Connecting Madison and Rwanda
With hundreds of new sponsors who made commitments in 2008 (during the Step Into Africa HIV/AIDS Experience), our local sponsor group gained new energy and momentum. There are about 600 sponsors and half a dozen churches from Madison who have joined together to support World Vision’s work in three neighboring Rwandan communities.
This website provides information about Madison area activities of interest to World Vision sponsors of children in Rwanda, as well as links to information about Rwanda and the work World Vision is doing there.
MADISON AND WORLD VISION/RWANDA
Over 600 children served by World Vision programs in southwest Rwanda are sponsored by people with ties to Madison. Our sponsors know they are making a difference. The children live in three adjacent rural communities: Nyamagabe, Karaba and Nyaruguru, each with a population of approximately 35,000.
The World Vision Area Development Programs in these communities serve the neediest children. Many children have lost one or both parents, some during the genocide and others from illnesses, including HIV/AIDS.
Working with other community agencies and volunteer mentors, World Vision ensures that the children have food, clothing, shelter, health care, education and adult guidance.
The results of the program are apparent. Children who were once desperately poor and traumatized now have food, shelter, clothing and adults in the community who care for them. Children who once lacked the money for school fees and uniforms, or stayed home to care for ill parents, are now regular students.
Hope is replacing fear. The stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS is giving way to knowledge, understanding and compassion.
ACTIVITIES FOR MADISON AREA SPONSORS
We regularly hold activities of interest to Madison sponsors each year. Sponsors and others interested in the project are welcome. We hope you’ll join us!
In addition to learning about Rwanda and the work World Vision is doing there, you’ll have a chance to talk with people who have visited the World Vision projects, and with other sponsors. Many sponsors find the sponsorship experience more fulfilling as they participate in activities with others who share their interest in and commitment to the children of Rwanda.
FEBRUARY 2009
We were very excited that Ananias Sentozi, head of U.S. partnerships for World Vision Rwanda, visited us in Madison. From 2000-2007, Ananias served as director of the World Vision Area Development Program in one of the communities where some of our sponsored children live. He knows firsthand the challenges facing our sponsored children and their families, and is an expert on World Vision’s approach to transforming lives and communities. Ananias spoke at two events for sponsors, as well as a breakfast for Madison area pastors and church leaders.
2009-2010 TRIPS TO RWANDA
The 2009 and 2010 group trips from Madison WI were cancelled due to scheduling conflicts with events in Rwanda, and national Rwandan elections in 2010.
SPONSORSHIP
If you would like to sponsor a child (or sponsor an additional child) through the Madison Community Partnership with World Vision, please contact Sarah Spencer at 608-831-1797 or otisitis@charter.net. Sponsorship is open to all! The cost is $35 per month. As a sponsor, you will receive an annual progress report concerning your child as well as replies to any letters you send.
ABOUT WORLD VISION
World Vision is an international Christian humanitarian organization that serves people regardless of race, religion, ethnic group or gender. World Vision works in almost 100 countries. Information about World Vision is available at www.worldvision.org.
There are 15 World Vision Area Development Programs in Rwanda, serving a total of 600,000 people.
How We Started
The partnership between Madison and World Vision in Rwanda began when Dale Chapin (pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison) traveled to Nyamagabe, Rwanda, with World Vision in 2004. When he returned, was surprised by how many church members were interested in sponsoring children there. It was the first of many surprises.
The Nyamagabe Partnership was formally created in 2005, with Christ Presbyterian Church agreeing to raise funds for WORLD VISION’s work in Nyamagabe and seek additional sponsors. Beginning in 2005, Christ Presbyterian has provided $66,000 per year for community-wide projects in Nyamagabe. By early 2008, the number of Nyamagabe sponsors with Madison ties had grown to 280.
Step Into Africa, April 2008
Last April, nine Madison churches joined together to bring World Vision’s Step Into Africa exhibit to Madison. Blackhawk Church hosted the exhibit. More than 3900 Madison residents toured the exhibit during a four day period, assisted by over 300 volunteers from the nine churches.
360 new sponsors signed up during the exhibit. These significant numbers more than doubled the size of the existing sponsor group, and over 600 Rwandan children are now sponsored by people with ties to the Madison area. Our sponsors represent 24 churches and several community organizations.
Learn about the partnership Task Force