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rwandaexpress
A former Methodist Local Preacher Maralyn Bambridge, based in Suffolk, UK who runs Engalynx a charity was presented the 2012 Inspire Award, by John Carrington from Colchester for helping Rwandan orphans to have a better life- this August 2012.
Maralyn started her charity in 1988 after learning about the aftermath of the Rwanda’s 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and the long term effect including; poverty, HIV/ AIDS and leaving most children orphaned.
Moved by the plight, Maralyn wanted to do something to help. She started the charity Engalynx to raise funds and appeal for educational and health equipment.
From onset Engalynx has helped to set up and equip three nursery schools by providing items such as blankets, toys and goats for families, start an orphanage and get training schools off the ground to teach teenagers skills like carpentry and sewing.
Maralyn visits Rwanda every year to take out supplies, look at current projects and to listen to local people to find out what the current needs are.
She was currently in Rwanda finalising plans for a maternity unit, which has been approved by the local authority and targets to conclude building it by June 2013-forming part of what will eventually become a health centre.
“There are many needs in Rwanda, but Engalynx is concentrating for the moment of the health needs of the population of Mwulire Sector, in the Eastern Province of Rwanda,” says Maralyn. “This sector consisting of 30 villages, has a population of about 19,000 without any health care.
“The cost of the full health centre is about £500,000 but I agreed with the local authority that we could build block by block as allowed. I now have sufficient funding for the maternity block.”
Maralyn regularly speaks to churches, schools, rotary clubs and other groups to appeal for funds and equipment and enlists the help of experts, such as surveyors, whenever she can.
“My text for the charity letterhead and brochure comes from Jesus,” she says.
She is trying to walk the Bible teaching on the Judgement in Matthew 25:39-41. “It is quite clear that every time we help anyone, we are serving Jesus. This has been my ethos behind Engalynx. There are, of course, so many other words of our Lord that instruct us to care for each other.”
“The need for help in Rwanda was brought to me personally and I see that as a very definite call from God. I could not ignore this and have been so wonderfully rewarded with all my prayers for the charity answered.
“Whenever there has been a problem or need God has been there. That does not mean that everything has gone smoothly, but that I have been given the strength, contacts, skills or whatever else has been needed to cope and overcome.”
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