A story of flourishing

Although calendar year 2020 was a challenge for all of us, AFRICA SHALOM MISSION was able to distribute 2,701 pounds of rice, 2,701 pounds of maize flour, 1,078 pounds of beans, 1,078 pounds of sugar, 207 liters of cooking oil and 98 bars of soap, as well as pay socially distanced visits to our kids supplying educational material (since schools were closed due to the coronavirus), as well as Christ-centered lessons. We are looking forward to a three-day camp for these kids at the end of the year.

As you can see, your donations contribute greatly to the needs in Jarama and Rusheshe, and actually change lives; One example is a young boy named Shyaka Isaac.

Isaac is a 10-year-old boy, studying fourth grade. Isaac had a bad reputation.

He was well-known for hating religious activities. He never enjoyed prayers, or praise and worship that kids participate in during Africa Shalom Mission’s weekend program. During such times, he would either ask to go for short breaks and never return or he would stay and distract those engaged in the activities. School reports about kids fighting others, using vulgar language, abusing others, being disrespectful to fellow learners and teachers, not being hygienic and hating studies always had Isaac’s name at the top of the list. These identified behaviors were also being observed during the ASM Centre Days.

One teacher proposed that Isaac be suspended from school since his behavior was affecting others.

Ibrahim, an Africa Shalom Mission weekend program facilitator, however, offered to assist Isaac. He began bringing Isaac to the Africa Shalom Mission Centre Days, which occur every Saturday. ASM was challenged to develop a cross-curricular program tailored on both spiritual formation and character development/behavior change.

“Since we had known Isaac’s challenges, we tried to integrate him into our system,” said Ibrahim. “We inspired him by requesting him to take on some leadership roles. He was charged with simple tasks like gathering friends to return to class, inform facilitators whenever it was break or lunch time, sometimes lead opening prayers in his native language (because English was difficult for him) or read the day’s memory verse.

“At times we gave him a chance to choose which role he wished to act out in a bible story skit. Sometimes we requested him to suggest how we can improve our Centre Days. I recall he proposed, ‘buy many balls for us to play and put movies for us to watch when we get tired.’ Upon every accomplishment, we would appreciate his efforts.
“Assigning such specific roles to Isaac helped him to feel responsible, feel loved and empowered. Guidance and counselling would always be extended to him whenever he had failed to play his role or when he misbehaved.”

Interestingly, fellow kids noticed how Isaac was beginning to transform. They felt comfortable being around him, called him to play with them unlike before and proposed some activities for him in different learning sessions.

During the reading buddy learning and bible study activities in their small groups, Isaac’s friends encouraged him to make reading presentations and to give his opinions. This gave him confidence in communication and, at the same time, he felt respected by his fellow ASM supported brothers and sisters.

Today, Isaac is a completely changed person. He takes on and maintains initiatives. He now comfortably leads morning prayers and the praise and worship sessions during our Shalom Centre days gatherings every Saturday. He is cool both at school and in the community. He is not receiving any more bad reports.

“Isaac is now like any other child whose behavior corresponds his age,” said Ibrahim. “The continued guidance through the holy scriptures and expression of love, care and support extended to him I believe has had a significant impact on his life. Class performance records show a steady progress in academics compared to his previous records before initiating him into the Shalom program. We all feel proud of this change and hope to see the unfolding of a greater person in him.”

The change in Isaac also had a positive impact on his mother.

“I almost gave up on him, but as a mum, he was always my concern,” said Isaac’s mother. “I am not a prayerful person, but his behavior turned me around to become one. Thank God it worked. Africa Shalom Mission … helped me to educate my kid from a good private Christian school — Rise To Shine.

“I began to see a smile on my boy’s face. This lightened up my heart and gave me hope that someday he will become a good boy and for sure this is happening now.”

“Africa Shalom Mission activities began changing his life little by little. I remember his first time he went away for a bible vacation school/camp organized by Rwanda Shalom Mission. I got worried fearing that he was to behave badly like before, which would lead to his expulsion from the Shalom program. Thank God it was the opposite. He returned home very happy, wanting to share with us all stories from the camp. I began to see a smile on my boy’s face. This lightened up my heart and gave me hope that someday he will become a good boy and for sure this is happening now.”

As 2021 approaches, we have visions of acquiring land and creating a vocational school where Rwandan kids can acquire a trade that fits their unique gifts and talents. Being skilled in a trade equips them to provide for themselves and empowers them to thrive and contribute to their communities.

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