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March 20, 2024
March 20, 2024

From March 11 to 12, 2024, the General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda convened at the Cenetra Hotel/Kabuga, to evaluate the implementation of the 2023 recommendations, to review the 2023 activity report and the 2024 operational plan, as well as the formulation of new recommendations.

The Rwandan bishops, the Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda, Arnaldo Sánchez Catalán, various representatives of Caritas Rwanda’s partner organizations, the directors of Diocesan Caritas, as well as the personnel from Caritas Rwanda and the ten Diocesan Caritas, attended the General Assembly.

Bishop Anaclet Mwumvaneza, President of Caritas Rwanda, congratulated all Caritas (Caritas Rwanda and Diocesan Caritas) for celebrating the World Day of the Poor (November 19, 2023) in communion and sharing with the poor in parishes, hospitals, Catholic Health Facilities (FOSA), and in ecclesial communities, during his opening remarks. He emphasized the Pope Francis’s message for the day, which reminds us that the poor are not just statistics but rather real people who value human connection and our sense of humanity above all.

Bishop Anaclet Mwumvaneza, President of Caritas Rwanda, delivering the opening speech at the General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda.

Bishop Anaclet Mwumvaneza clarified that Caritas is in the last year of its 2020-2024 strategic plan, and that the mid-term evaluation showed that it is on the right path to its implementation. “And we rely on your support until the end. We will come back to you at the appropriate time for your participation in the formulation of the new five-year strategic plan 2025-2029”, he added.

In his speech, the Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda, Mgr. Arnaldo Sánchez Catalán, underlined that Caritas is not just a matter of initiating social projects and humanitarian strategies that are successful and effective, but rather it is engaging an ongoing process of communion, of love in every nation. “Caritas, distinguishes you, make your difference from all other agencies working in the world. Thank you for your commitment and may God bless your solutions for 2024. It is essential for you to always go back to the source of your work, which is God’s love for us and our vocation to love in return. Precisely, because of the identity of Caritas depends directly on the mission it has received this love of God and the love of the Church for all people”, he added.

Bishop Arnaldo Sánchez Catalán, Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda, delivering the speech to the General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda 2024.

The 2023 activities report was presented following the 4 departments of Caritas Rwanda, namely: The Administrative and Financial Department, the Socio-Welfare Department, the Health Department and the Development Department. In general, activities that were planned for 2023 were achieved on average of more than 90%.

During this General Assembly, there were discussions on strengthening strategies to increase charity month collections and get them to their intended destination. In 2023, the Diocesan Caritas of Ruhengeri was the most successful by raising Frw 25,198,908 of funds, followed by the Diocesan Caritas of Kigali which raised Frw 21,265,925.

The Natural Family Planning (NFP) program was also discussed, where 37,237 couples benefited from NFP services (including 6,544 new couples in 2023) according to the Health Department’s report of 2023. The General Assembly participants proposed giving cards to couples using NFP services as identification in case they are questioned about their family planning method.

The General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda made several recommendations including those related to the collaboration and synergy between Caritas and the various commissions of the C.EP.R, the strengthening of several existing activities and strategies to increase funds for self-reliance and sustainability of Caritas, the celebration of Caritas Day / World Day of the Poor at all levels, as well as the animation of integral human development with emphasis on young people.

March 18, 2024

Through its project RBF Enabel, Caritas Rwanda have conducted various annual meetings (one in each of the 10 Diocesan Caritas) with individuals linked with the Natural Family Planning Program (NFP) for the year 2022/2023 from 27th February to 15th March 2024. These meetings aimed at reviewing achievements, discussing upcoming activities, addressing challenges, and proposing solutions in regard to the NFP.

In addition to the above-mentioned objectives, these meetings were also organized to discuss long-term strategies and discuss the activities planned for the year 2023/2024.

The above meetings were organized with the support of the Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), through the Belgian Development Agency (Enabel).

NFP meeting – Caritas Nyundo/Kibuye on 15th March 2024.

Organized annually, the meetings on NFP in each Diocesan Caritas bring together the director of diocesan Caritas, the head of the family commission of the Diocese, the parish priest (all parishes), managers of hospitals and Approved Health Training (FOSA), as well as as the in charge of NFP Program in hospitals and health facilities.

March 4, 2024

27 Saving and Internal Lending Community groups from Nyabiheke Refugee camp and its host community supported by the PRM/PAC Project shared out Rwf 97,193,695 including Rwf 29,995,695 of interest. The share-out event took place at Nyabiheke camp stadium on 29th February 2024.

With a total of 583 members, the 27 SILC groups – 19 from the Nyabiheke camp and 8 from the host community – are supported by the PRM/PAC Project, which is implemented by Caritas Rwanda, with funds from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration under the coordination of World Vision Rwanda.

Within one year, those 27 SILC groups have saved up to Frw 67,198,000 and Rwf 29,995,695 of interest from internal credits, making a sum of Rwf 97,193,695 from March 2023 to 29th February 2024.

The SILC group from the Camp with the highest share out amount received Rwf 10,800,000 (Dukundane Q7A), while the host community group with the highest savings received Rwf 4,338,330 Rwf (Hindukirawigire Mugera).

The SILC member with the highest savings in the camp is Aline Nyirangirimana from the Korawigire Q3 SILC group who got Rwf 793,600 while the one from the host community is Ugirikirezi Claire from Tuzamurane Agakomeye SILC group who got Rwf 368,160.

February 26, 2024
February 26, 2024

From 12th February 2024, at Centre Saint Paul de Kigali, Caritas Rwanda’s Igire-Gimbuka Program together with 3 other Igire Implementing Partners (IPs) funded by PEPFAR through USAID Rwanda, conducted an 11-day training of 24 people on Families Matter! Program. 9 of 24 candidates received their final certificates.

