Our Mission
To bring the hope and healing of Jesus to the people of Africa,
by raising up Christian dentists who will serve their communities through Gospel-centered health care
by raising up Christian dentists who will serve their communities through Gospel-centered health care
Rwanda COVID-19 Update
In our recent communications with our supporters, many have expressed concern about how this pandemic is affecting the people of Rwanda. In light of this concern, we would like to take this time to update our supporters.
Rwanda has not been spared from this crisis. As of April 19th, there has been 147 confirmed cases, 76 recoveries. According to the Ministry of Health, every province in Rwanda has had a COVID-19 case. No death has been registered since the first case was confirmed in the country over a month ago.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, the medical team has done a fantastic job in their effort to contain the spread of the virus. On March 21st, Rwanda became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to order a total shutdown because of the coronavirus. The borders with adjacent nations are closed, the police and military strictly enforce the lockdown using roadblocks and drones, and arrest people who are out without good reason. We are relieved that the effort is working, as April 19 was the first time Rwanda had more recoveries (76) than active cases (71).
When we first learned about the lockdown, we immediately became very concerned about the vulnerable people in Rwanda. Many people here in the States live month to month; however, most Rwandans live day to day. In addition, most have no running water and need to go out to get water daily. We also learned that the lockdown has been extended by until April 30 to further contain the outbreak.
How will these people survive during the lockdown?
The government, realizing this harsh reality of so many who are suffering, has started a systematic process of food distribution to assist the vulnerable. However, it is not nearly enough.
His Hands on Africa has taken action in supporting our brothers and sisters in Rwanda. We are donating funds to our partners in Rwanda so that they can buy food and other necessities and distribute them to the people who are in desperate need.
Please join us in prayer for the people and the nation of Rwanda. And as the Lord leads, consider a donation to partner with HHOA to share the tangible love of God to the vulnerable in Rwanda. Please click on the button below.
Rwanda has not been spared from this crisis. As of April 19th, there has been 147 confirmed cases, 76 recoveries. According to the Ministry of Health, every province in Rwanda has had a COVID-19 case. No death has been registered since the first case was confirmed in the country over a month ago.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, the medical team has done a fantastic job in their effort to contain the spread of the virus. On March 21st, Rwanda became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to order a total shutdown because of the coronavirus. The borders with adjacent nations are closed, the police and military strictly enforce the lockdown using roadblocks and drones, and arrest people who are out without good reason. We are relieved that the effort is working, as April 19 was the first time Rwanda had more recoveries (76) than active cases (71).
When we first learned about the lockdown, we immediately became very concerned about the vulnerable people in Rwanda. Many people here in the States live month to month; however, most Rwandans live day to day. In addition, most have no running water and need to go out to get water daily. We also learned that the lockdown has been extended by until April 30 to further contain the outbreak.
How will these people survive during the lockdown?
The government, realizing this harsh reality of so many who are suffering, has started a systematic process of food distribution to assist the vulnerable. However, it is not nearly enough.
His Hands on Africa has taken action in supporting our brothers and sisters in Rwanda. We are donating funds to our partners in Rwanda so that they can buy food and other necessities and distribute them to the people who are in desperate need.
Please join us in prayer for the people and the nation of Rwanda. And as the Lord leads, consider a donation to partner with HHOA to share the tangible love of God to the vulnerable in Rwanda. Please click on the button below.
HOPE Dental Center Global Architectural Contest
It is with great excitement that we share this new development for HOPE Dental Center and His Hands on Africa.
HHOA in collaboration with Archstorming, a non-profit organization based our of Spain that seeks to improve humanitarian issues through humanitarian architecture competitions , opened a global architectural competition to design HOPE Dental Center November last year. The competition drew 427 applicants from all around the world of which 234 teams submitted drawings for HOPE Dental Center. Top 50 finalists were submitted to the Jury, which consisted of 9 members from around the world, many with construction experience in Africa and some specifically in Rwanda.
HHOA’s aim was to use the building process of HOPE Dental Center to bless and build up the community and be a source of hope to the people we serve. We were inspired by a TED talk given by a famous architect Michael Murphy, who led the team that designed the Butaro District Hospital in Rwanda. He incorporated the Rwandan concept of “Ubudehe”- the long-standing Rwandan practice and culture of collective action and mutual support to solve problems within a community - to design and build the new hospital.
HHOA in collaboration with Archstorming, a non-profit organization based our of Spain that seeks to improve humanitarian issues through humanitarian architecture competitions , opened a global architectural competition to design HOPE Dental Center November last year. The competition drew 427 applicants from all around the world of which 234 teams submitted drawings for HOPE Dental Center. Top 50 finalists were submitted to the Jury, which consisted of 9 members from around the world, many with construction experience in Africa and some specifically in Rwanda.
