Gatenga

Gatenga Lads

I was down in Gatenga this morning, just to do some more work on my report for Callum. I thought I would just provide you with some photos of the people that we are working with, and the place that they live.

These young men are the people who will benefit from the College building, and today I went to have a chat about what we are doing. Only one or two speak English, but we got by thankfully avoiding me having to speak French.

This photo shows the centre of Kigali not that far away. I suspect that as the city develops, then Gatenga will gradually disappear, though its people will not, and new housing will have to be found for them, or they will be driven to the outskirts in similar housing.

I had a good hour interrogating Betty and Emmanuel about they work which they do. Its really pretty well developed and includes sponsoring through school, running football games, feeding them three times a week – porridge no less, chasing poor school attendance, installing discipline and preventing fights, and a generally providing a  place where they are loved.

I was asking them whether, as a generalization the children’s (many much younger_ are good at expressing love to their children. The view was that the parents are just so exhausted existing, trying to make a penny or two, and doing basic tasks – like dragging water a mile back home!

So the children do not tend to get much love at home, and the church based activities for the 3 times per week, give real opportunity to make them feel valued, and to give them fun and structure.

And talking of fun, this afternoon they are having a conference for young people. It last 3 days and these balloons are part of the fun.

For those of you who are interested in supporting this kind of work, Betty was telling me that they would like additional funds to help support additional school lessons for children who are struggling with their school work.

You can give through Comfort Rwanda