Hope Through the Roof: Transforming Lives in Rwanda

Hope Through the Roof: Transforming Lives in Rwanda

Hope Through the Roof: Transforming Lives in Rwanda

In August 2025, a series of powerful events unfolded, transforming lives in Rwanda as part of the Roofbreaker initiative from Through the Roof, in partnership with a local charity FoH in Rwanda. These gatherings—in Kamonyi and Kayonza Districts—brought together parents, pastors, community leaders, and disabled people to share stories, learn, and build a more inclusive future.

Breaking Barriers in Kamonyi

The Roofbreaker training in Kamonyi opened with heartfelt prayers and a clear mission: to equip local leaders with the tools and compassion needed to support people with disabilities. Pastor Davis and his wife Ruth shared the biblical inspiration behind Through the Roof, reminding participants of the story where friends lowered a paralysed man through a roof to reach Jesus—a symbol of determination and love.

Participants formed discussion groups to tackle pressing questions:

  • Cultural taboos: Families often hide children with disabilities due to shame. Churches and communities must challenge these beliefs and promote dignity and inclusion.
  • Legal protections: Rwanda’s National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) was praised for its grassroots structure and commitment to rights.
  • Church inclusion: Churches were urged to count, include, and empower people with disabilities—especially through sign language training and inclusive projects.
  • Self-reliance: Co-operatives and vocational training were highlighted as key to reducing dependence on foreign aid.

The day ended with sign language lessons and a message of compassion from Pastor Jacques, reinforcing the importance of seeing every person as valuable.

Parent Workshops: Stories of Strength and Faith

The parent workshops in Kamonyi and Kayonza were filled with emotion, testimony, and transformation. Though planned for a modest number, attendance surged—proof of the deep hunger for hope and connection.

One father, Bizimana Alex, shared how his child crawled until age four due to a disability. Despite the challenges, he spoke with pride and love, urging other parents to embrace their children fully.

Nirere Vestine, a mother born with a disability, recounted her journey through trauma, motherhood, and resilience. Her child was also born with a disability, yet she expressed profound gratitude for life and the strength she found in the workshop community.

Nyirahabimana Adeline, a visually impaired woman, received an audio Bible and shared how she had long struggled to access God’s Word. “This marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life,” she said, her joy palpable.

Umuhoza Aline, a 14-year-old with low vision, had dreamed of owning an audio Bible. Her parents couldn’t afford one, but thanks to the training, she finally received it. “Now I can grow in my knowledge of God’s Word,” she said with a smile.

Other parents—like Sophia, Ruth, and Marie—who couldn’t read or write, expressed joy at being able to hear Scripture for the first time. “Now our ears will hear what God’s Word says,” they said.

Empowerment and Legacy in Kayonza

In Kayonza, the focus shifted to legacy and empowerment. Pastor Davis challenged participants to think beyond material inheritance and consider lives they impact. Groups discussed how to:

  • Economically empower people with disabilities through education and vocational training.
  • Support visible disabilities with tailored assistance and protection.
  • Build relationships by changing attitudes and avoiding harmful language.
  • Fight exclusion by making churches accessible and welcoming.
  • Create lasting impact through education, inclusion, and advocacy.

An East African man sat on a chair next to a Rwandan man seated, holding crutches, who is being presented with an audio Bible.

The stories of Christella Shenga (who has a hearing impairment) and Simon Kwizera (physically disabled) stood out. Christella was thrilled to receive a Bible and committed to encouraging others like her. Simon, denied education by his family, found hope in the audio Bible and shared his desire to grow spiritually.

The Chairperson of Rwanda Interfaith Churches was so moved that he donated two pigs to support people with disabilities and called for more regular training sessions.

A Movement of Hope

These events were more than workshops—they were a movement of hope, inclusion, and transformation. Audio and printed Bibles were distributed, sign language was taught, and meals were shared. Most importantly, hearts were changed.

