A Day at the Vocational School

In Rwanda, as in many African countries, it is not uncommon to come across "street kids" on your way to town or the market. Many of these kids have no family to care for them  and no place to go, so they end up begging on the streets, often getting into trouble, and leading a life consumed with prostitution, drugs, or violence. In an effort to end the vicious cycle, the church who we partnered with on our trip, has built a Vocational School where children can be sponsored to come, learn a trade, and go on to support themselves and their families with their newly learned skill, instead of resorting to other means. It is a way that they can gain accomplishment, honest work, and esteem within their community, but most importantly, while at the school, they hear the message of Jesus. They are able to spend time among peers who share similar stories, encourage one another, and be experience the love of Christ as the people within the church, teachers, and community pour into them during their stay. We had the privilege of visiting the school, meeting many of the students, sharing our stories with them, and hearing theirs.

 Cooking and sewing are pictured above, and those training to be electricians and carpenters are pictured below, just a few of many trades offered at the school. Liberty University sells shoulder bags in the bookstore that are made by the women here who go to or have graduated from the sewing program. This helps them to pay school fees or get on their feet when just starting out their new business.

After meeting many of the students, we had a chapel service where we danced and sang with the students, sheared some of our testimonies, and passed out cycle beads. We had hand made and prayed over each bracelet prior to our trip, with the help of many gracious Liberty University students who volunteered to help. These bracelets, or cycle beads, help provide education and understanding, and allow the girls to plan accordingly for their monthly cycle, as missing school is often an issue for this reason. We also brought lots of women supplies that were donated. We were able to explain to each woman, how just like we have patterns for sewing or welding or wood-working or building, God also created each of our bodies with patterns. And He has made each and every one of us with remarkable design and uniqueness in His own image.