As our mini-bus travelled through a winding road in Northwestern Rwanda towards the Congo, we were suddenly jolted by the brakes in a harrowing near-miss of a head-on collision. This tremor jogged the memory of our de-facto guide-for-the-day of his own miraculous near-miss, 28 years prior. It was on this road, that John Baptist (JB) Mugarura, now YFC’s Rwanda Executive Director, was on the run, fleeing a horrific genocide, while helping a group of youth do the same. Standing between them, and the safety of the Congo, was one of the genocide’s deadliest checkpoints. As the group rode on a pile of mattresses in the back of a truck, JB was praying for a miracle.
To his dismay, the driver had to slam on his breaks to avoid a catastrophic collision, sending the kids flying off the truck and on to the roadside. JB felt hopeless as he tried to gather the injured and bleeding youth; but hope was not lost. Another driver emerged – a prominent figure, who recognized JB from the bank where he worked, and he offered to take the group to the hospital by the checkpoint.
Because of the bloody state of the kids and the chaos of the overrun hospital, confusion abounded concerning the children’s identity. As a result, they made it through the checkpoint alive and into the Congo. Providentially, no bones were broken; and all the blood looked worse than it was.
JB is one of many Rwandans who survived the1994 atrocities and genocide that killed over 800,000 people (mainly Tutsis) in 100 days. This left Rwanda with one of world’s youngest populations, to this day.
As I rode the bus that day, listening to JB relive his experience during the genocide, I felt deep gratitude for the vibrant, beautiful country and the safety it enjoys today. While the genocide devastated Rwanda, it did not destroy it – it was, and is, being rebuilt thanks to the incredible fortitude and forgiveness of the Rwandan people and to visionary implementers, like JB.
As part of Youth Unlimited Greater Vancouver, a partner with Rwanda YFC, my purpose on this trip was to learn about the projects and people impacted. As I did, two things became apparent: One, Rwanda is a country filled with resilient and Spirit-led people. Two, in a place like Rwanda, quality Christian education makes a recognizable difference – and the need is high. JB, of course, knew this from day one. Once in the Congo realizing he had not perished, stirred by the Holy Spirit, JB vowed that with each breath he had been given, he would serve the youth of his nation. He promptly joined YFC, never returning to his promising corporate career. Instead, he got to work, partnering with equally loving, sacrificial Rwandans and developing Kigali Christian School (KCS), a now multi-campus school, serving 1,800 K-12 students.
While KCS was established to bring quality education and knowledge of the love of Jesus, it also provides youth from all backgrounds a pathway out of extreme poverty. The vision is simple: education should be available not only for those with means, but also for those otherwise trapped in an impoverished existence.
In 2006 a sponsorship program began. Through it, only $60 CAD/month would provide, not only the scholastic program but access to school nurses, spiritual mentorship, counselling and a hot, nutritious lunch. British Columbians caught the vision and have been sponsoring children through GVYU ever since.
This spring, I got to see the impact of that investment. I met Virginie, a single mother of six, with four kids in the program, who otherwise have no access to meaningful education. Her eldest son, Cédrique, was one of the first sponsor students accepted. Three more of her children have since joined.
Today, Cédrique is a high school graduate, scoring in the top of his class for the national graduation exams. He begins law studies at university this fall. Though his intellect is outstanding, Cédrique’s heart is possibly more astounding. Cédrique was so transformed by the care he received from his teachers and sponsor, he felt compelled to give back. “I learned so much,” he says, “and because I was sponsored, I learned that in the little I have, I can also help others.”
After graduation, Cédrique founded ‘Live for Love’, a group of Rwandan youth who collectively sponsor children to attend KCS. This group of 50 young people, sponsor five children by pooling what small funds they have to make a big difference.
Sponsorship transformed Cédrique’s life: “We really thank God for the sponsors,” he told me. “We always pray for them and we pray that God will bless them, day by day.”
Since the pandemic, KCS has only 235 sponsors for the 300 school spots available. To sponsor a student for $60/month, or to learn more, please visit: www.youthunlimited.com/epsponsorship
Ben Arends is a writer and communications coordinator with Greater Vancouver Youth Unlimited. When not writing and studying politics, he can often be found somewhere on a mountain with his dog, Mondi.
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