What joy it was to catch up with our friends at Speak I'm Listening. Being together with Beatrice (the founder) and Beatrice (the counselor) felt like coming home. These 2 women have such fierce passion and perseverance, yet they are humble and gentle spirits. The hope that they bring to widows and orphans is both inspiring and challenging.Speak I'm Listening began as a ministry to help female victims of genocide, and has evolved into a comprehensive program to bring healing, dignity and a new beginning to widows and orphans who have faced unbelievable trauma as a result of the genocide, rape, and HIV/AIDS.
They provide counseling, medical assistance, food and household items, education, job training, support of income-generating activities and from time to time, they even provide shelter to the vulnerable when possible.
Through their classes, they teach widows and orphans management skills and income-generating projects such as sewing, tailoring, embroidery, baking, and creating beautiful gift cards and artwork with banana fibers. When possible, they also provide micro-credit for cottage activities such as weaving sweaters, produce stalls, general retail trading, second-hand clothes selling, handicrafts businesses, etc.
The challenges that Speak I'm Listening faces during these tough economic times are monumental. To raise enough support to feed 40 orphans each day, to rebuild the decaying building that houses the banana fiber art classes, to try to raise the funds to provide support for the micro-credit project, to sponsor the children of raped mothers, etc., all take financial resources and support that are quickly dissipating.Since its inception after the genocide, Speak I'm Listening has provided aid to 770 orphans and 1048 vulnerable women, including genocide survivors, women raped during the genocide, children born out of rape and HIV Positive women. They are on the frontlines, bringing help, hope and a fresh start to those who are most vulnerable.
It was an honor and a blessing to be able to pray with them for the work that God has called them to do.
Here you can see some of the wood rot that threatens
the integrity of the crafts building
the integrity of the crafts building
1 comment:
Michelle & Joe,
Kim and I are glad you arrived safely at your detination not to much the worse for wear. It is really helpful to hear your insights and some of the details of the issue that are faced by the people of Rwanda and those called to help those who struggle so much. We are with you and look forward to your posts!
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