Tina Zielke
Tina Zielke first came to Rwanda on a short term mission trip in 2011. She returned on her second short term mission trip just six months later, in 2012. She fell in love with Noel orphanage that had over 600 children and teens in it. So she did the next logical step, sold all she owned and bought a one-way ticket to Rwanda to minister to the children at Noel, in August 2012.
After a few years of ministering at the orphanage, the government moved away from institutionalized care, and more home-based care for their children. So in 2014 Rwanda had closed down all its orphanages. Tina began to see areas in which, because of its new home-based care, wasn’t being met. If a mother died in childbirth, there was often no way a family could afford formula, and the basics to help that infant. So Tina founded Hope For Tomorrow to meet the needs in her community, of an at-risk and abandoned infant. The program also provides monthly fellowship meals, health insurance to the families, literacy classes, English classes, and bible studies twice a week.
Her non-profit has employed former orphans from Noel Orphanage, and has been blown away at their hard work, and dedication, at family preservation! One of the girls in her home has had a heart for the elderly and started a new branch of HFT in elderly care.
Tina currently supports one in University that is going for counseling and social work, one in Secondary school, and two in a primary school in her home. She also is the proud grandmother to Corrine, who is two years old.
Tina’s heart and hope are nestled in the rolling hills of Rwanda, near the DRC border. She adores her children and being with them. Whether they are all piled into her bed late at night to watch movies and color together. She loves getting to learn from and mentor the moms in the program, and break bread with those in her home, her ministry, and her community. If you know Tina at all, you know how she always says, “Full table, full heart.” She loves being a part of her community and is committed to serving in Rwanda long term, for the rest of her life.