In August, All Saints Lutheran will celebrate a Lutheran School in Rwanda, the Rwamagama School. A presentation, by Karl Smith, president of the school board (North America) will be made right after worship service on the 14th, and a picnic will follow
Here is a little background. In 1994 there was a genocide in the country, and nearly 25% of the population was killed. During the genocide period, many people fled to neighboring countries. When peace came about, refugees started returning. The returning refugees from Tanzania were accompanied by six Lutheran pastors from a Lutheran seminary near Arusha, Tanzania. And the Lutheran church in Rwanda was born.
Many efforts have been made since the genocide to build up the infrastructure in the country, including Lutherans starting a school, the Rwamagama School. Fundraising began in 2005, and the first classes started in 2009. Today the school, known as the Rwamagama Leader's school, has 215 students and 35 staff.
Please join us in celebrating this important ministry partner of our Second Mile Giving program.
Although not having a formal celebration this month, we remember Kerry's Kids, our traditional August Second Mile Giving partner. Kerry's Kids was founded by Dr. Kerry Spooner Dean. It is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization that provides free health care and health education to underserved children in the neighborhoods in the East Bay.