As one participant said, “This training has changed our mindset. We now see our children not as burdens, but as blessings.”

If you want to inspire hope and change hearts and minds towards disability inclusion overseas, then please consider giving, volunteering or praying to support our International Roofbreaker events. 

Group photo of about 30 people in Rwanda, both men and women, including wheelchair users.
A man presenting an audio Bible to two young Rwandan children who may be blind. Their mothers stand behind them,
Two groups of about six East African people in each, sat in circles on plastic chairs in a hall.
A large group of East African people sat in rows of plastic chairs, listening to two speakers - a man and a woman.
A group of 8 East African people sat in a circle on plastic chairs, outdoors, under trees.
A skewed angle photo of 8 East African people sat in a circle on plastic chairs, outdoors, under trees.
A man standing up, presenting an audio Bible to a Rwandan man in a wheelchair.
A Rwandan man sat on a chair, presenting an audio Bible to another seated Rwandan man holding crutches.
Group portrait of about 40 people in Rwanda, both men, women and children, outside a church building.
A Rwandan man addressing a group of East African people sat in plastic chairs in rows, with an overhead projector screen behind him.

Pray for Disability Awareness Sunday

Pray for Disability Awareness Sunday

Can you join us in prayer?

We invite you to join us to pray for disability inclusion and all the churches who registered to take part in Disability Awareness Sunday.

Many churches in the UK and around the world have been holding services and events to celebrate disabled people in church and Christian life: either on Disability Awareness Sunday itself, 28th September 2025, or on a different day.

We want to cover these churches and their Disability Awareness events in prayer and we’d love you to pray with us.

The prayer continues, following on from a 24-hour prayer chain which took place from 12 noon (UK time) on 27th Sept till 12 noon on 28th Sept 2025. Our Together at Home group produced a main DAS 25 Prayer Guide with ideas for prayer, as well as some shorter and longer prayer guidance (see below).

Prayer is still much needed! Only God can transform our churches to be more fully inclusive of disabled people.

How do I join in?

We asked people to sign up for a slot to pray, so that we could try to fill any gaps. Now, after the official Sunday, you can pray any time! But it's still really important.

The original event was set up through the organisation '24/7 prayer', who run the Global Week of prayer each September. We just used the same sign up sheet to pray for Disability Awareness Sunday.

Anyone can pray any time, anywhere!

A screen shot of a webpage showing time slots for 24/7 prayer.

Resources and prayer prompts

We provided short prayer prompts (see bullet points below) as well as longer prayer resources:

1. A main DAS 25 Prayer Guide produced by our Together at Home fellowship group (find out more about Together at Home here)
2. A longer prayer exercise in Lectio365-style, also produced by the Together at Home fellowship.

Some short prompts are in the bullet points below. The prompts and resources should have been sent by email to everyone who signed up to pray. But you can access them at the links above.

You do not have to use the prompts or resources – they are just a guide.

  • Pray for churches/people taking part in Disability Awareness Sunday, that God will bless and encourage them to celebrate and fully include disabled people.
  • Pray for the Biblical message to be shared that we are ‘Made in God’s Image’ (Genesis 1), which is the theme for Disability Awareness Sunday 2025.
  • Pray for Christians reach out and include disabled people on Disability Awareness Sunday, and to actively work towards disability inclusion as an essential ministry.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

What is Disability Awareness Sunday?

Disability Awareness Sunday is a day to celebrate and ensure disabled people are fully included in church and Christian life. This year it is on Sunday 28th September 2025.

Every year, our charity Through the Roof suggests a theme for Disability Awareness Sunday and produces a free resource for churches and ministries. You can access this year’s free resource at: https://throughtheroof.org/forchurches/disability-awareness-sunday/

Why pray for Disability Awareness Sunday?

Disability inclusion is not an ‘add-on’ to the Gospel, it IS part of the Gospel.

