Rwanda Orphan Care Initiative Most people have a difficult time imagining the orphaned children in Rwanda. It is difficult to fathom a day without food, clean water, education or a mother or father saying, “Good Night”. One million children in Rwanda are orphaned, without anyone to care for them when they fall down, are hungry, sick, or need protection from the pouring rain. They have no hope for a home and a family. The church in Rwanda, through the PEACE plan, has invited a partnership that will change the lives of children for the good. The Rwanda Orphan Care Initiative seeks to initiate and support church-based interventions for orphans and vulnerable children in Rwanda so that loving families, social support and developmentally appropriate solutions can be provided for the global glory of God. Collaboration with external partners will increase the capacity and effectiveness of family-centered, church-focused interventions. The churches in Rwanda are the most influential source of care and support. As the distribution center for Hope in a community, the local church is best able to identify needs and support interventions. The Rwanda Orphan Care Initiative works with the Local Churches of Rwanda, The Government of Rwanda (represented by the Ministry Gender and Family Promotion), and the Rwandan Steering Committee (cross-denominational church leadership team) and aims to: • Provide a new model of sponsorship which sponsors children directly through the local church • Promote Church-based systems of home care/foster care • Develop drop in programs and transition family care for street children • Promote domestic adoption (adoption by families in Rwanda) • Facilitate the establishment of an international adoption agency • Increase the training of orphanage workers & ultimately eliminate the need for orphanages • Enhance technical school and other life skills training through the Church • Prevent future children from being orphaned through education and HIV treatment for expectant mothers • On-going collaboration and research in child development and health