challenge

Monday 5th December to Friday 9th December from 10.00 am onwards.

There is only a certain amount of funding released on each of these days and so we would encourage you to log in as soon as possible from 10 am onwards. 60% of the funding is released on the Monday and Tuesday so best to try and login on these days, although some funding is still available up to the Friday.

Rwanda – The road to reconciliation?

2011-10-17T11:40:00.000+01:00

Rwanda – The road to reconciliation?

In conjunction with The Rwandan Diaspora & The Rwanda Scotland Alliance.

You are invited to an open talk and discussion with Pastor Paul Ndahhigwa, President of the Pilgrim Centre for Healing and Reconciliation who is visiting Scotland. The Healing and Reconciliation Centre has trained thousands of Rwandans in Healing and Reconciliation. How real is what has been achieved?

Questions and discussions followed by tea and coffee.

Mon 31st Oct at 7.15pm
St. Silas Church,
69 Park Road,
Woodlands,
Glasgow G4 9JE

View Larger Map

"NEWNESS"

2011-09-22T22:44:00.000+01:00

Singer/songwriter and Comfort Rwanda supporter Jo McAlpine has just completed a 2 1/2 year musical project "NEWNESS" which includes 12 original compositions, one of which (NAILED) was inspired by the people of Rwanda . All profits are being donated to Comfort Rwanda. Please have a listen and share with your friends. There is a link to give direct to the work of Comfort Rwanda from Jo's website.

www.climatechangemusic.com

Goretex Transalpine Run 2011 - Update

2011-09-19T15:10:00.000+01:00

On Saturday 3rd September, ‘Team TPC’ kicked off the 1st stage of the eight day Goretex Transalpine Run 2011, leaving Obertsdorf in Germany, and heading to Kleinwalsertal, Austria. With a distance of over 27km, and 1800m of climb this was meant to be a gentle start for the team, but with the stage starting at 11am, in 80 degree temperatures with not a cloud in the sky, it proved a little more challenging than first anticipated! Still, the boys kept it steady, and finished in a very respectable 7th and in good form ahead of Sunday’s ‘King stage’.

Stage 2, on Sunday was the most challenging stage of the entire race with a distance of 55km, and 2500m of climb! (Further than either of the boys had ever run before!). They performed well, arriving in Schruns in one piece, in 4th place, allowing them to move up to 5th overall.

The weather turned bad on Sunday night, forcing a change of route for Monday’s trek from Schruns to Galtur, however it was still another marathon distance, which involved a massive 32km climb, followed by a brutal 12km descent! In treacherous conditions, the team ran brilliantly, narrowly missing a spot on the podium by only one minute! They finished once again in 5th position overall.

On Tuesday, Matt who had been struggling from the start of the race, experienced more problems, this time only 10km into the 40km stage. Although they completed the stage, Matt really struggled and they lost a considerable amount of time, finishing 17th (and falling to 7th overall). Sadly Matt ended up in the medical tent for an hour after the race and questions began to be raised as to whether he was fit to continue.

Wednesday, was billed as a rest day, with just a 6km mountain sprint to be tackled!! For the only time in the race, the team could run as individuals, with the slowest time being taken as the teams official time for the stage. Matt was still struggling, so Casey stayed with him for the majority of the stage, urging him on, leaving him only in the last kilometre. The time wasn’t the fastest, but they did enough to maintain their place as 7th overall.

Unfortunately, even after the rest of Wednesday, things didn’t improve on Thursday. Matt started the stage with Casey, however after crawling for the first 6km, it became apparent that continuing was not an option. Casey stayed with Matt until a doctor arrived, and despite losing over 20 minutes, and starting from the back of the field, managed to storm the stage, finishing 5th overall. The ‘Team TPC’ dream was sadly over however for Casey, although devastated, failure was not an option, and he was determined to finish the race, and do it in style!

Due to the nature of the race, there are often many casualties, resulting in an ‘Individual Finisher’s’ category. Although this category doesn’t attract prizes like the others, it does provide some recognition of the efforts of the individual runners that continue to race following the demise of their teams! We discovered on Thursday that despite all the time lost on previous stages, Casey was sitting in 2nd place and less than 38 minutes behind the current leader. After the challenges and frustrations of the week so far, and relieved to finally be able to start running the way he had trained so hard to, Casey was determined to make up as much of that 38 minutes over the final stages as he could!

Friday’s 37km stage involved climbing the infamous ‘Der Rappensharte’ – at over 3000m, the highest point of the race. Unfortunately, as if things couldn’t get any worse, Casey was one of about 100 runners struck down with food poisoning! Many runners dropped out but never one to give up, Casey still gave it a go, and despite being very unwell, somehow managed to finish the stage in the top 12, and still sat comfortably as 2nd overall in the individual finishers category!!

Feeling slightly better than on Friday, Casey had an absolutely brilliant race on Saturday’s final stage. The climb was tough but an awesome descent, left the guy leading the individual category (several time former German national champion!) for dust! With 2km to go, he spotted the reigning world champion 300m ahead & was only beaten by him by a second in the end!

