The Story of Impact Hope

After hearing the full story of the refugees still living in Rwanda due to the 100 bloody days of genocide in 1994, we learned of information that hit close to home—the area of the D.R. Congo where persecution is the most rampant is a predominantly Christian area. We couldn’t sit idly by, realizing that these 80,000 refugees, spread throughout five camps, were facing hopeless conditions. So we worked closely alongside ADRA Rwanda to implement the Impact Hope program.

While ADRA Rwanda and World Vision provide schooling in these camps, it only went through 9th grade. To continue education so they could leave the camps and find jobs, refugee children would have to walk significant distances to the nearest high school. Along this dangerous route they were vulnerable to victimization and abuse. Young girls have been beaten or raped.

Impact Hope formed to enable sponsorship for these students, sending them to boarding school. There they can enjoy better living conditions, quality education, and an opportunity to learn more about God and His loving plan for them. They can graduate with career eligibility and move their families out of the refugee camps for good!

     Co-founders Hans and Mindy Thygeson