“When you share a heart with people, it is easy to connect.”~ Dr. Pauline Mukeshimana, GHMI Programs Director
We serve refugees and immigrants from East Africa resettled in Louisville, KY. Our programs support their integration and belonging, as they make the USA their new home. We serve to restore hope and help them rebuild their lives, be self-sufficient and thrive as an integral part of our shared communities. We believe when refugees and immigrants are engaged in their communities, we all thrive.
We refer to refugees and immigrants as our new neighbors, a way to honor and preserve their dignity. Welcoming new neighbors is for us all, especially those who follow Jesus. Each of us has a role to play no matter where we live, our socioeconomic status, our age, or our skills. We can all help make our new neighbors feel safe and welcomed.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the official definition of a refugee is someone who due to a well-founded fear of persecution on the basis of race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or affiliation with a particular social group, has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war, or violence. Refugees cannot return home safely. The process of being resettled takes several years as refugees go through a rigorous vetting process with the UNHCR. Most families spend one to two decades, or sometimes more, in a refugee camp before being approved for resettlement.
Gosheni is a holistic initiative whose purpose is to transform the lives of East African Refugees resettled in Louisville, KY through farming. It provides trauma recovery and healing through farming, utilizing cross-cultural and multicultural therapy. The strength of the program lies in the fact that the refugees are served in their native languages of Swahili, Kinyarwanda, French, Kirundi, and Kinyamulenge,
The farm, is commonly known as “the healing place” among the East African Community. It has brought healing and hope to hundreds of refugees promoting mental health and physical wellness, education, food security, and belonging for refugees using culturally sensitive, culturally competent, and linguistically appropriate approaches. Many participants have reported finding the farm as a place to silence their mind and strengthen their souls and bodies as they connect with their inner selves – who they are and who they have the potential to become, which is a significant component of the healing journey.
The farm is a hands-on approach that allows the sustainability of the environment through the proper use of land. It is rooted in the best pesticide-free farming practices to grow food that nourishes the body, mind, soul, and spirit.
The farm started in 2015 as Hope Community Farm and expanded to become Gosheni in 2023, after Gate of Hope purchased 19 acres of land in Southwest Louisville, to expand the ministry. The farm was initially created in response to the need to fight depression, loneliness and chronic illness among the elderly. Participants work through mental health challenges as they build their resilience and perseverance
Gosheni promotes health, education, food security and belonging for refugees.
(i) It integrates farming education, farming activity and cross-cultural therapy using trauma-informed counseling approaches to address trauma & mental health issues, isolation, loneliness and chronic illnesses.
(ii) It equips refugee growers with technical, organizational, and entrepreneurial skills and offers a means of livelihood to refugees who cannot work elsewhere.
(iii) It contributes to the reduction of food insecurity by providing fresh, healthy produce and supports communities in the development of a sustainable, local food system alongside other regional food growers.
(iv) It builds a strong sense of community and belonging for refugees.
Gosheni is comprised of a commercial farm and Gosheni gardens.
Tabara is a Kinyarwanda word that means call to be reached, rescued and restored. Tabara Initiative is a training and mentorship program designed to transform the lives of East African young women and girls who are at risk of sexual exploitation through education, prevention, and restoration. The program educates girls and young women in Louisville about the dangers of sexual exploitation and trafficking; equips them with the necessary knowledge and tools to protect themselves against sexual predators; and empowers them with the skills and resources to overcome challenges that they are facing and build strong futures.
We offer sex trafficking education and prevention classes through local schools and community organizations, as well as mentorship, life skills, and networking opportunities to the girls and young women. We also respond to reported cases of sexual abuse and or exploitation. We work closely with law enforcement and child protective services when responding.
Tabara was born in 2021 when were learnt that 27 underage East African girls has been sexually trafficked in Louisville, KY since 2017, the youngest of them being 11 years old. Dr. Pauline Mukeshimana knew that something had to be done to address the challenge. Today we are in public schools across Louisville and partner with various agencies and organizations. Young East African refugee girls are particularly vulnerable to sex trafficking because they experience a confluence of the factors. Many of the girls who have been sexually trafficked from the refugee community come from single-parent homes. These girls faced significant challenges in school, among them language barriers and cultural differences, that caused them to fall behind in class and lose motivation to graduate from school.
