In 1994 Rwanda carried a dangerous disease named genocide, its origins were known yet few cared enough to heal the country.  This lead to over 800,000 people being killed by club, knife, machete and gun in 100 days.  Imagining the aftermath is not difficult, yet so many have forgotten about the now peaceful country and the many wounds it still carries.  Shelter Them was formed to help unscramble the lives of the children left orphaned by AIDS, death and poverty, and we believe that they will soon have the hope and joy that every child should have.  

We began after a family trip that changed the way we saw things.  There was a need, so many children didn’t have moms, dads, families, some didn’t even know their real names, and we didn’t like that and decided to do something.  Our family and friends helped us to create our dream of a charity that not only feeds but also teaches, listens and helps the children to have a fair chance in life.  Since 2005, we have had doors open one after the other and many wonderful people have come along side us to help.

On every Friday and Sunday around 100 poor and homeless children come to safely enjoy a hot meal, pray, play and have a time where they can talk seriously with adults who will listen to them and encourage them.  As of 2009, Shelter them is now living up to its name and giving children a home to live in and be loved.  We have 2 homes with 4 boys in one, 4 girls in the other and a mother to care for each home.  These children are given everything they need in life to have a fair chance and to start building a future.  

We believe that the Christian beliefs on which Shelter them is founded on will help not only physically but also emotionally and spiritually.  We consist of 2 teams, in Rwanda we are led by Jenifer, Cesarie and Jules.  In Canada we have Jocelyne, Josephine, Aretha, Andrew and Cindy leading the way to a brighter future.

Our feeding program is where we began and we thank God for this humble start.  About 100 children come on Fridays and Sundays, as well as many volunteers.  It begins at Eglise Vivante in Gikondo with our wonderful volunteers preparing food and lighting the fires to cook over.  They prepare a meal of potatoes, cabbage, beans, plantain and some meat.  During this time, homeless teenagers come to clean, set-up the yard and help out in any way they are needed.  These teens only eat if they work, it is a way of getting them thinking that without work there is no food as well as opens their eyes to helping each other.  They are also offered trades courses in the area and encouraged to help lead in games and singing.  Soon the children arrive, they are signed in and they start to catch up and talk with each other.  During this time we also catch up, we talk with them and get to know them as well as ask about the others who are missing and see what’s been happening on the streets.  Soon Grace is said and the food starts being served.  After this meal, the children get together and have a quick church service and then sing out loud and whoever wants to lead can.  From here they all divide into groups and either talk, sing, have drama dance lessons or play games all led by team leaders.  During this time, we connect and encourage these children, without this time they would not trust us but they open up and we share the love that God gave each of us.

Our housing program is what we feel to be the best way to make a difference in the lives of this generation.  Currently we have two homes, one home with 4 boys and a house mother and another with 4 girls and a mother.  The children were homeless, have no family  and have been chosen by our team in Rwanda.  These children now have beds, clothes, 3 meals a day, school paid for, doctor visits and anything else that they may need.  Also, every house has a loving mother to teach them, cook, clean, watch over and love them.  We will have regular updates about how the children are doing so keep checking in. 

 Our Ngondo Orphanage is another step for us.  It took months to plan and work out the kinks but we are now running a wonderful orphanage led by a great woman named Anonciata.  There are almost 40 children in this orphanage and we as Shelter Them are excited to see our dreams unfold before our eyes.  

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.  There is so much poverty out there that it is hard to know where to start.  We have chosen a place, and it is only by the grace of God that we have been able to do this.  We look forward to the exciting future we have ahead and will continue to prayerfully move forward.  Join us and help us change this world one bite at a time.