A TAVISTOCK churchman who has spent much time in the last few years working for the poor of Rwanda is launching an appeal for cash and help.
Pastor Colin Bond, of the Community Church at the King's, Pixon Lane, Tavistock, has been to Rwanda several times since the genocidal slaughter of the mid-1990s in which a million died.
The church was in danger of collapse in that country as so many church leaders had been killed.
Mr Bond worked with the Rwandan church of the Family of God, under 'Papa' Zacharias Sadiki, to rebuild Christianity there and has enabled the establishment of many new churches in Rwanda and neighbouring African countries.
Several Rwandans have also visited Tavistock as part of the collaboration, including Mr Sadiki and his wife, Violette,
Mr Bond's first aim was to find potential church and community leaders who could take responsibility for managing regeneration projects.
Now he wants to raise money to pay for those projects and recruit volunteers — doctors, teachers, students — who are willing to spend some time in the country to help the Rwandans and lend their expertise.
'So far we have been trying to teach them the principles, now we want to be able to give them the materials as well,' said Mr Bond.
He wants to channel the money into schools, clinics and dispensaries in Rwanda, Burundi and Congo. There are virtually no hospitals in Rwanda; many people die of disease or starvation.
The Tavistock church has already raised around £20,000 for the cause, which has allowed a new school to be opened in Rwanda. It has also given a minibus, computers and printers, hairdressing tools, a camcorder — all things which may contribute to making an income, in a country where unemployment is at 70 per cent.
'There is no limit to the amount needed,' said Mr Bond. 'If we had £20-million it would be soaked up.'
The long-term effects of the genocide are obvious just from the age structure of the population. 'My wife, Joy and I — we are in our sixties — were among the oldest. Most people are dead by 50. There are thousands and thousands of orphans.'
The problem for the relief effort is, he said, to find where money will be responsibly used and not disappear into private pockets. Even some church leaders will ask a visiting English churchman, 'What have you got for us?'.
The mission has not been easy. Two years ago Mr Bond had a death contract put on him after a dispute over the distribution of aid which he had brought. Later the man who made the threat apologised and asked for forgiveness.
On the last trip from which Colin and Joy Bond have just returned their minibus broke down on a country road, causing them considerable annoyance. Afterwards they learned that if they had been half an hour further on they would have run into a gun battle. 'We stopped grumbling when we heard that.'
Terrorist skirmishes are still common, but the Africans do their best to look after their valued guests.
Mr Bond wants to strengthen the tie by setting up a twinning agreement between Tavistock and Rwanda's capital Kawembe. It would be the first time a British town had twinned with one in Rwanda. The arrangements are being worked on.
Tavistock people have also helped in smaller ways, but nonetheless appreciated. Charlie Snell, a stallholder in the market, gave Colin Bond a bargain price for some furry hats which were sent to the Rwandan children and which they wore proudly for Mr Bond to photograph.
The Bonds expect to be back in Rwanda next year — and despite all the hardships and difficulties, look forward to it.
'They are very poor, but rich in character,' explained Joy.