Many of the girls who have been sexually trafficked from the refugee community come from single-parent homes. These girls faced significant challenges in school, such as language barriers and cultural differences, that caused them to fall behind in class and lose motivation to graduate from school.
Tabara Initiative is for girls in the community who are vulnerable to trafficking, among them, those who have experienced homelessness, been involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, have a history of previous sexual, psychological, or physical abuse, domestic violence in their family of origin, and/or have mental health challenges or learning disabilities.
Himbaza is a transformative worship and discipleship initiative designed to reconnect East African refugee children in Louisville, KY, with the heart of their faith through inclusive and culturally resonant worship and prayer practices. Led by Gate of Hope Ministries International, Himbaza equips churches to bridge generational and linguistic gaps by intentionally including children in prayer and worship through storytelling, music, drama, and community celebration.
Himbaza, which means praise in Kinyarwanda, was born out of the urgent need to respond to the growing disengagement of refugee children from their faith communities. Many children feel disconnected from traditional services conducted in native languages and formats unfamiliar to their US upbringing. Churches often lack the training, tools, and volunteer support to create environments where children can actively participate and grow in faith.
Through the Himbaza Initiative, Gate of Hope supports 12 East African refugee churches over 5 years by:
Himbaza is rooted in the belief that every child is created with the capacity to worship, and that churches can be transformed by embracing children’s voices, creativity, and spiritual insight. The initiative not only nurtures children’s faith and literacy but also strengthens community bonds, promotes healing across generations, and empowers congregations to thrive.
By the end of the 5-year program, Himbaza will directly engage over 300 participants (children, parents, volunteers, and pastors) and indirectly impact 900+ children in weekly services, creating lasting change in how refugee churches worship together as one body.
Himbaza invites churches to rediscover the power of worship and prayer that welcomes, nurtures, and grows the faith of every child.
The Women and Single Mothers Support Program supports women and single mothers impacted by domestic and/or sexual violence. The women and single mothers are either current victims living in abusive relationships and are in search of a way out or survivors who have experienced domestic violence and/or sexual assault and are dealing with its traumatizing effects.
We offer case management and walks alongside impacted refugee women offering (i) counseling , (ii) interpretation & translation services,(iii) assistance with securing family supplies (e.g. diapers, food items), (iv) referrals and connections to local social services that provide medical care, mental health services, legal services, banking and financial aid, housing support, (v) skills training and (vi) support to build a peer network necessary for healing and recovery. Our GHMI Women Community Support Groups uses an informal cross-cultural therapy group therapy approach where the women gather in a safe and brave space to find healing, comfort, and peer support all while learning how to develop and improve wellness skills necessary to thrive in their communities.
We also conduct community outreach events to educate the broader East African community on domestic/ sexual violence prevention and response. Topics include but are not limited to how to prevent domestic / sexual assault, knowing and understanding the legal system & one’s rights, domestic violence / sexual assault reporting process & its implications, how to protect children, conflict resolution, building healthy relationships, and information on local community resources.
We believe that when refugees successfully integrate in the community, everybody wins. When one new neighbor thrives, we all benefit. The INN initiative offers services, resources, skills and connections for all to thrive. They include Interpretation and Translation Service, Clothes Closet, Drivers’ Education & Vehicle Donation Program, Path to US Citizenship Assistance Program, Skills Development Program, and Services and Resources Access.
Interpretation and Translation Services
We offer interpretation and translation services in English, French, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi and Kinyamulenge for those receiving medical services, social services and or undergoing personal crises. Our goal is to remove language barriers that impede refugees’ ability to receive needed support and care.
Clothes Closet
We provide clothing, beddings, and other supplies, among them diapers and hygiene products, to our new neighbors at no cost. The GHMI clothes closet was born out of the need to support new neighbors and local community members to access clothing and other supplies they wouldn’t have otherwise had due to lack of / having limited income. Newly arrived neighbors in their transitional period and those struggling with trauma and mental health challenges are not able to work. Moreover, the majority of refugees have large families, with some having up to 10 family members across the different ages. For those with growing children, affording age and weather appropriate clothing is a huge challenge as kids grow and need new sizes within months at times.