Jesus called disabled people and asks others to do the same in Luke 14’s parable of the Great Banquet, where the Bible says:
“Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the town. Bring in those who are poor. Also bring those who can’t see or walk.” (NIrV)

All people, including disabled people, are made in God’s image, and are part of God’s plan. A church without disabled people is an incomplete church. So praying for Disability Awareness Sunday is a first step to more and more churches fully including disabled people.

What are we praying for?

For churches and communities who take part in Disability Awareness Sunday: a day to celebrate and ensure disabled people are fully included in church and Christian life. This year it was officially on Sunday 28th September 2025, but any (Sun)day can be Disability Awareness Sunday!

  • We pray for churches and people taking part in Disability Awareness Sunday, that God will bless and encourage congregations to celebrate and fully include disabled people.
  • We also pray for the Biblical message to be shared that we are all made in God's image. The theme for Disability Awareness Sunday 2025 is ‘Made in God’s Image’.
  • The most important thing about Disability Awareness Sunday is that Christians reach out and include disabled people. And that churches continue to actively work towards disability inclusion – e.g. by nominating a Roofbreaker or disability champion in their church.

There are longer prayer resources at the links below with more ideas and prompts on how you could spend your DAS prayer time:

1. A main DAS 25 Prayer Guide produced by our Together at Home fellowship group
2. A longer prayer exercise in Lectio365-style, also produced by the Together at Home fellowship.

You do not have to use the prompts or resources – they are just a guide.

When are we praying?

In the original prayer vigil, people prayed in the 24 hours from 12 noon (UK time) Saturday 27th September, till 12 noon on 28th September 2025. But now you can pray any time!

This 24 hour period was chosen so we were praying before and during the official Disability Awareness Sunday period.

Do I have to pray for a whole hour?

No, even on the 24-hour prayer vigil, you could sign up for the same one-hour slot as someone else, if you agree to do 30 mins each.

We just encouraged people to choose a slot not yet filled, so we cover all 24 hours. And it is fine to sign up for more than one slot, if you can!

The hope was to have every slot filled, so we cover the event in prayer for 24 hours!

How do I scroll up and down in the prayer signup sheet?

There is no prayer sign up sheet now, but for next year, if we use the same 24/7 prayer sign up sheet, here are the instructions:

You use your mouse (or swipe with your finger) to scroll down the prayer sign up sheet. There is no scroll bar at the side, but you can move down the sheet by clicking and dragging with your mouse (or with your finger on a phone/tablet).

How do I select a time slot?

Just click the box between the times you want to pray – by using your mouse or tapping with your finger on a phone/tablet.

Do I have to put my name publicly on the list?

No, you can sign up anonymously. Just click ‘Book anonymously’ in the box when you register.

You will be asked to give an email address so we can send you information, but that is kept private and won’t be shared by the organisers. You do not have to create an account, as you can ‘Book as guest’.

A pop-up box on a webpage to sign up for a prayer slot, askign for name, email, and if you want to book as a guest.

Is there a virtual prayer room on Zoom/video chat?

No, we have decided to invite people to pray independently, without the need to login to a video chat or Zoom room. However, individuals are welcome to set up their own virtual or in-person prayer rooms, if they want to pray together.

I have a different question about the DAS day of prayer – who do I ask?

The easiest way to ask a question is to email annette@throughtheroof.org

What is the Together at Home fellowship group, and can I join?

We would love new members of our online Together at Home Fellowship group, which is a virtual home group for Christians who meet on Thursday afternoons at least once every two weeks, 2-3pm UK time, to share community and pray or read the Bible together. Many of the group have lived experience of disability, but it is open to all.

Please visit our Together and Home webpage for more details and email together@throughtheroof.org to request the Zoom link for future meetings. 

How do I find out more about Through the Roof and church disability inclusion?

Please do fill in this short form to Get Updates from us at Through the Roof, the Christian disability inclusion charity.

