Long-Term Earning and Learning
Adult Programs
Enabling Hope
By Cultivating Opportunity
God as already planted the seeds of potential into our community.
We are creating environments where that potential can thrive. We have not only been entrusted with instructing students – we have been tasked with more.
In the summer of 2018, more than 60 men attended our inaugural Men’s Ministry outreach event. 20 of these men indicated that they had never walked through our gates before this event, and we welcomed them with open arms. Chaplain Shema led a breathtaking competition with four football/soccer teams playing each against other and then shared a message of hope in Jesus.
This event served as the foundation for our “Men of Hope” outreach program, which is changing the lives of men throughout our community. This club is reaching men in the community who attend discipleship meetings, receive entrepreneurship training, and participate in savings groups. Many of them worked and saved together and eventually earned their own bicycles to use for taxi businesses in the village. Today, they meet each week for accountability, continuing education and spiritual formation.
The Men of Hope savings group developed policies to govern their group and a financial tracking system to monitor their participation. They also committed to visiting the home and family of one member each week. Recently, a group of Men of Hope members went to another member’s home and contributed funds to help with a child who was hospitalized. Chaplain Shema said, “[The Men of Hope member] was very happy for the help and support that he received from his fellow men.”
They also started another creative outreach platform: A soccer team! More than 45 men attended the first Monday and Wednesday afternoon practices. They organize games against other teams and Chaplain Shema shares a Christian message with new men following practices.
- Five groups meet on a weekly basis
- Savings to-date is 20,866,450 RWF (equivalent to nearly $22,000 USD)
- Savings are used to pay for items such as health insurance and school fees for those who have children
- Savings help members upgrade trade skills and home renovation
- There have been nearly 100 new local business start-ups by members of our groups. These businesses range from selling produce, breeding animals, starting sewing shops and investing in agriculture.
The savings groups not only provide access to financial services, they also play a big role in the transformation of the community, mentally, socially and spiritually.