Drivers’ Education & Vehicle Donation Program
We prepare refugees to take the written driver’s test. Participants are able to learn the rules of the road in their native languages for free. As need arises, GHMI matches vehicle donors with those who need vehicles through its outreach that engages the local community to donate used vehicles to those who have received driving licenses. As the new neighbors become more mobile, they are able to help each other get to work, take their children to school, attend church, and countless other activities. We often say that when one person knows how to drive, five people will get to their factory jobs on time, advancing the economic well being of their communities.
Path To US Citizenship Assistance Program
Citizenship status offers the highest possible level of protection to refugees in America. We support refugees who are on the path to U.S. citizenship with English language skills, lessons on United States history, immigration referrals for those seeking paperwork assistance, and obtaining citizenship test waivers for those unable to do the test due to mental health/trauma challenges and/or age (the elderly who can’t read or write).
Skills Development Program
We assist in skill development for independence by teaching essentials of shopping, healthy living and wellness practices, parenting in America, dealing with law enforcement, understanding American culture and living in community, laundry maintenance, home cleaning, organization skills and understanding boundaries.
Services And Resources Access
We assist newly arrived refugees to navigate day to day living by offering support to access social services and resources. These include but are not limited to establishing care at primary care clinics, setting up bank accounts, writing checks for rent/utilities/other expenses, workforce and job interview training, connecting with employment services, registering children at schools, referrals to immigration legal services, support with reading and responding to mails, and connecting them with locals to promote friendships.
We advocate and encourage educational attainment among the refugee community by providing dedicated mentors, who work directly with the families. We strive to empower refugee and immigrant children to reach all of their God-given potential through a solid educational foundation and seek to inspire them to attain the highest level possible by going to college. Our education initiative comprises tutoring, advocacy, basic conversational English and computer lab services.
Tutoring
Resulting from wars and instability, East African refugee immigrant children and youth often arrive in the US with interrupted schooling, literacy issues, and are placed in classrooms by age versus ability. This puts them at high risk of failing and or dropping out. We support children and youth education through regular tutoring in the critical areas of reading, math, and science for middle and high school. We have seen that with regular tutoring African refugee children are capable of catching up with their peers and tend to better enjoy school. We provide dedicated mentors, who work directly with refugee families to support and encourage everyone in the household. Tutoring opportunities offer tutors the privilege of befriending families and helping achieve life goals.
Advocacy
We advocate for students’ inclusive enrollment in schools following up with teachers, parents and guardians to increase the chances of academic success.
Computer lab
We support a computer lab that enables students to access the internet to complete assignments and for families to connect with and apply for employment opportunities.
Basic Conversational English
We offer basic lessons focused on fundamental grammar, common vocabulary, introduction to reading skills in English, and conversation practice necessary for day to day social interactions.
Refugees and immigrants experience trauma from their home countries that carries into their experiences in refugee camps. We have found that when they reach the United States they face additional traumas and the cycle of suffering continues. We offer Christian counseling and family mentorship to help them deal with the trauma they face.
Christian Counseling: Individual & Group Counseling
We offer individual and group Christ-centered counseling sessions and pastoral care to East African refugees and immigrants who have experienced trauma and suffer symptoms associated with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (c-PTSD). c-PTSD is a condition where one has experienced repeated traumas which often results in a distrust towards the world. The group sessions allow the refugees to connect with others with similar experiences, build community and receive support from each other. Counseling sessions are offered in the member’s native language among them Swahili, Kinyarwanda, French, Kirundi, or Kinyamulenge.
Family Mentorship
We offer mentorship for the strengthening of families and marriages. Dedicated mentors work directly with individual family units to support and offer resources that address the needs of all members of that family.
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P.O Box 6481 Louisville, KY 40206
502-381-0711
Gate of Hope Ministries International is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by the law.
