Story from the field
Compassion’s local church partners are finding creative ways to support children and families during the pandemic. Providing food relief in Rwanda What happens when the only source of food is snatched away by unforeseen circumstances? In the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Rachel lost her income, unable to sell pots and charcoal stoves in the market. She struggled to provide for her children, including Pacifique who is registered with Compassion’s Child Sponsorship Program at the local church.
“I was not able to get food to feed my children and myself. When the lockdown was announced, we were told only people selling food were allowed to sell in the market. This was a blow to so many of us. We hadn’t saved money for such times and we don’t even have a garden to harvest from,”
The pandemic has most affected the children who live in urban town centres and Nkombo Island, where agriculture is limited, leaving families unable to grow their own food. Compassion’s local church partners are providing food supplies to vulnerable families, including Rachel.
“I’m so excited the centre remembered us during this pandemic and have given us food. I give God the glory. We have been given maize flour, beans, cooking oil, soap and sugar. As a mother, I’m very happy that my children are not going to die of hunger,”
Across Rwanda, Compassion has been able to provide food relief to over 10,000 families.