Rwandan Friends face crisis over lightning rods
Friends in Rwanda may be forced to close all their building due to a government decree about lightening rods
Rwandan Friends may be forced to close all their buildings, including the Friends Peace House in Kigali, because of a government decree over the issue of lightning rods.
The Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) is supporting an appeal by Rwandan Friends to help them raise funds to install lightning rods to their churches, schools and other buildings.
The urgent request follows a decree by the Rwandan government that all their buildings must have lightning rods before the end of March. This comes after several fatal lightning strikes have affected churches, schools and other buildings.
Cecile Nyiramana, clerk of Rwanda Yearly Meeting and a former Swarthmore lecturer, said: ‘Rwanda Yearly Meeting is being urged to purchase thirty-five lightning rods to protect its schools, churches and the surrounding community. This is very urgent and we have been given a tight deadline to meet the requirements, otherwise the churches will be closed. It is very expensive, and we are facing a huge challenge.’
It is estimated that each lightning rod costs £400.
The FWCC has urged British Friends to contact them urgently if they wish to help.
You need to login to read subscriber-only content and/or comment on articles.