Filed under: Bishop John Rucyahanna | Tags: a thousand hills, accomodation in ruhengeri, anglican church, john rucyahanna, kigali, moses tay, never silent, ruhengeri, Rwanda, school in rwanda, sonrise school, steven kinzer
Handing book ceremonyBishop and team Singapore discussing synergies
I finally met Bishop John Rucyahanna
When Alan first considered coming to Rwanda, Bishop Moses Tay gave us a book called “Never Silent”. It is such a powerful book. That was my first introduction to a man named John Rucyahanna. Subsequently, I read another book called “A Thousand Hills” by Steven Kinzer. This second book also had a section where they interviewed this man. Believe me, this is one awesome man.
John Rucyahanna is a man of God. If it is God’s principles, and should anyone try to violate them, even at the expense of losing sponsorship – something that is needed in African churches, he will not keep silent. This man suffered much in the genocide years – losing family members, losing home and country. He has been a refugee, a baker, a teacher and obviously a pastor. Through it all, he kept his eyes focussed on God. One of the first things he did was to set up a school for orphans when he returned to Rwanda post 1994. This is no ordinary school. He came back to a broken country, and many, many orphans. This visionary understood that if no one loved these orphans, no one helped them heal from the trauma, they will be a major social problem for the country. So he set up a school, brought the orphans in and gave them an education, telling them that they can be leaders and entrepreneurs – giving them a dream and a hope. The school is called Sonrise School. In no time it became one of the best schools in Rwanda, with many clamouring for a place. Today, Sonrise school has some 1000 students, half of whom are orphans.
The more I read about him, the more I thought that this incredible man must be very intense and fiery. I did not expect such a jovial man with a twinkle in his eye, and a warm, welcoming voice. He does not mince words – he willingly shares with you the limitations of the Rwandans, he understands the difficulties we face when dealing with local issues. At the same time, he reminds us the focus is the redemption of Rwanda – and that definitely includes social and economic redemption. Essentially, he is reminding us that we should not tire of doing good. He may be a bishop, but he is also an astute businessman. Very frankly he tells us he needs to equip the people to earn a living – to be financially strong. He is very clear about the way ahead. To rebuild Rwanda, you need to rebuild the people. His eyes show sorrow, and a little anger when he shares how the children of the egg seller may never have eaten eggs. The priority is to get himself a beer, not nourishing his kids with eggs. This is part of the social ill that needs to be corrected.
He is indefatigable in getting there. His school now runs programmes for primary to secondary students. Soon they will also have A level classes. A university is being built, and he runs a classy lodge. This is where he hopes to train his students in vocational training, in hotel and catering perhaps.
Incidentally, this former baker must have taught his staff well. The muffins they sell are the best in all of Rwanda. The fragrance just lured us to peek into the kitchen. The chef promptly offered us some freshly baked ones and we were sold. Needless to say, we bought a whole lot!
Ps will upload pics later – the camera is not with me – so visit this space if you wanna see his photoo
