The youth visit to Rwanda in the summer of 2008 now seems a long way away. However all of us who took part in the visit agreed that- when we had seen evidence of— heard stories of events that had happened and met with the people — we could not come home and forget them.

The generosity of the church people before our visit was overwhelming, helping us raise, in a variety of ways the necessary funds for us to embark on our 3 week Rwanda Experience. We also appreciated the generosity of The Circuit in paying our air fare.

As we visited a number of projects run by PHARP, the hospital at Kibegora, the refugee camp, villages and churches, it became apparent that help of varying natures was required.

After discussion, those of us representing St Johns decided we would like to provide knitted items for the premature baby unit at the hospital, as many of those tiny babies didn’t have any clothes, and those that did were totally engulfed by what they were wearing, The hospital staff told us that many of the children admitted to the hospital were very poorly dressed, therefore they try to send them home with a better set of clothes.

Response to our-appeal for knitted items has been tremendous, with all sorts of people getting involved — the first batch of clothing was delivered by Brian Dawson (I’m sure many of you have seen the photographs on display) The next lot will be taken in the next 2 or 3 months

Secondly we decided to try and help the women at the refugee camp who really have very little hope for the future but are determined not to give in. They currently hire a knitting machine to provide some of the women with work and have setup a small business in the most appalling conditions you can imagine. This part of our appeal also included the orphans at PHARP. This group of young people embark on a one years sewing course to enable them to get work in the community when it is completed.

With these two groups in mind we appealed for old knitting machines and treadle sewing machines. Phil will be testimony to the fact that this appeal has also been successful (he is at present storing them in his garage) We have 6 sewing machines and at least 10 knitting machines ready to be sent out. Two knitting machines were actually taken back to Rwanda with Anastase after his visit.

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