Solace empowers communities in Rwanda
Solace Ministries is a Christian, non-denominational and non-governmental organization dedicated to providing support, healing, and hope to individuals and communities affected by trauma, loss, and grief. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives, promote resilience, and foster a sense of purpose and meaning.
Our vision is to create a compassionate and inclusive society where individuals and communities affected by trauma and grief are supported, restored, and find solace in their lives.
Approximately, 8 thousand families are linked to Solace Ministries – subdivided into 60 communities; in Eastern, Southern, Western, and in Kigali City in Rwanda.
Comfort Ministries’ Humble Beginnings
December 1994: First set of meetings, prayers, and mourning with eight (8) widows. The Ministry was then called Comfort Ministries.
Solace Ministries Emerges and Supports 45 Children
Regular counseling sessions began. 45 children supported for education. Ministry takes the name of Solace Ministries and a first draft of the constitution of the organization was made.
Solace Ministries’ Official Registration and Outreach Expansion
In June 1996, Solace Ministries is pre-registered as a non-profit organization with the Ministry of Justice in Rwanda.
Outreach programs are established in Kayonza, Rwamagana and Murambi.
Widening Outreach to Nyamata and Introducing Income Programs
Outreach programs to Nyamata, Eastern province of Rwanda.
The first goats (income generating program) were distributed in 1997 in Rwamagana
Acquisition of Headquarters Land and Community Growth
Acquisition of the land (Solace Ministries Headquarters) in Kacyiru, Kigali.
Solace Ministries Communities multiply in Kigali.
Building Solace Ministries Center and Intervention
The building of the Solace Ministries Center starts in Kacyiru, Kigali.
Intervention by Solace Ministries for hundreds of widows’ families that were starving in Bugesera, Kayonza, and Nyagasambu by providing food and agriculture input.
Trauma Healing Camps and Inception of Christian Counseling Center
The first children and youth camps for trauma healing, using games, bible teachings, and sports were organized in Kigali in August 2000.
In December, Solace Christian Counseling Center started to operate with two rooms and a small meeting hall.
Support Program for Orphan-Headed Households Launches
A program for supporting Orphan headed household was started in Kigali and Gasabo
Program Expansion to South Rwanda and Special Initiatives
Extension of our programs to communities in the South and outer Kigali, Nyarugenge district.
Special program for victims of sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS starts with community home-based care.
Capacity building for staff and community leaders begins.
Full Registration, Further Income Generation, and Construction Begins
Solace Ministries is fully registered in the Ministry of Justice (Ministerial Order No. 015/11 of 10/02/03)
Starting of further initiatives for income generation. Groups of women including People Living with AIDS (PLWA) start programs for sewing, soap making, agriculture, baskets, and other handicrafts.
Launch of a pilot cow project in Nyanza.
Stories and testimonies began to be collected and made into a compilation for memory conservation.
Start of the construction of the main hall and offices in Kigali
Community-Based Development and AIDS Care Programs
Solace Ministries now has 42 communities of widows and orphans, with a total of 350 people living with aids under our care.
Community based development programs start.
The Care and treatment program for women and young girls suffering from AIDS due to sexual abuse during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi starts in May 2004.
School Sponsorship and Headquarters Building Completion
The school sponsorship program for orphans has started.
The first building construction at the headquarters in Kigali is finished (now the Guest House)
The staff increases to 12 permanent employees
Care and Treatment Project Commences, and German Medical Team
With the help of PACFA and SURF, the Care and Treatment Project (CTP) started.
German medical team of specialists visit to assist with healthcare.
A demonstration farm was started in Kabuga with six (6) dairy cows.
Expanding to 54 Communities and Establishing Demonstration Farms
Solace Ministries is now operating in 54 communities, with 5,326 families of widows and orphans. The amazing aspect of the new communities is that they were all started by the widows themselves, who have been supported through Solace Ministries.
3 demonstration farms are now operational in the 3 main regional centers: Kabuga, Nyamata, and Nyanza.
