A poem from Rwanda

During our learning tour to Rwanda, we were blessed to meet farmers whose lives and land have been transformed through Shalom’s work in sustainable agriculture, community development, and holistic peacebuilding. One of those farmers shared this powerful poem with us, an offering of deep gratitude, knowledge, and abiding hope.

In these verses, you’ll hear the heartbeat of Ruhango, a community where conservation farming practices have taken root, where children are growing strong, and where neighbours rise together with joy. It is more than a poem; it is a testimony, a celebration, and a call to keep walking this path of Shalom.

Let me praise Shalom

 I greet you all, both near and far,
Our cherished guests, you shine like stars.
Feel at ease, you’re welcome here,
Today, we gather with sincere hearts.

We pause to honour, to give our praise,
To Shalom, in all its ways.
For those who know, it’s felt so deep,
For those who don’t, it’s ours to keep.

What we've achieved, it’s clear to see,
The gifts of Shalom, they set us free.

In the realm of soil, where seeds take flight,
We've learned the art, the farmer’s might.
Minimum tillage, a gentle way,
To keep the earth healthy, day by day.

It nurtures the soil, with care it thrives,
Fixing nitrogen, as life survives.
Beneficial insects join the dance,
Leading to harvest, a fruitful chance.

So, let’s give thanks, for all we've found,
In Shalom’s wisdom, our roots are sound.

It goes hand in hand with mulch so fine,
Making crops grow strong, and drink from time.
They stand so tall, with leaves that shine,
Never thirsty, always divine.

And then, we turn to crop rotation,
A practice of pure salvation.
It keeps the pests at bay, at ease,
Letting nitrogen work, and crops to please.

We plant on time, and plant in line,
Our harvest grows, the yields divine.
Three principles, a farmer's creed,
Guiding us to sow and succeed.

Who cannot praise the name of Shalom?
For all the good it’s brought us home.
First, we thank, with hearts so true,
For the lessons, and the gift too.

How beautiful is this path we tread,
In agriculture, our spirits led.
It’s good, we’ve learned, and learned it well,
A truth we share, a story to tell.

And yet, there’s more I have not spoken,
A truth so deep, a bond unbroken.
For Shalom, it opened my eyes,
To the hidden wonders beneath the skies.

In soil, I once saw only toil,
But now, I know of life’s true spoil.
Beneficial insects, tiny and bright,
I once thought them pests, but now I’m right.

I violated them, without a thought,
Thinking they'd harm, but wisdom was sought.
Four types of violations, I never knew,
But now I see them, and I respect too.

For its Shalom that taught me true,
The wonders of the earth, in all its type.
And for that, my heart is full of praise,
Grateful for the knowledge it displays.

Shalom then intervened,
And shared the wisdom, great and true,
That to violate is never good,
Especially when it harms another too.

But mostly, what they told me,
Was to see things from different views,
The conflicts you often hear about,
Could be good or bad let us pray to choose.

After hearing the good of Shalom,
Let’s start its journey, full of grace,
An organization that stands against hate,
And fights for every human’s place.

Shalom strives for peace and love,
With vision clear and hearts so kind,
Helping the poor, and lifting the fallen,
Guiding us with a compassionate mind.

For Shalom kept us from not losing hope,
With love that helped us all survive,
It gave us livestock, and many gifts,
That made our spirits come alive.

It taught us lessons, simple but true,
Like cooking in an hour, a one-pot, one hour,
Full of colours, vibrant and bright,
A meal that nourishes, full of light.

Let me tell you of those four colours so fine,
Orange and white, yellow, red, divine,
And don’t forget the green we need,
Together they nourish, they plant the seed.

And we share this meal with our children,
For their future, bright and strong,
No more stunting, no more hunger,
With Shalom, we’ve come along.

We’ve learned so much, from leaders wise,
Together we’ve grown, and now we rise.
Let’s care for our children, it’s clear to see,
They are Rwanda’s future, they hold the key.

From pregnancy, we start to care,
Checkups for mothers, everywhere,
Eight checkups, and birth in a safe place,
To fight infant deaths with love and grace.

Let me tell you something else, too,
Joining saving groups, and Ejo Heza too,
Will make our old age full of ease,
Access to money, and hearts at peace.

Let’s care for each other, side by side,
With Shalom’s wisdom as our guide.
Together, we stand, together we rise,
For a better tomorrow, beneath the skies.

My theme today was to appreciate

Let me thank our leadership

From bottom to top

We really thank you!!!!

I appreciate our district Ruhango

Who are always close to us

Always close to us in our problems

Thank you so much!!!!

Most especially Shalom

And above all our dearest pastor

Together with those that help him

Thank you so much!!

Again, I thank our president HE Paul Kagame

Who opened our country

Even foreigners have visited us PDN and MCC you are the best

May you have peace and durable development worldwide.

Tuzamurane we are overwhelmed by joy

Allow us to thank you, we are happy

A round of applause to you all

And shout of joy!

I felt I had a lot I can share with you

But let me stop from here for I have hopes to visit you

And you tell me how you have seen this day.

I am not here to delay our visitors and hosts

And I am not here to keep this poem with me just

I am a poet from Ruhango who dedicates this poem to you especially the Tuzamurane group you visited today.

Again, all of you who have gathered here today,

May God bless you as you have found us here happily

May the goodness of God be with you

I am a poet who leaves others to ponder

Mostly our visitors today

May you have a great Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!