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Mothers Union in Blackburn Diocese |
Shyogwe, Rwanda |
Background... |
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Rwanda
Facts |
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| Shyogwe
is a large Diocese in South Central Rwanda.
The MU in Shyogwe Diocese have been working very hard since the genocide to rebuild their lives and those of the many orphans in Rwanda. Mothers' Union projects include raising poultry for eggs and meat, growing beans and tending fish ponds. These help to provide food for families and much needed income. |
The highs and lows of a visit to Rwanda...read more |
Location
Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo ClimateTemperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible TerrainMostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east Natural hazards arise from periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo Population7,810,056 500,000 (2001 est.) are estimated to be living with AIDS. The
life expectancy of total population: 39.33 years Ethnic Groups Hutu 84%, Tutsi 15%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1% ReligionRoman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001) LanguageKinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centres Statistics from T World Fact Book
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| Boys & Girls show their work outside their new building | ||||||
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A new building houses rooms where orphans and others are trained to work in carpentry, building, brick-making, sewing, knitting and embroidery. There is now a shop where their goods can be sold. |
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AIDS is an ever present problem and the church continues to work with affected families.
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The MU encourages opportunities for women to pray and work together towards reconciliation, in a country where the recent past witnessed war and genocide leaving the vast majority of women widowed. Women have many duties and responsibilities bringing up families without husbands. | |||||
Wall Hanging - Gift |
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| This wall hanging was presented to Brenda Entwistle, on her retirement as President of Blackburn Diocese, from the members in Shyogwe. Embroidery silks sent from members in Blackburn were used to complete the project. | ||||||
The detailed work is so accurate that it isn't easy to tell the front from the back at first glance |
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