Individual winner of the stage, and 2nd overall individual finisher is well deserved recognition for an outstanding performance & surely more than proves his calibre! Casey was understandably disappointed that things didn’t work out the way he had trained or planned however with a field including such high class athletes, he has more than proven that he can mix it with them, and has, I’m sure you’ll agree done Team TPC and Comfort Rwanda proud!!

ex Street Kids on YouTube

2011-08-12T11:04:00.001+01:00

Some of the children from the Street Kids Rescue project have been learning traditional cultural Rwandan dancing and recently exhibited their skills at The Living Church, Gatenga where the project is based. Great to see their enthusiasm and joy!

Trans Alpine Run 2011

2011-08-03T08:10:00.003+01:00

For the third year running Team TPC is in training to take on the Trans Alpine Challenge to raise money for Comfort Rwanda. It’s a slightly different line-up this year, with new boy Matthew Sullivan joining old-hand Casey Morgan on the gruelling 262km challenge. The race begins on 3rd September 2011 in Obertsdorf, Germany, and will cover a total climb of 15,226m through Austria, arriving in Italy 8 days later.

You can join them as they train (well kind of!) by visiting their training blog launching soon and on Facebook. Please support and encourage Casey & Matthew by making a donation at JustGiving. All proceeds with go to the Ihumure Vocational Training College Appeal.

A big thank you for your continued support - Go Team TPC!!!

VALUED - restoring value to those who have none.

2011-07-20T19:08:00.000+01:00

VALUED.org.uk was launched today. Comfort Rwanda has been supporting projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through our partners Comfort Congo. The purpose of VALUED is to make a difference and respond to two of the main issues facing women in DRC; Lack of maternity care and the devastating effects of mass rape. Please check out the website for more info.

Help needed for projects around Goma

2011-07-10T20:53:00.000+01:00

At present Carys Williamson from Dollar in Clackmananshire is in DR Congo helping with Comfort Rwanda's projects around Goma. We have received the following request for investment into the sewing projects in the refugee camps. Please read this through and consider whether you can help, either with an initial donation for the materials needed or regular support for the two $50 (£34)salaries needed. Four people giving £17 a month each would pay for the two teachers and train dozens and dozens of women in these awful camps where conditions are among the hardest in the world.
She writes:

Dear Callum,

Today I visited the sewing shop again at Bethlehem Church. After being there I decided to give up things with another project because I think this work really needs focus.

They have the machines up and running but there is not enough organisation to guarantee the best use of them. I met with the leaders and teachers today and this is what I have suggested, and has been accepted as a better way forward:

The women who want to have sewing lessons or embroidery must register. The young girls and Married women will be learning to sew as before, the embroidery classes will be mainly for the Widows. We began the registration today.

Sewing Machines

Four teachers have been dedicated to the project already, one of whom is a specialist in the embroidery machine that is currently lent to the workshop by a church member. Since none of them are paid they cannot give a lot of time because they must work at home also to raise money.

I believe for the project to be secure and well-run, their needs to be at least one sewing teacher hired to look after the workshop and govern the lessons. I proposed the main-teacher there already WIVENE BATEMBE be hired from next Monday 04/07/2011 part-time 24hrs p.w. for $50 p.m.. She can teach four 2hour classes, meaning 24pupils a day (72 per week).

The others two female teachers have agreed to stay on a voluntary basis to help Monday-Wednesday with classes. They two girls are: AMANI and LUMOO. The male teacher for the embroidery machine, EVARISTE, has also agreed to keep helping on a voluntary basis for now on Mondays and Tuesdays.

There are approximately 100 women who want to do sewing, meaning that until other machines can be moved to Bethlehem not all those interested can be included in a class. There are however other crafts at the centre and I think it will be prudent for the leaders to encourage more women into these.

We will have organised and registered the women into classes by Friday 1/07/2011.

Outwith the classes, the workshop can then be used by women who are already competent and want to work on creating products to sell. This means what is needed is people to open and close the property and watch over while work is done. The female leaders of the church have agreed to do this. These women are: MWICHO FRANCOISE, MUREKATETE PASSY and NYAKALIMA SELA. I believe many of the women wanted to concentrate on making school uniforms to sell when the school term starts again in September and the main-teacher WIVENE will want to be present to supervise this on these days also. The machines will be available to use Thursday and Friday for 4hr slots. This means that 24 women can have a 4hr slot to work per week.

Embroidery Classes
The main leader for these classes is VIRGINIE FURAHA who is the leader of the Widows and Rape Victims ministry at Bethlehem Church. She is very competent, patient and organised and knows who she is working with very well. She is definitely the best women to keep running this ministry. She is a rape victim herself and has already helped many others.

I propose that VIRGINIE also be hired on a part-time basis to give her security in the work that she is doing and allow her to dedicate all her time to her ministry. Her salary will also be $50 p.m. for 24hrs p.w. (though I know she will do much more). She has a group of 60 widows who she has already started training.

