Saturday 12 April 2014

Surprise Visit from Aime


I had been trying to find ways to make the 2-3hour trip to Visit Aime. Aime lives in Musanze, in Ruhengeri in the North of Rwanda very close to the Gorillas. To my pleasant surprise, he turns up this afternoon at the Solace Center in Kigali with his delightful mother!! God is good indeed!!!
Aime is 13 years old and currently in his first year of Secondary School. He is a very tall boy and he loves to play basketball, surprise, surprise!!

Visited Claudine, Yacentha & Mediatrice at Kimihurura.


Visited Claudine (she is 13years old and currently in her sixth year of Primary school), she wants to become a doctor), Ycentha (he is 16years old and in his second year of Secondary school. He wants to become a Lawyer) and Mediatrice (she is 17years old and also in her second year of Secondary school. She wants to become a Doctor. They stay with their mum, Clenia, in Kimihurura in Kigali, Rwanda.

Visiting Iragire and Jimmy at Kimironko in Rwanda

Visited Jimmy & Iragire at their home in Kimironko in Kigali, Rwanda. Their mum, Candide, showed me her plot of land which she currently plants beans on and hopes to build a home for herself in the future.


Visiting Pamela at Kimihurura in Rwanda


Visited Pamela at her home in Kimihurura in Kigali, Rwanda.
Pamela is 12years old and currently in her 6th year of Primary school (P6).
She is a member of a choir and sings in church. She came 1st in her class and wants to be doctor.

Catching Up With Fred at Solace Center in Kigali, Rwanda

Catching up with Fred at the Solace Ministries Center in Kigali. Fred is on holidays from school and attended the Center with his Grandmother. He started his first year of Secondary school (S1) in Jan of this year, 2014. He is 13years old. He wants to become an engineer and build planes. So it shall be in Jesus Mighty name! Amen!

Saturday 5 April 2014

Spending Time With Mata and Tonia in Rwanda - Thursday, 3rd of April 2014

Chatting with Nicole and her daughters Mata and Tonia in their home. Tonia wants to become a doctor in the future. Mata is a budding entrepreneur!! She is rearing rabbits for sale. Go on girl!!




Visiting Mata and Tonia at their home

Arriving at Nicole Umurungi's home at Nyacyonga in Gasabo district to visit her daughters Tonia and Mata who are sponsored by Solace Ministries UK.

Friday 13 December 2013

Solace Ministries Arts and Crafts Store in Kabuga

Solace Ministries has an Arts and Crafts Shop in Kabuga, Rwanda. Kabuga is about 30-40mins drive from the capital, Kigali. The shop is used by widows to display and sell the arts and crafts they make themselves.


Visit to Solace Ministries Clinic in Kabuga on the 26th of Nov 2013

Solace Ministries has a clinic in Kabuga which provides healthcare for the local population including HIV care. Kabuga is about 40minutes drive from Kigali. Jean Gakwandi and the Jesus House team outside the clinic.

Visit to Kaduha on the 25th of Nov 2013


Kaduha is a very remote part of Rwanda. It is a 3 hour drive from the capital of Kigali. In 2011, Jesus House Church in London bought pigs, goats and cows for income generating activities in the community. This has and is still having a HUGE impact on the lives of 100 families in the community.

Jesus House Team (ReConnect) visited the community in Kaduha to see how they were getting on and to also listen and find out what other assistance might be needed.


We were warmly welcomed with songs and praise which we truly enjoyed. We were given an update from the community leader as to how the community is progressing. Toyosi from Jesus House ministered to the group.


Tuesday 3 December 2013

Jesus House Team Visit To Kaduha


Jesus House Team (ReConnect) drove with the Solace Ministries Team to Kaduha on Tuesday the 24th of November 2013.
Kaduha is a very remote part of Rwanda. It is a 3hour tough drive from the capital of Kigali but we were entertained by the Jesus House team with their singing. The singing was especially welcomed by Mama Lambert who had been feeling quite tired prior to the road trip.
















In 2011, Jesus House bought pigs, goats and cows for income generating activities in the community. This has and is still having a HUGE impact on the lives of 100 families in the community.


We were warmly welcomed by the community with singing and dancing like you have never seen. It was heart warming to see the improvements in their lives and how they are trying to work their way out of poverty. The Jesus House team were introduced to the community and the team ministered to them.






























We spent some time with them with Nere entertaining the kids with bubbles!! The kids had a delightful time with their new aunty Nere!!







