Actress Patricia Heaton considered a career in missions before her acting career took off. But God’s plan for her on mission isn’t over! Join Patricia on her recent trip to Rwanda to visit children like Delphin who are in desperate need of clean water.
Why World Vision is in Rwanda
Over a decade of political stability continues in Rwanda, where people celebrated a peaceful presidential re-election this year. Rwanda is hosting thousands of refugees from war-torn neighboring countries. A 2016 Global Gender Gap Report ranked Rwanda among the top 10 countries and the number one African country for progress in closing inequality between men and women. While a drought caused food shortages in the eastern part of the country at the beginning of the year, severe rains later left thousands homeless and others injured from collapsing or damaged buildings. Political stability and gender equality are important steps toward strengthening Rwanda, so people can respond well to the needs of their vulnerable neighbors. Together we’re working to give thousands of people access to clean water. As we’re helping to improve the quality of education and address low school completion rates, we’re also making libraries and reading materials available to more kids. Locally supported community savings groups are thriving, giving economic stability to more and more households. Together, we’re making sure that more kids have life-saving nutrition and healthcare services, so they can live flourishing childhoods.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Rwanda ❯
Progress in Rwanda
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- Children are more engaged in their communities after participation in campaigns and clubs where they learned about their rights, and how to share their skills and ideas with their communities.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- To improve child nutrition, World Vision supported kitchen gardens that provided families with fresh nutritious vegetables, and trained parents how to prepare diverse balanced meals for their children.
- New water supply systems and handwashing facilities at schools gave more children access to safe drinking water.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- More children are improving their reading skills. After joining reading clubs supported by World Vision, children improved their literacy skills and academic performance.
- Parents, volunteers, and child-protection committees learned to monitor and report violations of children's rights to safety, education, and play. They encouraged children to stay in school, and taught them their rights.
Prayer Requests from Rwanda
World Vision's staff in Rwanda are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Our ability to care for refugees, especially the children, from neighboring countries who are coming to Rwanda.
Continued peace, stability, and economic transformation for our country.
News from Rwanda
Special Features
The dangers below: The pond of misery in Rwanda
Alongside a pond in Rwanda once roamed the legendary “Big Five” animals of Africa. Today, dominion of the pond belongs to creatures that are smaller but even deadlier — bloodsucking parasites, mosquitoes, and snakes. Eight-year-old Esther hates the pond, her only source of water.
From the Field
1994 Rwandan genocide, aftermath: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
April 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. What happened? How did World Vision facilitate peace and reconciliation? Find out the answers to these questions and more.
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