Other Crafts

Cooking stoves, mats, bags

More organisation needs to be put into these craft groups but I think we must concentrate on sorting the sewing shop first

Immediate Help Needed
The two part-time salaries I am willing to cover personally ($100) for sure for the first month. I believe I may be able to cover the second also but after the increased cost of my visa money is short. The need is great and this is something that I believe the project NEEDS to be effective so it is in Comfort Congo and God’s hands to happen.

Secondly I was handed a list today of materials the women need. The total of this list comes to $553 (£375). The major part of this which is really NEEDED by Monday 4/07/2011 when the classes start is for the sewing shop. This comes to $335 (£200) (it is materials to make school uniforms). When I meet with the two teachers this coming Thursday I really want to question the intended profitability in the sewing shop, and its aim. In what I have seen so far there does not seem enough directed vision for the workshop - is it a school or a business? Most importantly the machines need to be effectively used to genuinely improve the lives of the women.

So outright I am requesting from Comfort the $553 needed. I can supervise personally the wise-spending of this money. I will be working closely with Wivene from now on the help the transition of the shop for this time.

I know this seems like so much. This was not an easy day! But discussing and agreeing with the other female leaders this is change that NEEDS to happen to allow the machines to be used effectively in the community.

I am willing to write a personal contract with the women for the first month which they will sign this coming Thursday when we meet together. Will meet 7.30am tomorrow to start the ball rolling.

MUNGA AKA BARIKI!

Praying that God’s provision will come,

Carys

Ihumure Vocational Training College update

2011-06-15T12:03:00.005+01:00

The Ihumure Vocational Training College is now nearing external completion with the roof recently having gone on. The builders have done a great job!

There is still some internal work to be done and if you would like to help fund some of that, such as a kitchen for the hospitality and catering training, we would welcome that.

We hope to begin short term training aimed at getting ex-street children and other poor youth equipped as quickly as possible with employable skills. After 12 months we will then introduce longer programmes of training with qualifications aimed at up-skilling and providing opportunities for entry into higher skilled jobs. There is a sponsorship programme now set up and if you would like to support someone's training please let us know.

We believe this is a wonderful opportunity to see the potential of many ex-street kids released into good jobs and enable them to break free from the poverty cycle which has often held grip over their whole families for generations.

2011-05-09T15:26:00.002+01:00

Ben Kayumba from Good News International and The Free Methodist Church, is a long term partner of Comfort Rwanda, and is investing in upgrading an old missionary house into a guest house based at the Free Methodist Church compound in Gikondo, Kigali. The goal is to provide an income stream for himself so that he can concentrate on working with churches and communities in Rwanda in development projects without the need to seek funding for himself. This will enable funding to concentrate on the projects. The building is well suited to conversion for this use.

Ben is looking for someone/ some people to provide £16,000 as a loan (repayable with interest) towards the project. A business plan will be provided to anyone interested in this proposal. If you are interested please contact the Comfort Rwanda office (01236 827251) or email enquiry@comfortrwanda.org.uk

Letter from Paul Ndahigwa May 3rd 2011

2011-05-03T11:56:00.000+01:00

Our beloved friends partners in the ministry Comfort Rwanda.

Thanks for the work of ministry you share with us and support us. You make it possible for us to reach the needy people in a way we could not by ourselves. May the Lord bless and prosper you, also open doors for you in a way that you can never think or imagine.

This is specially to thank you for the heart you showed us when we had the terrible accident on Sunday the 24th April on our way to Gitarama to preach the gospel when we lost our driver, two other boys on the team are in intensive care at the Kigali hospital and we also lost our music and sound equipment and the car. It is very heavy on us but we thank you for your prayers, messages of encouragement and care.

We have loved serving with the team that was here the last couple of weeks at the bible college, conferences and crusades both in Gitarama and Nyamirama. The Bishopbriggs team, Marilyn’s team and Callum have been a blessing to our church in particular and nation at large.

The feedback from the Gitarama church says they got over fifty new people the Sunday after the accident, the Nyamirama interfaith committee said they got over 240 new converts and 17 recommitments. Despite the accident and the terrible loss of our own beloveds, we have gained many souls for the kingdom and may His name be forever glorified.

We feel our hearts have been charged up with the passion for the lost and nothing should stop us from reaching out to the people. We are looking forward to a fundraiser for the new equipment and we will get other instruments and we will go out even more just to share our faith and re-evangelise our nation.

Thanks for your partnership in the ministry and your heart for the people of our nation. Let’s reach them with the gospel and help the most needy and poor amongst them as acts of extending the kingdom of God.

Pray for us, the families whose children suffered and the fundraiser we are planning to buy new equipment to take gospel out. Our next target is Matimba

May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ bless you richly.

With love from Paul.

Motor bikes for Rwanda

2011-05-02T16:27:00.000+01:00

The Living church superintendents are required to travel extensively around their areas supporting pastors and churches. We would like to buy them or send them four 100cc or similar motor bikes. If you can help with this please let us know.