HHOA’s aim was to use the building process of HOPE Dental Center to bless and build up the community and be a source of hope to the people we serve. We were inspired by a TED talk given by a famous architect Michael Murphy, who led the team that designed the Butaro District Hospital in Rwanda. He incorporated the Rwandan concept of “Ubudehe”- the long-standing Rwandan practice and culture of collective action and mutual support to solve problems within a community - to design and build the new hospital.
“When we had to excavate an enormous hill top and a bulldozer was expensive and hard to get to the site,
so they did it by hand using a method in Rwanda called Ubedehe, which means ‘community works for the community.’
Hundreds of people came and finished the job in half the time and half the cost.”
These four concepts were incorporated in the building process of the hospital and the community:
1. Hire locally
2. Source regionally
3. Train where you can
4. Invest in dignity
In addition, sustainability is a fundamental aim of the HOPE Dental Center. Again we incorporated it into the building design important elements such as renewable energy, heating and ventilation efficiency and sustainable water management strategies.
It is with great pleasure that we announce the winner of the HOPE Dental Center global architectural competition.
First prize winner is a team based out of Dubai, UAE
The other winners and Honorable mentions are teams from Brazil, USA, Switzerland, Australia, Hong Kong, France, Spain, UK, Colombia, Slovenia and China. As you can see, the competition was truly a global event, the creativity of world came together to bring forth the future design of HOPE Dental Center.
Pray and partner with us to see HOPE Dental Center to completion and be a beacon of HOPE to the nation of Rwanda.
It is with great pleasure that we announce the winner of the HOPE Dental Center global architectural competition.
First prize winner is a team based out of Dubai, UAE
The other winners and Honorable mentions are teams from Brazil, USA, Switzerland, Australia, Hong Kong, France, Spain, UK, Colombia, Slovenia and China. As you can see, the competition was truly a global event, the creativity of world came together to bring forth the future design of HOPE Dental Center.
Pray and partner with us to see HOPE Dental Center to completion and be a beacon of HOPE to the nation of Rwanda.
1000 Hills Circle
Join the 1000 Hills Circle to transform Rwanda through HOPE Dental Center and extend God’s hope, healing and blessing to His people.
Rwanda is called the "land of a thousand hills" because of its rolling hills and majestic landscape. Even though the country suffered unimaginable adversity in its recent history, it has made stunning progress. Life expectancy has doubled since 1994 to over 60 years, and deaths of children under age 5 have plummeted from 230 per 1,000 to 55.
However, despite these advancements, 18% of hospital visits in district hospitals are linked to oral diseases that are preventable and curable with access to basic dental care (1). Rwanda has 48 dentists in a country with a population of almost 12 million, approximately one dentist for every 250,000 patients. By comparison, the United States has 1 dentist per 1,600 patients. Despite major efforts to rebuild the nation, the statistics remain disheartening and the need for more dental care professionals is greater than ever.
It is our love for this beautiful country and the resilient people of Rwanda that has inspired His Hands On Africa to establish the 1000 Hills Circle, named after Rwanda’s striking landscape. We hope to gather one thousand partners, the ‘circle’, who will journey, pray, and financially commit with us for the next 3 years. As a partner, we would appreciate your support in three key ways:
- Become a prayer partner of His Hands On Africa
- Commit to a monthly donation for the next three years (2)
Those who gift $100/month or more for 3 years will be included on the Founder's Circle donor wall of the Hope Dental Center. - Build a small circle - host an intimate informational gathering with Dr. Thomas and Lita Lee, the founders, to engage, dialogue and discuss the medical needs of the people of Rwanda and how your network of friends and family can partner with us.
For more information on hosting and arranging a small circle gathering, please contact info@hishandsonafrica.org.
Join the 1000 Hills Circle and let us move and transform the land of 1000 hills together!
1 2016 Annual Health Statistics Booklet, Rwandan Ministry of Health
2 Contributions are tax deductible.
“...if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
you can say to this mountain,
‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20
For HHOA mission updates.....
Our WorkLearn more about our mission of HOPE Dental Center, Compassion Community Dental Clinics and Mobile Dental Clinics.
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Get EngagedTake part by sponsoring a dentist, helping us build a Compassion Community Dental Clinic, volunteering, or praying for our ministry.
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Give A GiftWe couldn’t do what we do without your support, so thank you for your continued giving.
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