Help still needed in Rwanda almost two decades later

Times Reporter

 

It has been 18 years since the 100 days of genocide raged through the small Central African nation of Rwanda. Approximately 70 per cent of the population was female, many of which were orphaned after the genocide.

Carrie Sproule, from Strathmore, left for Rwanda February 10 and returned on March 10. Sproule went with an International Non-Government Organization (INGO). One of the parameters the Rwandan government set for this INGO to work in Rwanda was that they must work with existing NGOs within the country.   

“We went to work specifically with 10 women we had contact with through a couple of pastors,” said Sproule. 

During the genocide many women were raped and terrorized, and now have little or no education, no extended families and are daily struggling trying to feed their children. 

“This is the present difficult situation for so many Rwandese women.  There were 200,000 orphans and 60,000 widows left after the genocide,” said Sproule.

“These 10 women have come in their lives to a new place of faith and they no longer want to live and work the way they have been to feed their children.  Our purpose was to minister to the 10 women, showing them that they are loved and cared for. ”

A group of eight women traveled to Rwanda from Calgary and area. 

“One of the things we did before we left was raise sponsorship money for these ten women, most of it coming from Strathmore, Crowfoot, Dalmead, Rosebud and Rockyford.  The majority of the money came from this area,” said Sproule.

“$12,000 was raised, $100 a month per woman for one year to provide rent, food, and schooling for their children, setting the women free from worry so they can then concentrate on some training for themselves.”

A training centre has been set up that will eventually become a co-op. When the women have a trade they will then have some way to support themselves, which was another purpose of the journey to Rwanda.         

Sproule said, “It will be an ongoing project.” A teacher has been hired to help train and teach the women. Learning to sew will be one of the things the women are taught. 

“We’re hoping to give them some English lessons and upgrading in school, how to work with budgets and just a few things that will help  them to be able to one day have their own little business. When we get these 10 women through there are more waiting.”

The women of Rwanda also received another treat, one that many of us women here may take for granted.  

“When we asked what we could bring with us they replied, ‘bras, bring bras,’” said Sproule.

 “So we put the word out and I’m sure we had between 500 and 800 bras that we took into the country, it was so fun to watch the delight of the women.”

Sproule would like to return to Rwanda again in February when another woman’s group will be making the trek.  

“I have worked in many countries, and have learned that if you can return a second time to a country it means so much to the people. If you come just once its nice but if you come again it’s wonderful,” said Sproule. 

In the meantime Sproule is working on raising the wage for the teacher, which is $300 per month, as well as many other ongoing projects she will be seeking to raise sponsorships for.  If you are interested in helping in any of these she can be contacted at (403) 934-3219.