Check out How two twin sisters are giving hope to vulnerable children through Shelter Them
Shelter Them Batarure Rwanda is located in Bugesera District, on land acquired through a presidential pledge. It provides shelter, education, and care for orphans and children with disability.
Except for providing him with shelter and food sometimes, Iradukunda’s grandparents could not afford education that would help advance his ambitions to become a journalist. After losing his mother and brother to death at a young age, Iradukunda’s life seemed less hopeful than ever.
“That spirit we saw in our mother went with us everywhere. When we returned to Rwanda in 2005 for the first time, we were moved to make our contribution through offering a little bit of help and stability to children who were going through hardships we were so familiar with,” they said.
They are also raising funds to construct a primary school, all in the interest of ensuring that the children receive a quality education. Also, individual sponsorship has already been obtained for 100 children by well-wishers.
I’ve achieved my dreams, and I can’t help but dream bigger. I’ve actually realized that I’m capable of accomplishing anything. However, for any child at Shelter Them, dreams become more attainable when someone believes in you and chooses to bet on you without expecting anything in return,” Iradukunda said.
In response, Shelter Them established cooperatives for vulnerable parents whose children they care for through community development. Some were empowered with support in establishing small businesses or plots of land for agriculture and farming in order to ensure collective family support.
Iradukunda who grew up from an impoverished family lacked even the most basic of needs. His mother, who had to primarily take care of Iradukunda’s brother who had a disability, sent him to live with his grandparents with hope he would receive better care with them.