Rector and his wife gift Rwandan elderly
The rector of Killyleagh, Revd Jerome Munyangaju and his wife, Mary, intend to return to Kigali one day, but in the meantime they have decided to put their home in Kigali to good use.
Part of the legacy left behind after the horrific genocide in Rwanda is of those who survived. The elderly survivors are now too old to look after themselves and have no relatives to care for them.
When Jerome and his wife began to think of retiring to their native land, they discovered one of the lasting effects of the genocide on the survivors.
Mary Munyangaju said: “There are so many people who lost their families and a generation was just wiped out. Those who survived were the elderly people and the children; that’s why so many elderly people now – in their old age – they don’t have anybody to rely on.”
The couple hadn’t planned to live in their retirement home just yet so earlier this year, they returned to their native Kigali and gave the building over to the elder members of the community.
The rector explained: “In Rwanda where there’s no social security, your social security is your children – is your relatives; and people in their older age when they don’t have such people to look after them, then they are on the road – they are homeless!”
This gift is life changing – and also changing the mind of government – the authorities are now considering some form of social services for the elderly.
He continued: “I am feeling that we are contributing to people who, otherwise, would have nowhere to live.””It’s my duty as a Christian to alleviate need – to alleviate poverty if I can; and whatever I have I feel it’s been given to me by God, but also to be shared with other people. That is my Christian conviction.”
Find out more
Download the latest newsletter and visit the Bird of Paradise Ministries Rwanda’s website.
SupportThe project urgently needs support. If you feel God is calling you or your Church to be a part of this mission outreach, then please contact Jerome and Mary on 028 44828231 or 07749863247 or email bpmr@live.com. Cheques payable to Bird of Paradise Ministries in Rwanda.
Watch the recent UTV Live report here.