Donate – Select “[24ACC3] Change A Life This Christmas – Special Needs Students in Rwanda and Tanzania“

You represent the face and hands of Christ reaching out to children who have little reason for hope.

In the Mbazi parish in the Huye district of Southern Rwanda, Father Dismas Turinawe, OFM manages a school for 52 disabled children. He and our other Franciscan missionary friars provide home support to another 24 children.

At the Center for Disabled Children in Butimba Parish in Tanzania, Father Alexis Niyongabo, OFM and other Franciscan missionary friars operate a school for 55 children with disabilities.

Rwanda and Tanzania are very poor countries, and the governments do not provide services to help disabled children. During pastoral visits, our friars have met many children with disabilities that are hidden in their homes. The parents are afraid of exposing their disabled children, so they do not take them to school. Some believe the child’s condition is a family curse, and some children are even killed at an early age.

Donate – Select “[24ACC3] Change A Life This Christmas – Special Needs Students in Rwanda and Tanzania“

Fr. Dismas, Fr. Alexis, and our other missionary friars have decided to do something to help these children. First, they encourage the parents by showing them that their child has the same value as any other child.

Some children who attend our schools are not able to speak, feed themselves, or wash themselves. Others have difficulty with mobility because of physical disabilities. Our friars work with the children and their families. The friars work with the children to teach them how to speak, feed, and clean themselves. The children are provided physical therapy to help them with mobility.

The children who are physically able are taught skills such as carving, basket and mat weaving, and sewing so they can provide for themselves later when they become adults.

Donate – Select “[24ACC3] Change A Life This Christmas – Special Needs Students in Rwanda and Tanzania“

Fr. Alexis has requested funding to operate the school in Tanzania for one academic year. It only costs $8,200 to care for and educate 55 children with disabilities! Fr. Dismas has also requested funding to operate the school in Rwanda. It only costs $13,000 to educate and to help care for 76 children!

Would you give a generous Christmas gift today to help our missionary friars care for these children and others living in extreme poverty in our missions around the world?

Disabled and challenged children with little hope now have a chance for a better future. Through your goodness, you provide them with that future.

Donate – Select “[24ACC3] Change A Life This Christmas – Special Needs Students in Rwanda and Tanzania“

I can think of no greater Christmas gift in thanksgiving to God than the gifts of hope and faith you are giving to children. So, I am writing to ask you to support all our Franciscan missionaries by making a generous donation this Christmas.

Your love and generosity make the true joy and hope of Christmas a reality in the lives of suffering children around the world. I hope you can help me by sending a special Christmas donation today. Please know that my prayers are with you and your loved ones now and always, especially during this holy Christmas season.

Merry Christmas

Brother Andrew Brophy, OFM

Executive Director