I spend my Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings teaching English in a kindergarten class here in Rwanda. Paige and I have twenty highly adorable students. We spend our days going through the alphabet letter by letter. We write them, say them, practice words they begin with, and draw pictures. The beginning and end of class is always filled with fun songs and dances.
The Pastor, Kabasinga Fatier, whom I am living with this month started the school. She grew up in Uganda and moved to Rwanda when the Lord called her to. She, her husband, and eight others began a small church in a little building here years ago…. The congregation is now up to two-hundred bodies.
When her husband passed away in 2012 due to a military accident, Fatier learned the struggles of being a single mother. Through that, the Lord gave her a heart for vulnerable families. Fatier decided she wanted to further help the community, and she began praying for her own school.
God told her to go apply for funds for her school at both the US and Japanese embassy. The Japanese granted her request and funded the entire project. Now, the private Christian school accepts 3-12 year olds who are orphans, children of genocide survivors, or children of military veterans and single parents. Her vision is not only to educate them but to help raise them as disciples of the Lord.
Classrooms welcome prayer and songs. Each Wednesday the school puts class on hold to gather next door in the church for an hour of worship and Bible lessons. Children stand together in t-shirts that are marked with the word “lion” or “dove” according to if they are boy or girl. And all the little lions and all the little doves pray and sing to Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. Watching the children worship is inarguably the most beautiful thing I have experienced out here.
There are currently two-hundred and four students attending the Samaritan International School located here in Karangazi-Nyagatare District, Rwanda. The mission is to care for vulnerable children, give them a decent education, and instill Christian values.
As good as it all sounds, help is still needed. It is common for families here to be sleeping on the floor at night. Some children do not have beds. People cannot afford to eat three or even two meals a day. Here is an opportunity to help.
Individuals can sponsor a child at Samaritan International School with:
-A one-time gift of $60 to provide a child with a mattress and beddings
-An annual gift of $55 to provide a child of your choice with school supplies. This includes their books, pencils, crayons, shoes, school bags and health insurance.
-A one-time gift of $30 to pay for two school uniforms.
-A monthly gift of $20 to contribute to their school fees.
-The school is trying to have enough funds to offer two hot meals a day to both the children and teachers. So even if they have no food at home, they will still eat. You can help support their kitchen preparation for this with a $30 donation.
One of my team mates is currently making a video that will feature Pastor Fatier sharing her story and vision for this school. It will also direct you in how you can make financial contributions towards the sweet faces you will see. I am very excited to open this opportunity to all of you to help answer prayers. We are praying that every child is sponsored and that funds come in to provide even more classrooms!
Video and details to come soon…
