Rwanda

Rwanda is a landlocked country of 1,000 hills and over 1,000 smiles. It is surrounded by Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Burundi

It is a poor rural country situated in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa with about 90% of the population engaged in agriculture, mainly subsistence. It is one of the few countries with a single common language and culture. Rwanda is made up of three tribes, Hutus, Tutsis and 1% Twa, but today they wish to be considered one and be called Rwandan. The country has few natural resources. Population today is close to 9 million.

Solace Ministries

Solace Ministries was born out of the obedience of Jean Gakwandi (John) receiving a call from God to comfort the widows and orphans who survived the 1994 genocide as he was reading God’s word, Isaiah 40:1: “Comfort, comfort My people, says your God”. This was later confirmed in 2 Corinthians 1:3: “We are comforted so that we can comfort others”. Thus the call was shared with other dedicated Rwandan Christians who were also survivors and obediently answered God’s call. The cry for help they heard encompassed not only material needs but emotional, spiritual, material and psychological needs.

Today Solace Ministries has expanded their ministry with the help of co-workers from Australia, Germany, Netherlands, UK and USA to assist the child head households and the ever present HIV-AIDS pandemic.


During the 100 days of genocide in Rwanda over one million people were slaughtered in 100 days, and approximately 250,000 to 500,000 girls and women (especially Tutsi) were brutally raped and/or suffered from other forms of sexual violence. The survivors are still living with the repercussions. Traumatised and stigmatised in their environment, and often experiencing weakened health, they lead an existence without much hope. About 70% of the survivors are infected with HIV. It is, however, not too late to bring hope in the lives of these courageous women and girls.

 

 

Solace Ministries in Rwanda are helping the orphans, widows, families and the many needy of Rwanda to face the challenges of the past blood shed, and those of the future, like the AIDS epidemic. With God's help we are partnering with the people of Rwanda through raising funds, awareness, and seeking Gods mercy through prayer.

Solace Ministries Rwanda is a nationally recognised Non-Government Organisation (NGO). It is a Christian organisation that seeks to meet the physical, mental and spiritual needs of those afflicted by the genocide of 1994.