Housing for Homeless Families and Nyamata Hall Opening
11 houses for homeless families were completed in Nyamata.
Nyamata Hall, a donation from Drop Inn Ministries, was opened in September 2008.
Support Reaches 8,900 Families, and Solace Medical Clinic Construction Starts
The number of families supported reached 8,900 in 59 communities spread across Rwanda.
The construction of the Solace Medical Clinic in Kabuga began.
Solace Medical Clinic Accredited by Rwanda Ministry of Health
In agreement with the Rwanda Ministry of Health, Solace Medical Clinic was recognized as an accredited health Center that is open to all.
Inauguration of Solace Medical Clinic and Empowering Communities
Inauguration of the Solace Medical Clinic in Kabuga by Honorable Dr. Richard Sezibera, Minister of Health on March 20th, 2011. It was a donation by Drop Inn Ministries, their branch of Isle of Man in the UK.
The year 2011 focused on empowering communities of widows and orphans to reach a sustainable economic status and become self-employed.
A good number of orphans who were supported by Solace Ministries began having families of their own. This is an important step in giving hope and joy.
Socio-economic Development Shift and Entrepreneurship Training
Socio-economic development at the community level has undertaken a new direction with the use of loans for micro business and agriculture. Training in entrepreneurship has also been carried out.
Registration as a Religious-Based Organization and Completion of Oak Tree Hall
With the new law on non-government organizations Solace Ministries is now registered as a religious based organization.
The main Hall at Solace Center, OAK TREE HALL, is completed.
Clinic Building Extension and Opening of Solace Memory Center and Library
Building extension of the clinic at Kabuga started.
Solace Memory Center and Library opened.
Completion of Kabuga Hall and Medical Center Expansion
Kabuga Hall is finished and in use.
Solace Medical Center extension completed to the first floor.
Jubilee celebrations on the 15th September 2015
Number of families cared for, 8,140. Number of communities, 58. Number of orphan-headed households, 57.
Solace Ministries
Solace Ministries has helped about 9,000 families of widows and orphans to restore hope and improve their living conditions through a holistic approach with its various programs.
We have organized survivors into 60 communities across Rwanda, acting as alternative families. The communities are located in 11 Districts in Rwanda.
With regards to education and school sponsorship, more than 4,500 orphans have been enabled to attend formal and informal education of whom more than 500 have graduated from university.
On-going construction of the 40-bed Polyclinic/Maternity Unit.
We have empowered the communities with various income-generating activities, such as farming, livestock, and small businesses, to enable them to become self-reliant. Our micro loan scheme, which started in 2012, has reached a total of RWF 314,000,000 ($336,000) loaned out as a revolving fund.
Solace Ministries has a head office and 4 operational regional centers. The head office is in Kigali which also contains a Guest House. The total number of permanent staff is 74.
We have local and international partners and also work together with friends, Churches, and organizations from Rwanda, the USA, Canada, the UK, Nigeria, the Netherlands, France and Germany.
Meet Our Team
Or how we call it “our second family”.
Our wonderful team is striving to make the best out of your contributions, our partnerships, and our available resources.
Jean Gakwandi
Founder
& President
Neema Florence
Executive Director
Kayiranga Cyusa Lambert
Head of Community Development Department
Alphonsine Kanyange
Head of Finance Department
François Xavier Ndagijimana
Evangelism and Community Outreach program
Florence Neema
Head of Child care and Development
Françoise Dusabirema
Counseling Program
Joseph Museveni
Procurement, Logistics and Maintenance
Claude Rurangirwa
Human Resources
Beatrice
Niyuhire
Guest House Manager
Our vision is to create a compassionate and inclusive society where individuals and communities affected by trauma and grief are supported, restored, and find solace in their lives.
Florence Neema
(Executive Director)
OUR PARTNERS
Our partners enable us to do our daily work through their contributions.
Without the amazing support from our partner organizations worldwide, we could’ve not achieved all the success of the past years. We are forever grateful for their tireless and ongoing support!
