From Genocide Survivor to Hope Giver | Rwandan Genocide 30th Anniversary

[@jayquinty]

Our first compassion child that my wife and I sponsored in 1992 was in Rwanda. Her name was Umutoni. She was around 4 when we started sponsoring her, and I remember the genocide in 1994 and not knowing for months if she was ok. Thankfully she was, and we sponsored her for several more years until she moved to an area that didn't have a Compassion Intenternational base, so we couldn't continue to sponsor her. This video brought a tear to my eye just imagining what terror those poor children experienced. It is inspiring to see this young man persevere and have a wonderful relationship with Jesus. I'm sure his mother and father would be proud of him.

[@compassioninternational]

Thank you so much for sharing about the time that you sponsored Umutoni. We are so grateful for the love and care that you have for Umutoni, and that you were able to encourage her for many years after the genocide in Rwanda. May God bless you! ~ Kaye

[@minkyann8132]

So happy 🙂to see a video of CI from Rwanda (my favorite country in Africa). I've been to Rwanda, twice, to see my cute sponsored boy Niyonsaba (Niyo for short). I've hiked one of the hills to spend time with his beautiful family. I met the people from his church, and also visited his school. I was full of joy to experience a custom tour visit to see Niyo, again. I love the story shared in this video. It is full of hope and resilience. God bless the person narrating this video. You are a child of God. One day, I will travel again to Rwanda, to see Niyo and his family. I want to thank all the sponsors who viewed this video. You are all awesome in my book.

[@compassioninternational]

Hi Friend. Thank you for your advocacy and support! It was really great to read about the experience you had meeting Niyo. 💙 May God bless you! ~ Kaye

[@DoingMyBestImpression]

Oh, Emmanuel…our Brother and Friend. We thank God for you! We miss you and love you! ❤ Ron and Jan

[@gracielaromero1189]

amazing story may God keep on blessing everyone !!!

[@SHALOMLOVETODAMINISTRIES]

THANK YOU LORD FOR THIS POWERFUL TESTIMONY OF PAIN BEING OVERCOME WITH THE POWERFUL COMPASSIONATE LOVE OF THE KING OF KINGS KING JEHOVAH SHALOM💜💜💜💜✨✨✨✨🛐🛐🛐🛐🕊️✡️✡️✡️✡️🕊️🕎🕎🕎🕎🕊️✝️✝️✝️✝️

[@FatiminaGulo]

Selamat belajar anak anak compassion internasional semoga pintar pintar semua, menjadi anak anak yang yg berbakti dan generasi penerus tuhan Yesus memberkati

[@nadinety9783]

ANAZING GRACE !!! GLORY BE TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS-CHRIST!!!🙏🙏 A Living snd very much encouraging testimony!!! THANKS TO YOU, COMPASSION TEAM ! Keep up the great work, and may our Lord's Grace and Joy be unto you multiplied 🙏 SHALOM!

[@debbie5454]

Beautiful story!

[@lynnmehringer4498]

Is it appropriate to ask our sponsored child, soon to be 18 years old, how his parents/grandparents were affected by the genocide? In his last letter, he wrote "We are currently in the commemoration period of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi." I wouldn't dare ask him if his family was Hutu or Tutsi, not that it matters.

[@Victor_74]

I'm not convinced that the letters you receive come from the child. I say this because I also sponsor a child specifically from a country I am very familiar with and I am yet to get any direct responses to my queries. All I ever get back is very vague and generic verbiage that consists mostly of bible quotes. I'm finding all this very sketchy & considering pulling my contributions.

[@compassioninternational]

@lynnmehringer4498 Hello Lynn, thank you so much for asking. We appreciate your thoughtfulness towards the sensitivity of this topic. You are welcome to ask questions about the history of his country and how his family was affected by those events. We simply ask that you remain diplomatic and tactful as well as sensitive to how this topic may be difficult for him to discuss. We also ask that you please not speak about these topics with prejudice or hostile feelings or opinions. If your sponsored child feels comfortable sharing, then we can choose to answer your questions in a response letter. Please visit cintl.us/letter-faq to learn more. Have a blessed day! -Christina

[@compassioninternational]

@Victor_74 Victor, I’m so sorry to hear that the correspondence experience with your sponsored child has been less than you’ve hoped for. I understand the disappointment of not having your questions answered in letters. Please know that it’s our heart for every sponsor to have the opportunity to build a meaningful relationship through letter-writing. I would truly appreciate the opportunity to look into this situation for you and help you further. Please email us at [e-mail]. Thank you! -Christina

[@lynnmehringer4498]

@@Victor_74 That is unfortunate. We've been sponsoring this child since he was 6 years old, so it has been nearly 12 years now. There's no doubt in our minds that the correspondence we receive is genuine.