Rwanda Sewing Machine Update

On Monday, October 31st, we travelled from Kigali to Kimonyi Village once again.  Through Prison Fellowship Rwanda, The Word for All Nations was able to deliver ten industrial “Singer” sewing machines that will be used by a women’s co-op at Kimonyi Village.  The villagers met us in the same field where they like to perform, and Gerrit was able to officially hand over the machines and pray a blessing on their use in the community.  In addition to the delivery of machines, WordFan donors also provided for six months of training on the machines at Kimonyi Village.  Our prayer is that these machines will enable people in Kimonyi to create opportunities for income and the betterment of their lives.

The next day, we travelled from Kigali to the very remote Kageyo Reconciliation Village, in the eastern part of Rwanda.  Unlike Kimonyi in the west, the terrain is much more flat and barren, making daily survival an even more difficult prospect.  WordFan previously donated four sewing machines to Kageyo and were able to donate six more.  Gerrit and Thabo were overjoyed to see that the previously donated machines had been placed in a workshop especially built for the women’s co-op.  The women showed us some of their first pieces, including bags and shirts.  They are still being trained and look forward to a bright future.  Our prayer for Kageyo is that they will find the resources to market their wares in more populous areas and that Prison Fellowship Rwanda will be instrumental in their marketing success.