Saturday 30 November 2013

Isang Obot's Perspective of Trip to Rwanda - November 2013

 So it's the last day in Kigali, Rwanda at the Solace Guesthouse. It is a bittersweet feeling that the trip is coming to an end. However, having gained a new family here at Solace without a doubt in my mind the memories will always be with us. From the first night when we landed, up until now -it has been a wonderful experience.

I can recall the first day when we visited a home of an orphan named Eric and his Aunty. From their story I was already moved by their living conditions, family loss due to events  of the genocide and general circumstances but I was also inspired by the fact that they were still hopeful and thankful for the work that Solace was doing. We shared a word of prayer and took pictures with the family. This was Day 1.
As the journey continued we visited a few of the local communities including Kaduha and Nyamata. The joy of The Lord was present as we visited Kaduha. The community here welcomed us with smiles and sang with such enthusiasm and life that it was contagious. We ministered to them by a spontaneous number titled, "Hosanna" and our Hod, Toyosi, shared a message of encouragement which I believe was a blessing to them.

The most memorable day was Testimonies  Day on Wednesday morning. A woman from Solace named Martha shared her story with us. She told us that when she is in church she is reminded of where she came from.  Her voice broke as she recalled specific events during the genocide. The trauma was felt throughout the room and people were moved to tears as she shared her story. She told us that in the beginning she was reluctant to join Solace because she was not able to pray again -she had given up. But through the support of Solace and seeing families of like nature she joined Solace and its team and spoke of how God had helped her and spoke to her when she was in deep sorrow and that God has been with her through it all.

It has been more than amazing working with Solace ministries, seeing the fruit from previous years, meeting the team and making an impact. Most importantly finding a new family in Christ Jesus. The experience is unforgettable.

We thank God for Solace Ministries and all the work they do and continue to do through other communities , schools and churches. We pray that what God has started in Solace He will bring it to completion. In Jesus Name. Amen! And as Solace continues to grow, that as a family  they will grow together as one as Christ is one with the Father.

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." (Psalms 133:1-3 KJV)

May God bless you richly Solace Ministries!

Isang Obot
Reconnect
Jesus House UK




Visit to Rwanda, Nov 2013 - Nere's Perspective


Today is the last day on my visit to Solace ministries in Kigali with Dr Remi and Reconnect from Jesus House London.
I may have missed my loved ones but I have to say that Rwanda and its people have been wonderful. Solace really is a big loving family that’s full of life and hope.
The work and heart of Dr Remi, Solace UK and Reconnect have been inspiring. The beautiful hills and land of Rwanda is breathtaking. The people have been even more beautiful inside and out. Thank you Rwanda for taking my heart to new level of gratitude and expectation for Africa. I am certain I will be back to Kigali in the next several months and I look forward to joining the Solace family.

Nere - 27th of November 2013



Wednesday 17 July 2013

Visit to Ivuka Arts Center in Kigali - Saturday, 13th of July 2013



Visit to the Ivuka Arts Center in Kigali, Rwanda. There are talented artists there and they also train budding artists. There were lots of great paintings and art work on show.

My niece also took a 3 hour class to learn from the artist.

The proprietor of the centre, Charles, was very friendly and accommodating.

Hopefully the world will soon discover the great art work coming out of Rwanda!!



Visit to Building Project for Widows at Nyamata - Thursday 11th of July 2013


We went to Ntarama in Nyamata to see the foundation that has been laid for the Malpasso Building Project which aims to build duplex homes or widows. The initiative is meant to build homes for less privileged widows chosen by the community.

Below is the proposed site for the next duplex home that will be built.

Nyamata is about 70mins drive from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Video - Arriving at Kimisagara, Kigali - Wednesday, 10th of July 2012


Inema Arts Center, Kigali - Wednesday, 10th of July 2013


 We visited Inema Arts Centre which is just next to the Solace Ministries Guest House in Kigali. The centre exhibits terrific art done by local Rwandan artists. We enjoyed chatting with them and also learning a bit of art from them.



Visit to Kimisagara in Kigali on Wednesday the 10th of July 2013


 We visited KAMIKAZI Divine and KIRENGA Christian in their homes in Kimisagara which is a sector within Kigali.

Their living conditions were in a very terrible state with them sleeping on uneven concrete floors.
The sector itself is in a poor state and congested.

We spent some time with each family discussing their situation, their living conditions, the progress of the children in school and most importantly, how we could help alleviate their situation.