What initially appears to be a nondescript building in a small village, has proven to be anything but ordinary. This place, Hope for Life Ministry (HFLM), serves as an incredible refuge and a home for boys coming from the rough streets of Kigali.
I cannot begin to comprehend what it would be like for a young boy to try to survive on the streets. No home, no real family, little to no food, and no education. Instead violence, drugs, and fear fill their lives. Hope is the last thing that comes to mind for many of these kids. Yet, for the past five years this Ministry in Kabuga, Rwanda has served as a home and a future for many young kids.
This past week, I have had the privilege to explore this home and even volunteer a small portion of my time. My friend Charlie is finishing up his year as the sustainability coordinator at HFLM. Working with Torrey, another CU grad, Charlie has helped implement water filtration systems, sustainable food sources (including building a chicken coop), and even a basketball court to entertain the boys. The home itself is incredibly self reliant. Having no modern kitchen equipment, three square meals a day are provided using mostly local food sources. Water is filtered using a system developed for the home. When running water isn't available, liters are purchased from the local well. Counseling, spiritual guidance, and everyday assistance is provided by two incredible resident counselors. Every child is sponsored by partners of HFLM, so that every child may attend school. In short, the ministry ensures that every child is provided a safe place to learn and develop, while still remaining financially sustainable.
For the past week I have been able to spend some time at the home. Charlie and I put some finishing touches on the basketball court, and helped dig an irrigation ditch. I was also able to spend some time with two of the younger boys, Benjamin (age 6) and Claude (age 7). Both these kids came from incredibly tough backgrounds. Benjamin was neglected on the streets and came to HFLM without even a name. Claude on the other hand, was saved from a child detention center after his mom died in prison. Yet despite these heartbreaking stories, both are some of the happiest kids you could meet. Both are well fed, cared for, and attending a good school. Helping them with the English alphabet and playing games with them has been a true highlight of my trip.
On a more sobering note, the alternative to Hope for Life is quite grim, and not every boy at the home chooses to stay. On Thursday, while exploring the array at stalls at the Kimironko Market in Kigali, we found Patrick, a 14 year old who chose to return to the streets. I was told by Torrey and Charlie that Patrick was a strong student and healthy young man while at HFLM. He was a natural born leader and was able to gain respect from his peers. However, a few months ago he decided to run back to the streets. I was told that some boys including Patrick are so used to life on the streets, and with that lifestyle so engrained in them, find a structured home with discipline hard to handle. Finding Patrick on the streets the other day was a clear picture as to what the alternative to Hope for Life is like. His face was cut and bruised, his clothes were rough and in shambles, and his eyes appeared blank. He was high on something, and unable to form a coherent sentence. We can pray that he eventually chooses to accept the help offered by HFLM, but ultimately it is his choice. He must be able to break the habits and culture engrained in him after being on the streets for a good part of his life. With that said, he has many people at HFLM that care deeply about his future.
While only being in Rwanda for a very short time, it's obviously difficult to become invested in something or truly see the full picture. However, this week served as a snapshot as to the tragic and difficult lives people lead (especially in a country so riddled with poverty), and the incredible work of some organizations to help change this picture. Experiencing HFLM and talking with a myriad of other expats has helped give a sense as to the scale of empowerment and development going on in places like Rwanda. Whether it be a micro finance business or a home for street boys there are so many organizations and people extending hope to those who had none.
I cannot begin to comprehend what it would be like for a young boy to try to survive on the streets. No home, no real family, little to no food, and no education. Instead violence, drugs, and fear fill their lives. Hope is the last thing that comes to mind for many of these kids. Yet, for the past five years this Ministry in Kabuga, Rwanda has served as a home and a future for many young kids.
This past week, I have had the privilege to explore this home and even volunteer a small portion of my time. My friend Charlie is finishing up his year as the sustainability coordinator at HFLM. Working with Torrey, another CU grad, Charlie has helped implement water filtration systems, sustainable food sources (including building a chicken coop), and even a basketball court to entertain the boys. The home itself is incredibly self reliant. Having no modern kitchen equipment, three square meals a day are provided using mostly local food sources. Water is filtered using a system developed for the home. When running water isn't available, liters are purchased from the local well. Counseling, spiritual guidance, and everyday assistance is provided by two incredible resident counselors. Every child is sponsored by partners of HFLM, so that every child may attend school. In short, the ministry ensures that every child is provided a safe place to learn and develop, while still remaining financially sustainable.
For the past week I have been able to spend some time at the home. Charlie and I put some finishing touches on the basketball court, and helped dig an irrigation ditch. I was also able to spend some time with two of the younger boys, Benjamin (age 6) and Claude (age 7). Both these kids came from incredibly tough backgrounds. Benjamin was neglected on the streets and came to HFLM without even a name. Claude on the other hand, was saved from a child detention center after his mom died in prison. Yet despite these heartbreaking stories, both are some of the happiest kids you could meet. Both are well fed, cared for, and attending a good school. Helping them with the English alphabet and playing games with them has been a true highlight of my trip.
On a more sobering note, the alternative to Hope for Life is quite grim, and not every boy at the home chooses to stay. On Thursday, while exploring the array at stalls at the Kimironko Market in Kigali, we found Patrick, a 14 year old who chose to return to the streets. I was told by Torrey and Charlie that Patrick was a strong student and healthy young man while at HFLM. He was a natural born leader and was able to gain respect from his peers. However, a few months ago he decided to run back to the streets. I was told that some boys including Patrick are so used to life on the streets, and with that lifestyle so engrained in them, find a structured home with discipline hard to handle. Finding Patrick on the streets the other day was a clear picture as to what the alternative to Hope for Life is like. His face was cut and bruised, his clothes were rough and in shambles, and his eyes appeared blank. He was high on something, and unable to form a coherent sentence. We can pray that he eventually chooses to accept the help offered by HFLM, but ultimately it is his choice. He must be able to break the habits and culture engrained in him after being on the streets for a good part of his life. With that said, he has many people at HFLM that care deeply about his future.
While only being in Rwanda for a very short time, it's obviously difficult to become invested in something or truly see the full picture. However, this week served as a snapshot as to the tragic and difficult lives people lead (especially in a country so riddled with poverty), and the incredible work of some organizations to help change this picture. Experiencing HFLM and talking with a myriad of other expats has helped give a sense as to the scale of empowerment and development going on in places like Rwanda. Whether it be a micro finance business or a home for street boys there are so many organizations and people extending hope to those who had none.
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| Hope for Life building Kabuga, Rwanda |
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| Water Filtration System |
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| Benjamin (6) |
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| Chantal, the founder of Hope for Life |
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