When two CMS mission partners started up a theological college in Rwanda, they little dreamed it would end up becoming a university. Caroline and Dick Seed, originally from South Africa, were sent by CMS in 2005 to help the Anglican Church of Rwanda create what is set to become Rwanda Christian University.
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Kigali students make history
Rwanda Christian UniversityShocked at the complicity of many church workers in the 1994 genocide, senior leaders concluded that one of the causes of this was poor training.
Now the archbishop, the Rt Rev Emmanuel Kolini, wants the college to achieve official university status. As much as £400,000 in extra funding could be needed and he plans to raise this from Rwandan church members.
With a skeleton staff, Caroline and Dick oversaw the building of what was originally known as Kigali Anglican Theological College, and opened its doors in February 2006 with just 12 students.
The journey has not been easy and as the institution launches into its third academic year, with 35 students, Caroline and Dick are still the only full time staff in the theology faculty. They have been joined by
Richard and Sue Kellow, also CMS mission partners. Richard has taken on the role of head of the school of languages.