Burundi Home Care Graduation 2013

This is the fifth graduating class from the Sewing Program at Home Care. Forty-two students received their certificates in an energetic ceremony lasting about three hours. There were songs, prayers, dances, speeches, a drama performance, gifts and even a fashion show. The students were more than aware of the tremendous life-change they had experienced since coming into the program ten months ago. Each of them is a widow, an orphan, or both. Life before was a meager existence, characterized by abandonment, abuse, hunger and shame. As one beaming woman posed for a picture with a sewing machine like each will receive, she said, “this is my new life now.” But their new lives have been enriched by more than new sewing machines or even new skills. They have found “parents” in their teachers and “sisters” among their classmates. Most of all they have discovered that they have a Heavenly Father that loves them, and who shows them his love through the healing embrace and caring voice of real people.  One hundred and seventy three such women have now graduated from this program and we have heard many of their stories. Without exception we could see that the program had equipped them to have an honorable income and the dignity that had always eluded them. We thank God that we could be a part of this special day.