Changing lives

Chris Hoskins reflects on the work of charity Comfort International, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024.

THE charity Comfort International was born in 1999, in the wake of the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994.

During that year, Callum Henderson visited the tiny central African country of Rwanda for the first time; a country still visibly devastated by the brutal killings of five years previously, where over a million people were killed in 90 days.

Besides the deep trauma of people who had experienced one of the worst tragedies in the history of the world, there was also a huge physical need, as the failure of the growing season was leading to starvation and death among vulnerable survivors. Callum mobilised supporters throughout churches in Scotland to raise funds to send food for widows and orphans in desperate need. Comfort Rwanda, as it was then, came into existence.

In the 25 years since then, working with a small team of staff and many committed volunteers, founded on prayer and faith, funded by the generous giving of individuals and churches throughout Scotland and beyond, like those in Sandyhills Parish Church, Glasgow, the charity has grown, but our mission, vision and values remain the same. We long to see wholeness, purpose and unity restored in people and communities across the nations of the world through the powerful love and practical action of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, rebuilding lives devastated by poverty, genocide and conflict. The charity is faith-based and partner-led, working with local partners to find sustainable, long-term solutions.

“ I feel like there is hope because now, instead of planning to do bad, I am able to study at school.

We now work across five countries: Rwanda, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Burundi, three of these being amongst the four poorest countries in the world. In conjunction with nine local partners, our work includes rescue and rehabilitation of street kids, care for vulnerable mothers and babies, community housing and agriculture projects, income-generating activities for women, vocational training for young people, accredited pastors’ training, healthcare via the Central Hospital Rusayu in DRC, the construction and support of schools, feeding projects, rescue and rehabilitation of ex-child soldiers and support for survivors of sexual violence.

Comfort International has raised over £6.5m to provide relief and seek selfsustainability for those we support. Behind the numbers though, lie the individual lives changed.

Adrocella was lured into life as a child soldier in the DRC, but soon realised that the riches she was promised were lies, as she lived in constant fear and danger. She was abandoned by her army group after breaking her leg in a raid, but was taken to hospital where she met one of the Comfort Congo team, who encouraged her to leave life in the militia. She took the brave step of coming onto the Children of Liberty project. Over time, she recommenced her schooling and got her High School Diploma.

Adrocella reflects: “I feel like there is hope because now, instead of planning to do bad, I am able to study at school.” She also works selling mobile sim cards in order to make some money for herself. One of Adrocella’s favourite things to do, like many of the Children of Liberty, is sing in the choir and worship God. She says: “Because of Comfort, I see happiness in front of me, not death.”

In 2012, the Church of Scotland Guild chose ‘Building a Better Rwanda’ as one of their projects. A team of Comfort International speakers criss-crossed the country to speak to Guilds, who raised funds to enable 98 homes for Healing and Reconciliation members to be built.

One of the Guilds they visited was at Sandyhills Parish Church in Glasgow. One of the members there, Rachel Mochrie, says: “Originally the plan was to partner for three years, but we’ve now been supporting the charity since 2011! The need, the vision and the fact that Jesus is at the centre of everything the charity does was a real draw for us to get involved, as well as the fact that Comfort International works with local partners, ensuring where possible that people can become self-sufficient – it’s not just a one-off handout and people are forgotten! Real partnerships and friendships are forged.

“For those who have been out to Rwanda in person, it has radically changed their outlook on life and strengthened them spiritually as they have felt and seen the amazing power of God at work. By sponsoring a young boy, our children are learning the act of giving to help people and actively taking part in fundraising. For the congregation as a whole, they have been greatly blessed and encouraged as they hear all the amazing work God is doing. To date, nine people have visited Rwanda and this year a 15-person team is heading out.”

When asked what she would say to a church or individual thinking of partnering with Comfort International, Rachel says: “Just do it! It will change your life and that of the church and though you work to bless others, the blessings you receive back can’t be measured. The biggest encouragement to our church has been the real and deep relationships that have been built with the projects and people in the Karongi district (our partner community in Rwanda) over the last 11/12 years. Working together with Comfort International has helped the church move towards fulfilling God’s word to bring justice and compassion to the poor and the broken.”

If you would like to get involved with the work Comfort International is doing, you can do so in many ways. Please pray for the work, for our team in Scotland and our partners in Africa. You can keep up to date by following us on Facebook and Instagram, and you can sign up to our newsletter at https://comfortinternational. org/newsletter-signup-form/. Visit our website at comfortinternational.org to find out more and make a regular or one-offdonation. You can even come on a trip to visit our projects! Finally, if you would like to find out more, invite a speaker to your church, or discuss how your church can get involved, please email enquiry@ comfortinternational.org.

Chris Hoskins is Creative Manager for Comfort International.