For 15 years now, Esther’s Aid, a Christian-based, non profit charity organization has helped feed, clothe, shelter and educate more than 8,000 Rwandan children. Its record of success provides the tools necessary for youngsters and widows to lift themselves out of poverty. Clare Effiong, a Nigerian native and the country director of Esther’s Aid, talked to Sharon Kantengwa about the passion behind her work and why individual responsibility is necessary for the country’s growth. Here’s her story……

I am just a woman who loves people. By nature, there is no human being that is incapable of doing anything good but what I do is done out of passion and the love that I have for people especially the downtrodden because they cannot help themselves, speak for themselves or approach anyone. When I look at any human being, I see myself in them which means that I feel their pain. Nothing can make you go near these people because you see yourself in them. Even if I get tired, I cannot stop helping because of the love I have for these people.

What do you like about this country?

My being in Rwanda is a special call from God and that is why I love it passionately. We all complain for certain things because we are human beings but the heart of forgiveness in this country is what rocks me. I have seen the people of this country learning to forgive which is why this country is progressing because it is not where I found it. The power of forgiveness in this country stands out so glaring because God wants us to forgive everybody that wrongs us.

What gives you fulfilment?

My fulfilment is in building lives. It’s like planting because even when the plant doesn’t grow well you still have to find out why it doesn’t grow well. Maybe there is not enough manure in that place but if there is enough manure then you will yield good fruit. That is how I liken my assignment in Rwanda.

Even though I plant in tears with so much pain in my heart, the consistency and patience is what makes me feel fulfilled. Seeing girls grow up into responsible women and not having a problem getting my students good jobs and maintaining them is what gives me joy because we build their character.

We have been able to train them with job ethics, hard work, consistency, commitment and responsibility. Even if its struggle because it is hard to change a human being, I am reaping fruits because the students that we have trained are doing very well and have good jobs.

What challenges have you faced so far?

The biggest struggle that I have is human resource.  Working with people is a struggle itself because you have to groom these people and train them with skills and job ethics. People do not perform well because they lack responsibility of their work.

The government works hard to create skills and make sure that people work to feed themselves but without job ethics; maintaining a job is not easy. You can have money but if you don’t have the right resource, you find yourself struggling. However, if you are prepared for the challenges ahead it is easy to cope.

The best thing that can happen to any country is being able to build a human being. I believe that with time, people will learn the importance of time management and responsibility.

What are some of the lessons you derive from your beneficiaries?

Some of the people that I help come in tears with gratitude which is what inspires me to do more. When I attend weddings or see them succeed, I am filled with profound joy of how God has transformed the lives of these people. I do my job with ease because of the joy that I have for the children who call me Mama Claire.

What are you planning next?

I want to leave a legacy behind which is why we are building the village of peace, a multipurpose building that will house a culinary institute. The project is going on very well. At my very old age I want to come to Rwanda and see my children become responsible people. The funding is still lacking but I am hopeful that with time, we will be able to build and see our dream come true.

Any word of advice

I always tell my children that anybody who doesn’t want to live for another person is a selfish human being that the world doesn’t need. We must learn to love one another and never try to pull someone down.

Rwanda needs people who are selfless and live for other people because that is how countries like America survive. We shouldn’t just receive but learn to give because then, you receive more. It should not always be about the money but the love that should drive our work in order for us to succeed.