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.


Video Recording of Trip to Jali, Rwanda on Tuesday the 9th of July 2013


Visit to Jali in Rwanda to see sponsored children on Tuesday the 9th of July 2013


 We travelled to the district of Jali which is about 70mins drive from the capital, Kigali. We visited IGABE Fridaus, SANO NGABO Bright and NSHIMIYIMANA Olivier who are been sponsored by the Ifeyinwa Irukwu Trust Fund via Solace Ministries UK.

Rwanda is called the 'Land of a Thousand Hills' and you certainly feel it when driving uphill along long and winding roads!!



The children are doing well in school and their mothers cope financially on a day to day basis from petty trading.

We have a good time with them in their homes and shared gifts and sweets with the children.

Arrived in Kigali, Rwanda on Sunday the 7th of July 2013


 My niece and I arrived into Kigali airport at 4:45pm local time. It was my niece first time in Rwanda!! Jean-Luc (seen in the picture) picked us up at the airport and took us to the Guest House at Solace Ministries. Solace Ministries headquarters is situated in Kacyiru in Kigali.

We were settled into our rooms and I gave my niece a grand tour of the premises.

Thursday, 6 December 2012

Trip to Rwanda - Saturday 1st of Dec 2012

I had a great time fellow-shipping with quite a few of the children we sponsor in Rwanda. Due to my short stay in Rwanda, we all met at the Solace Ministries Center in Kigali and they shared testimonies of their lives and how the sponsorship and support has impacted their lives. It was really an overwhelming and emotional experience.

Trip to Rwanda - Friday 30th of Nov 2012 - Computer School

The Gwenola Comupter School was set up by the Reconnect Team from Jesus House church in UK in October 2011. The computer school has been of enormous benefit to many children and also adults in learning how to use the computer and also subjects such as using power points.


These are pictures of a class in session.

Trip to Rwanda - Friday 30th of Nov 2012 - Ildebrand


Visited Ildebrand and his family at their home in Remera which is in the Gasabo district in Rwanda.

Ildebrand is one of the children who's education is sponsored by Solace Ministries UK.

Trip to Rwanda - Friday 30th of Nov 2012 - Cynthia

Visited Cynthia and her family at their home in Kinyinya which is in the Gasabo district in Rwanda.

Cynthia is one of the children who's education is sponsored by Solace Ministries UK.

Trip to Rwanda - Thursday 29th of Nov 2012


 Solace ministries owns a farm in Runda which is on the outskirts of Kigali. Community members are taught how to grow vegetables on the farm which they sell in order to generate income.

Trip to Rwanda - Thursday 29th of Nov 2012


 Visit to the Kabagali community which is about 2hours drive from Kigali. The community consists of about 200 families. We have started income generating activities in this community. They are encouraged and assisted in starting vegetable farms and pig farms. We are also encouraging them to start growing coffee which could be a very good source of income for the community.
We had a meeting at one of the proposed sites for coffee farming with the community leaders and members of the community.