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Canyon Hills enjoys a wonderful relationship with Jack Hanna and the Columbus Zoo in support of the Ubumwe Community Center (UCC) and Children’s School in Gisenyi, Rwanda. The UCC was founded by Frederick Ndabaramiye and Zacharie Dusingizimana who are survivors of the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Not willing to remain captive to hate and anger, Frederick and Zacharie turned toward forgiveness and action. Feeling lucky to be alive, they wanted to help those like themselves. Partially because of the genocide, Rwanda has a disproportionate number of physically and mentally disabled people and most are street beggars. With the support of the Columbus Zoo’s Partners in Conservation, Frederick and Zacharie founded The Ubumwe Community Center as a place where these people are given an alternative, where they can be educated, learn skills and ultimately work, generating a sustainable living for themselves and their families. Today Frederick and Zacharie speak internationally and are mentors to young people everywhere. They teach that a disability of spirit is far worse than one of the body. Frederick models his triumph over physical limitations through his painting, his love of life and his fearlessness.

In 2017 Frederick and Zacharie visited Canyon Hills for the first time. Friendships and bonds were formed and our first Rwandan Fete was held to raise money for the UCC. Funds raised have supported two cooks at the UCC, the purchase of 10 computers for teachers at the Children’s School, assistance to the prosthetic repair shop, the purchase of over 1500 textbooks at the Children’s School and supplies to complete a home for Ismael, a blind client at the UCC. Frederick and Zacharie returned for a visit to Canyon Hills in 2018 and a team of volunteers will travel to serve at the UCC in June of 2019. We look forward to many more visits and mission trips!

Canyon Hills enjoys a wonderful relationship with Jack Hanna and the Columbus Zoo in support of the Ubumwe Community Center (UCC) and Children’s School in Gisenyi, Rwanda. The UCC was founded by Frederick Ndabaramiye and Zacharie Dusingizimana who are survivors of the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Not willing to remain captive to hate and anger, Frederick and Zacharie turned toward forgiveness and action. Feeling lucky to be alive, they wanted to help those like themselves. Partially because of the genocide, Rwanda has a disproportionate number of physically and mentally disabled people and most are street beggars. With the support of the Columbus Zoo’s Partners in Conservation, Frederick and Zacharie founded The Ubumwe Community Center as a place where these people are given an alternative, where they can be educated, learn skills and ultimately work, generating a sustainable living for themselves and their families. Today Frederick and Zacharie speak internationally and are mentors to young people everywhere. They teach that a disability of spirit is far worse than one of the body. Frederick models his triumph over physical limitations through his painting, his love of life and his fearlessness.

In 2017 Frederick and Zacharie visited Canyon Hills for the first time. Friendships and bonds were formed and our first Rwandan Fete was held to raise money for the UCC. Funds raised have supported two cooks at the UCC, the purchase of 10 computers for teachers at the Children’s School, assistance to the prosthetic repair shop, the purchase of over 1500 textbooks at the Children’s School and supplies to complete a home for Ismael, a blind client at the UCC. Frederick and Zacharie returned for a visit to Canyon Hills in 2018 and a team of volunteers will travel to serve at the UCC in June of 2019. We look forward to many more visits and mission trips!

For more information about the Ubumwe Comunity Center, click here.

For almost 3 decades we have been sending teams of youth and adults to the quiet colonias tucked away in the rugged hills overlooking the Playas de Tijuana to build homes, hope, and relationships with the working poor families and the marginalized in these local neighborhoods.

What began as a mission exploration has grown into a tradition of service and cross-cultural bridge building with our brothers and sisters in these impoverished border towns. Community Centers and Churches are hosts to our growing mission teams providing warm hospitality and assistance with materials and local customs.

Over the years we have become partners with local pastors, mission workers and business owners who continue to lend support to our community service work and home building projects.

Each year we prepare building teams who will construct modest 12×20 dwellings for families who have no shelter of their own or who have multiple families living under one roof. These “casitas” (little homes) are rustic by our standards but are blessings from God to the recipient families. Waiting lists of families desperately needing shelter and a place to call home can grow long which is why every helping hand is a gift from God.

No construction or carpenter experience is necessary to be a vital part of this building ministry. We provide skilled leaders and knowledgeable guides to help you become a valuable member of the team.

If God has been calling you to explore how you might be able to help others in need, this can be a perfect beginning.

We encourage college students and adults from our church and community to attend. All potential team members must apply to be part of the mission team.

Now is the time to put your faith into action. God is asking us to express our faith and have it make a difference to someone else. Join us in the rugged colonias overlooking the Playas de Tijuana, Mexico. Together we will build homes for the less fortunate and discover ways we can serve one another humbly in love.

For more info about Futuro del Oro, click here.

The Tumaini Children’s Ministry in Nyeri, Kenya began in 1997 when a few children were fed by the church while they resided in their own homes or on the streets. In 2003, the Home opened its doors to resident children. Today, the Ministry is home to 200+ children in primary and secondary school including some who are handicapped and can not attend school. The Tumaini Ministry also includes Sugarbaker Clinic which tends to the children’s medical needs. In addition, the clinic serves the local community’s medical needs at subsidized fees however, the very needy are treated at no cost. The Ministry has a tailoring department which produces school uniforms for the children as well as other clothes and items for sale. The Computer department offers skills to older children while outsiders pay a little fee.

While some talented youth have completed high school and are pursuing university or vocational type training at several institutions of higher learning, and have become an inspiration to others, the majority of the graduates are unable to find jobs or become self-employed due to practical skills or opportunities. Because of this, a Vocational Center is now being built with funds donated to the organization and should be completed within the year.

In 2017, a small group from our congregation and Laguna Presbyterian Church went to Kenya to visit the home and many of the children that we sponsor. It was an amazing and uplifting experience for all of those who travelled with us. The children were all forthcoming and excited to see us. We are all looking forward to going back sometime in the future.

For more information about the Tumaini Children’s Home, click here.

Habitat for Humanity partners with people in your community, and all over the world, to help them build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With your support, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and for their families. Through our 2020 Strategic Plan, Habitat for Humanity will serve more people than ever before through decent and affordable housing.

Non-proselytizing policy

Habitat for Humanity and its affiliate organizations will not proselytize. Nor will Habitat work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with Habitat. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.

For more info about Habitat for Humanity, click here.