Refugee Students
Location: Cedar College of Education, South Africa
Timeline: On-going
Status: Currently operating
Topics: Relief aid for the poor, Christian education
The Need
War, violence and persecution are effective tools of Satan in Africa, where there are constant political power plays that typically result in death and destruction for civilians. These terrorist events, such as the Rwanda genocide or the persecution of the Southern Sudanese by their own government, create multitudes of refugees and displaced people groups. In many cases, youth are captured and forced to murder their family members, neighbors and friends, then to serve in the very army that forced them to do these things! If they are fortunate enough to escape, they have no where to turn and no future to look forward to.
The Description
Cedar College is a ministry of KwaSiazabantu in South Africa. KwaSiazabantu is a large ministry in South Africa that ITMI has had a relationship with for quite some time. These refugee students have the opportunity to learn job skills from a Christian perspective, as well as Christian leadership skills that will help them provide spiritual leadership in Africa, as well. These students have expressed a desire to serve the Lord in areas of need. Some feel called back to their homes in Sudan or other war-torn areas, while others are still open to the Lord’s leading.
Goals
- Educate refugee students to return to war-torn areas and minister as an educated member of society.
- Use their education to help and share the gospel with the needy.
Needs
- Financial support to cover tuition.
- Prayer for diligence in their studies.
- Prayer for those left behind in war-torn areas.
Who’s Involved
- ITMI to provide guidance and U.S. exposure
- Kjell Olsen to provide guidance and distribute funds.
- Peet Botha, Cedar College’s Administrator, to oversee the students in their studies.
The Stories
Several students are still being sponsored through In Touch Mission International’s Refugee Student project. However, since the inception of the program, several have completed their degrees and are serving in various countries, including Sudan.
Manasse Mukeshimana was orphaned in the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. After a difficult journey to South Africa, Manasse was given the privilege of attending Cedar College of Education. He graduated in November 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Manasse says, “By God’s grace I have not successfully completed the course. I don’t have the proper word to express my full thankfulness and joy from heart, but ionly trust the Lord will reward you heavenly. I accept the responsibility to serve the Lord fully and in truth in the field of education, wherever the Lord might send me.”
Joseph Archippus was born the third of seven children in Yei, Sudan in 1974. As a young man, he was forcefully recruited to fight against the “Christian Rebels”, and was severely injured by police officers in the process. He suffered several fractures, a shattered cheekbone, a ruptured eye socket and a broken leg. Although he lost contact with his family when he fled Sudan in 1990, he believes that they have since fled to Uganda. While attending Cedar College, he excelled with distinction. Currently, he is teaching and proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ in schools in Sudan.
Hillary Lukudu was born in Sudan in September of 1977. His father died when he was very young, but by the grace of God his family preserved. Before leaving Sudan, he was arrested and interrogated in the Islamic military barracks. By the miraculous intervention of one of the security personnel, the persecution was ended and he managed to flee the country and make the long arduous journey to South Africa, where he had the opportunity to attend the Cedar College of Education. Currently, he is using his degree in Education to teach and propagate the truth of the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ in Sudan.
Towongo Leonard fled his village in Southern Sudan in 1998, afraid he’d be slaughtered by government troops. Towongo reached South Africa in May of 2002, and began working at a low-wage, menial job to survive. Seven months later, the Lord opened a way for him to study at Cedar College of Education. He is currently in his final year of the education program. Towongo says, “It has not been an easy experience … I thank God and those who are helping me study. I have nothing to give in return but I will only praise God and to do unto others what has been done to me with thankful heart.”
