The Village of Hope is a self-sustaining, holistic model providing for the complete needs of the child, widow and community. The village currently has 28 homes, which includes facilities for counseling, skills training, as well as work opportunities, a clean water source and electrical power.

The Village of Hope project aims at providing much needed housing, healthcare, education and community for widows and orphans, as well as supporting the head of the household to take responsibility for themselves and their village. 

The homes themselves accommodate one family unit, with an average of 6 people per house. Families consist of up to 8 children and a housemother, or a sibling headed families headed by the eldest sibling (over 18). The houses have three bedrooms, a kitchen, living area and bathroom. Each house has tank water and will have electricity - an uncommon amenity in Rwanda. They are made of brick with shutters, porches, flowerbeds and clotheslines. The houses come fully furnished with bunk beds for the children, living and dining room furniture.

HOPE: Global is assisting and training Rwandans to build sustainable homes that will last the test of time. By working on the Village of Hope, Rwandans are developing their skills in the building trade, and by employing locals from the community, the Village of Hope is helping to provide much needed employment opportunities and at the same time provide hope for the widows and orphans that occupy the completed homes.

PICTURED: WIDOWS AND CHILDREN AT THE VILLAGE OF HOPE

HOPE: Global - Village Of Hope from HOPE: Global on Vimeo.

Link Ministries

The Village of Hope was born out of consultation with Link Ministries and HOPE: Global to address a major need in the community for safe and secure housing for widows. Link Ministries is a local Rwandan Christian organisation committed to the rebuilding of Rwanda after the tragic genocide of 1994. Their major goals are: Healing, Reconciliation and Holistic community transformation. We are so happy to partner with Link Ministries and to have achieved so much together.

The widows and orphans are selected by Link Ministries and a co-operative of Rwandan widows who prioritize them according to need. Link Ministries appoints the widows and orphans to the homes, and ensures their continued well-being.  The widows are trained to maintain the homes, and farm the surrounding land to provide them with an income.

FUTURE PLANS