After a 6-day theoretical training on FMP, only 16 candidates were successful and have followed a 5-day practice week where 9 only were fully successful. Three of the rest received provisional certificates with the expectation to receive the final ones once some requirements are met.

This training was conducted with the  aim of increasing the number of the FMP facilitators in all OVC_DREAMS covered districts. Other IPs that joined Caritas in this activity are FXB, YWCA and DUHAMIC ADRI.

FMP training session.

After the training, the certified FMP facilitators will conduct FMP sessions for parents to empower parents/caregivers of OVC/AGYW on good parenting skills, discussions about sexuality and sexual education between parents and their children, that is evident to contribute to the prevention of new infections of HIV & GBV among adolescents (girls and boys) and young women from different IPs where the IGIRE is implemented.

As potential master trainers, the FMP facilitators received an in-depth knowledge about how Families Matter! Program works that prepares them to deliver the FMP Training of Trainers. The training comprises of series of sessions around theories used in FMP, the FMP Logic Model, trainer roles and responsibilities, working with a co-trainer, adult learning principles, effective communication skills among others.

In addition, the trainees learned the concept of reproductive health as applied in positive parenting between a parent and a child, a deep discussion and understanding of prevention of gender based violence among others.

February 26, 2024

Parents whose children are cared for in Nurturing Care Hubs (NCH) supported by the Gikuriro Kuri Bose (GKB) program assure that even if the program’s funding were to cease, the NCHs would still be able to function thanks to the parents’ commitment to support these NCH after experiencing the moral and intellectual growth of their children. They made these remarks when CRS (national and regional) and Caritas Rwanda’s communications staff visited the districts of Burera, Nyabihu, and Rulindo from February 20 to 22, 2024.

Gikuriro Kuri Bose aims to improve the health, functioning, nutritional status, and wellbeing of women of reproductive age and children under five years of age, with an emphasis on the 1,000-day window, strengthen inclusion of children and adults with disabilitiesand improve positive parenting and child development.

IGKB supports 55 Nurturing Care Hubs in Burera (22), Nyabihu (10) and Rulindo (23) districts. The program builds the premises (each NCH having a village chief’s office), provides toys for the children, school and kitchen equipment, trains caregivers and provides a part of the porridge flour (the rest come from the parents), and kitchen utensils. The program also enrols parents in savings and internal Lending Community groups. provides training in crafting skills, and offers a cash grant of Rwf 30,000 to purchase materials needed to produce craft products for sale. GKB also offers ongoing advice, monitoring, and evaluation of the NCHs to ensure their success.

The three NCHs that were visited are located in the villages of Gatovu (Burera district), Pfundo (Nyabihu district) and Gaseke (in Rulindo).

Parents in these communities have expressed gratitude for the introduction of NCHs by GKB. Before the establishment of these centres, children under seven were often left at home while their parents worked on the farm or engaged in other income-generating activities. This left the children vulnerable to accidents and illnesses.

Betty Uwitonze is one of the parents raising their children in the NCH from Gatovu village, Bugari cell, Rwerere sector in the Burera district. As she says, after his son of 3 years and 6 months started going to NCH, he became surprisingly sharp and intelligent. “He knows all the vowels and consonants, he knows how to count in English one, two, three, four up to ten. So I am happy that when he goes to primary school he will not be lost”, she said excitedly.

Parents take turns helping educators at early childhood development centers, to care for the children.

After experiencing these numerous benefits, parents are confident that the NCHs will continue to operate effectively. They are dedicated to keeping these NCHs operating smoothly on a regular basis, even if support from the Gikuriro Kuri Bose were to cease. Parents actively assist caregivers by taking turns preparing meals for the children and ensuring that there is enough flour for the children’s porridge. Additionally, the internal savings and lending groups help parents generate income to purchase small livestock to provide their families with protein or the ingredients they need for a balanced diet. In these groups, they make various handicrafts and sell them, thereby earning additional income.

Parents gathering in a Saving and Internal Lending Community group.

Inclusive Nutrition and Early Childhood program (Gikuriro Kuri Bose) is a 5-year USAID funded project (2021-2026) and implemented by Caritas Rwanda in partnership with CRS Rwanda (overall coordination of implementation).

Gikuriro Kuri Bose is carried out in 10 districts, with Caritas Rwanda specifically implementing the program in only 3 districts: Rulindo, Burera and Nyabihu. Except Caritas Rwanda, there are other implementers in the remaining districts: AEE (Rwamagana, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge); YWCA (Ngoma and Kayonza) and DUHAMIC ADRI (Nyamasheke and Nyanza).

February 14, 2024

To improve the economic status of projects/programmes’ participants, Caritas Rwanda focuses on strengthening their financial capacity through savings and lending activities. Through VSLA groups, programmes’ participants are imparted with the necessary skills and knowledge in the selection, planning, and management of income-generating activities. In all these interventions and many others, Caritas Rwanda collaborates with specific beneficiaries whose identities and numbers are accurately documented. In addition to these, some benefit from the fruits of these interventions indirectly because they are not officially counted, called spillover effects. Those from the youth programmes, Youth For Youth (Y4Y) and Gera Ku Ntego (GKN), testify to these spillover effects.

The advantages of participating in VSLA groups are evident, as testified by Josephine Nyirangiramahoro. She is a member of the Twitezimbere Rubyiruko from the Rusizi district, Muganza sector, Gakoni cell, and Muhuta village. In 2022, she started her business of selling cassava flour with an initial capital of 50,000 Rwf. