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On Wednesday morning we were joined by the programme staff of the OBC Project (Orphans and Vulnerable Children). This project is also know as the Children of Hope Project. Ir was started by CBM 3 years ago. Currently it serves 1560 children in three different villages.
We drove high up into the hills outside of Kigali on red, dusty, clay roads to visit the families. We took rice, cooking oil and food staples to each home. We broke into two groups for visiting the families. Each group visited 4 families. Each story was heart breaking.
"E" is 14. His parents both died of aids when he was 10. His older brothers and sister left him on his own to live in his parents home. Through project he has been given a mentor who visits him weekly. CBM has put a new roof on his house and given him seeds to plant. He keeps a small garden. CBM hopes that he will become self-sufficient.
"G" is on her own with her two young children ages 3 and 4. She is infected with HIV and so are her children. She has also taken in 3 orphans. CBM has build a very samll 2 room house for and is also providing food and counselling.
"M" is an 18 year old who cares for her two younger sibs. Their mother was recently sentenced to 30 years in prison for a crime she says she did not commit during the Genocide. In addition to caring for the younger sibs, "M" takes food each day to the prison for her mother. It takes 3 hours to walk each way. CBM supports the children with a mentor from the village, some rabbits to breed for sale and counselling. Theeir house is in poor repair and will need to be replaced soon.
"P" is an 80 year old grandomother who has raised 8 children but is not caring for 4 orphans whose parents have died of AIDS.
Needless to say this was a difficult morning for the team.
In the late afternoon we made a quick visit to Amani Ja Yu, a women's co-operative in Kigali. The women are all HIV positive. They make beautiful crafts and clothing.
Several team members made purchases for family and friends.
After a short break at the guest house, the team enjoyed a wonderful meal and evening at the Sousy's home. This was a special time for their son Ben has he the company of our youth.
We drove high up into the hills outside of Kigali on red, dusty, clay roads to visit the families. We took rice, cooking oil and food staples to each home. We broke into two groups for visiting the families. Each group visited 4 families. Each story was heart breaking.
"E" is 14. His parents both died of aids when he was 10. His older brothers and sister left him on his own to live in his parents home. Through project he has been given a mentor who visits him weekly. CBM has put a new roof on his house and given him seeds to plant. He keeps a small garden. CBM hopes that he will become self-sufficient.
"G" is on her own with her two young children ages 3 and 4. She is infected with HIV and so are her children. She has also taken in 3 orphans. CBM has build a very samll 2 room house for and is also providing food and counselling.
"M" is an 18 year old who cares for her two younger sibs. Their mother was recently sentenced to 30 years in prison for a crime she says she did not commit during the Genocide. In addition to caring for the younger sibs, "M" takes food each day to the prison for her mother. It takes 3 hours to walk each way. CBM supports the children with a mentor from the village, some rabbits to breed for sale and counselling. Theeir house is in poor repair and will need to be replaced soon.
"P" is an 80 year old grandomother who has raised 8 children but is not caring for 4 orphans whose parents have died of AIDS.
Needless to say this was a difficult morning for the team.
In the late afternoon we made a quick visit to Amani Ja Yu, a women's co-operative in Kigali. The women are all HIV positive. They make beautiful crafts and clothing.
Several team members made purchases for family and friends.
After a short break at the guest house, the team enjoyed a wonderful meal and evening at the Sousy's home. This was a special time for their son Ben has he the company of our youth.
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