The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
April 2008
Green Eyes in Africa — Hope through children
Ryan Oliver Hansen found a home at St. Mark's Cathedral, but
soon found his ministry was among orphans in one of the most impoverished
and crime-ridden places in Africa. The 27-year-old Hansen returned
for a visit to St. Mark's and to show another of his award winning
documentaries about the orphanage he and his brother founded. He has
transformed the New Hope Orphanage into a safe haven for some of the
street children of Yaounde, Cameroon. Hansen had to rescue many of
the children from one of a number of corrupt and abusive orphanages
to create "his family." Ryan survives without a salary
and in sparse surroundings. He tries to have enough funding to be able
to answer the next knock on the door from someone needing help in the
difficult world of Cameroon. Hansen has also welcomed those suffering
from AIDS and many with physical challenges to his ministry in Africa.
Locals often label people with physical challenges as being witches
and cast them out. He gives them hugs, food, and warmth.
Ryan Hansen holds an orphan named Julietta at his orphanage in Africa.
The St. Mark’s humanitarian is grateful to those in the Utah
Episcopal community who help support the orphanage.
Photo courtesy of
Ryan Hansen.
The St. Mark's
community, other Episcopal church members and lots of friends keep
the "Green Eyes in Africa" foundation going. St. Mark's
parishioner (and Diocese staff member) Vicki Evans serves on the foundation's
board of directors. Ryan's brother, Patrick, runs the business
side of things from Sandy, while Ryan spends virtually all year in Africa.
The two decided long ago that they would not conduct the orphanage operation
through bribes—often the way things are done in the city of Yaounde.
The frustrations and successes of compassion with honor make up the newest
documentary.
 "To
the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be
the world."
The long-haired and green-eyed Hansen admits to being an
out-of-place stranger in Africa. He knows his calling is to be the
stranger making a difference in the lives of the children. Your Dialogue editor
(and U. of U. professor) fondly remembers Ryan as a student who could
have been a good documentary maker in America. Instead, Ryan became
a good documentary maker in Africa—who happens to also run an
orphanage.
More
can be found about Ryan's work at www.greeneyesinafrica.org
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