Meet the Trustees
Jean Gakwandi - Founder & Director of Solace Ministries
I was in Kigali during the Genocide of 1994 and endured horrors during this dark period of our history. I miraculously survived the genocide and went on to work for World Relief.
While working for World Relief, a survivor of the Genocide received a number of widows and orphans in his office. They came for help following the loss of their relatives and possessions as a result of the Genocide. Their plight caused a lot of weeping in the office that day. There was such deep sorrow and hurt in their inner being that could not be met by only material assistance.
I felt a call from God saying ‘God comforts us in all our tribulations that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God’ – 2 Corinthians 1:4 NKJV. Following this calling, Solace Ministries was formed in July 1996 with a vision to bring comfort to the orphans and widows.
I have 4 children with my lovely wife, Viviane Mukamuseruka.
Jumoke Ogunbekun - Profession: Telecom and Project Manager Consultant
My first trip to Rwanda was back in 2000 when I went with my Church group at the time, on a mission trip, to help the people of Rwanda following the terrible genocide.
My introduction to Solace was on my second trip and I was very moved by what they were doing in the lives of the people, to re-build their lives and give them hope. I was also very impressed with their vision, that when Dr Banjoko decided to set up a Solace UK and asked me to join as a trustee I could not refuse.
Going to Rwanda has changed my life for the better and helping the Rwandese people is an honor. I have had a chance to offer my teaching skills in Project Management Training amongst other services. Giving time and resource to Rwanda and its people is definitely rewarding I have not looked back and don’t intend to as long as God gives me the Grace.
Dr Aderemi Banjoko - Profession: General Practitioner
I was introduced to the plight still facing the survivors of the war and genocide in Rwanda and the work of Solace Ministries by two friends of mine, Mr Oyedele Mosaku and Miss Jumoke Ogunbekun. Both have been visiting Rwanda annually since 2000 and have developed close friendships with the people of Rwanda and Solace Ministries. They kindly shared their passion for their work in Rwanda and their experiences with me. I became convinced that more work was necessary to help the surviving widows and orphans in Rwanda.
I decided to join a team from the United Kingdom who are affiliated to Solace Ministries on their next mission to Rwanda in July 2005. During my time in Kigali, I helped Solace Ministries with their work by running a clinic for women with, amongst others, gynaecological problems and also travelled to villages to provide counselling to widows and orphans. I left Rwanda with a strong determination to bring hope again to the survivors of the war and genocide through educational, health and other vocational projects.
Dr Addo Djangmah - Profession – General Medical Practitioner
I am a General Medical Practitioner, practising in Bromley, Kent. I am married with two children. My main hobbies are lawn Tennis, listening to Jazz and playing the Guitar.
My interest in Rwanda was kindled by meeting Mr Oyedele Mosaku, who has been involved with Rwanda for many years. He spurned my interest in Rwanda by relating his practical experiences. It dawned on me that I have a responsibility to place my medical experience at the disposal of the people of Rwanda in any way I can. The need to care for the sick and weak amongst us drove me to study Medicine. Working with solace ministries would create a unique opportunity for me to use my skills to help people in need. I am proud to be part of the long term objectives and goals of Solace Ministries which are in tandem with my life long ambition to help the less fortunate. I am under no illusion of the scale of the tasks ahead. ‘When the student is ready the master appears’.
