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Rwanda
Rwanda is a country in central Africa and has 7.2 million inhabitants. It is a landlocked country of 26,338 square kilometres and its economy is predominantly dependant on agriculture.
Abandoned Children has been a critical issue in Rwanda for a long time. It is calculated that about 400,000 children have been abandoned who now face the challenge of impaired development. Rwandan culture used to encourage people to care for the children in their neighbourhood and regard them as their own children. As the years went by, the number of abandoned children increased, outstripping the capacity of society to absorb the numbers of children who needed care.
Who are these abandoned children? They are those who have lost their parents because of war or genocide and who are without support from a responsible parent, guardian or other fit adult person. Some abandoned children are street children and orphans due to illnesses (mostly HIV/AIDS) or poverty. Most of these abandoned children end up on the streets. They may be sexually abused, used as cheap labour and become involved in sniffing glue, drugs and the like.
The Church in Rwanda has been trying to raise awareness about the plight of these children and also giving some material support. The Church has been helping to put some abandoned children in schools, providing uniforms, fees, and some food parcels. Because the Rwandan Government doesn't want to institutionalise children, the Church encourages fostering homes. Fostering helps children to grow up with dignity,and self-esteem. It removes stigma, and brings a sense of identity. It maintains family unity where it is applicable. All these benefits reduce trauma and stress to children. As well as this, some dioceses have started or are planning to start a comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention programme for youth.
Skills are needed in many areas of the Church on how to address the issue of abandoned children. Children who head families and the widows of war and genocide need skills that can help them to earn a living for their livelihoods. The Church’s ministry to abandoned children should aim at creating a generation that fears God and is HIV/AIDS free. This would address the spiritual, social, physical, and cognitive development of a person.
The future of Rwanda lies in the way children are cared for, especially abandoned children. The Anglican Church of Rwanda has joined other churches and other organisations in healing and reconstruction, though there is still a long way to go.
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