Africa Hope Gate of Hope Ministries – Occupational Training
Gate of Hope Ministries exist to create an environment where Rwandan and other oppressed African individuals, families and communities are equipped and empowered to live out a more spiritually fulfilled, socially connected, and economically stable life in order to holistically transform their communities and nations. Children’s Ministry: Gate of Hope focuses on orphans, those who have parents that have been in prison since 1994, and those who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. Our staff makes sure that parents/relatives/guardians of children are visited to establish a working relationship. Counseling sessions are done individually or in groups for children who have undergone traumatic experiences or acquired dangerous habits like stealing or smoking. In collaboration with the parents, Gate of Hope staff visit the children we support in schools to ensure their performance is within acceptable standards. Weekly meetings and other spiritual development activities are conducted with children. Children learn and experience how to live at peace with each other regardless of their differences and conflicts. Children who are elected by their peers, learn at the early age to mediate conflicts and earn respect from their peers. To help the women who attend the sewing school and those who go out for different jobs, Gate of Hope supports a kindergarten at the Gasabo center where the sewing school is located. Children learn the Biblical truth, Christian songs, and they also get prepared for primary education. Children also get a male and a female rabbit to care for and sale the babies to generate income. Youth and Young Adults’ Ministry: Young people are involved in peer mediation and conflict resolution trainings. They receive comprehensive care and support for people living or caring for their family members with HIV/AIDS. They discuss ways to deal with and fight HIV/ADS. The clubs serve youth from diverse backgrounds in the project location in a holistic manner targeting personal growth and development of the members. Youth Sewing school: Young girls and women come to “Ibyiringiro” (hope) vocational school to learn sewing skills. The first group graduated last year 2008. There is also a need to support graduates who do not find a job by providing them with $120 to buy a sewing machine. Women ministry: Ibyiringiro, which means Hope in Kinyarwanda, is an initiative to reach out to poor women in Rwanda to help them to overcome the trauma of war, HIV/AIDS, and poverty. By teaching poor women to sew and providing them with a venue for selling their products, the women will become self-reliant and adopt a spirit of peace and reconciliation and contribute to the healing and restoration of their country. Gate of Hope Ministries supports groups of women who are a model in revolutionizing maternal and child health in the poorest communities. Those women start associations and Gate of Hope supports them and provides training for marketable skills. We strive to bring enlightenment and life to many. We reach into the heart of the community and promote grassroots initiatives. Groups of mothers are coordinated and encouraged to pray for their children, their schools and their teachers. Gate of Hope Ministries also organizes different retreats and conferences for women. |