Let us know on the form if you'd like information from Through the Roof about:

News release: Three generations go to Uganda

News release: Three generations go to Uganda

Carol Dyer from Gosport is preparing for an extraordinary journey this September, travelling with her 18-year-old son Caleb and her 81-year-old father Neil Salter to Jinja, Uganda, with us as Christian disability charity Through the Roof. They are going on a mission for our Wheels for the World project which provides life-changing wheelchairs to disabled people who otherwise have no access to them – restoring dignity, independence, and hope.

Different roles on the mission

The family of volunteers will be working alongside a team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, mechanics, pastoral carers, and administrators later this September. Together, they will select and fit refurbished wheelchairs for children and adults in desperate need.

Three generations go to Uganda this year, all from one family. It is Caleb’s first trip, taking the role of blogger and photographer; where for grandfather Neil, it’s one of seven trips he’s made with charity Through the Roof, as a volunteer mechanic. Mum/daughter Carol, who is on the staff team of the charity, is the Team Leader for this trip. She is excited to return to Africa on the pastoral team for her fifth mission, Carol shares:

“I get the best job, chatting to the disabled people given wheelchairs and telling them they are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made by God’ (Psalm 139). Often they do not know that. They are normally left at home, not going out to work or school. They arrive crawling or carried; a wheelchair brings them freedom.”

Why take wheelchairs to Uganda?

Globally, over 100 million people need a wheelchair but do not have one – with over 90% living in Africa or Asia. In contrast, thousands of wheelchairs in the UK end up in landfill each year. Through the Roof refurbishes these chairs and ships them to countries where they can make an immediate, life-changing difference.
A man with white hair and a white cap showing a red and yellow puppet to a smiling Ugandan child in a wheelchair.
For many in Uganda, the cost of a wheelchair is far beyond reach. Without one, people may be forced to crawl on the ground or be carried everywhere. The gift of a wheelchair opens doors – to education, employment, and full inclusion in community life.

Hear how lives are being transformed

On the last Wheels for the World trip to Jinja, the team met Winnie, a teenager with cerebral palsy who had never moved independently. Her new, customised wheelchair gave her posture support, comfort, and – for the first time – freedom to explore on her own. As she tried her chair for the first time, the crowd erupted into applause and she beamed with joy. Alongside the chair, she was given a Bible in her own language and prayed for, as the team encouraged her to know her value and God’s love.

Tim Wood, CEO of Through the Roof, said: “Our Wheels for the World project transforms the lives, physically and spiritually, of 800 disabled people every year. We’ve got a great community here, and we’d love for more people to join us in transforming lives.”

A young man with a blue crash helmet in front of a tree, smiling and holding his hands in a double 'thumbs up'.

Through the Roof invites supporters to help by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word. Watch our project video at https://youtu.be/7kQSS2v5GxA, see mission updates on social media @TTRChangesLives, or visit our Wheels for the World webpage at https://throughtheroof.org/international-mission/wheels-for-the-world/

 

Online talk: Coming alongside people with dementia

Online talk: Coming alongside people with dementia

We were so blessed by the online talk: Coming alongside people with dementia, by 'Embracing Age', about making your church a great place to grow old. 

Paul Crowther, Development Manager from UK charity 'Embracing Age' shared practical tips and insights about support for people with dementia, a condition that affects so many. 

A pie chart showing one half orange and one half red. Text reads 'On in teo of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime. Either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. Alzheimer's Research UK FOR A CURE'

Alzheimer's Research UK predict that 1 in every 2 people in the UK will be affected by dementia, either as a carer or by having the condition. So it's so important that churches can offer support.

People with dementia experience a range of difficulties including problems with memory, reasoning and language, and changes in their behaviour and emotions. Every individual will be affected differently, and these difficulties will get worse over time.

It is important to remember that people with dementia still have spiritual needs and still need to know that they are accepted and loved. A relationship with God can continue even when rational thought and verbal communication are difficult.

Join with Roofbreaker disability champions in your area and to learn more!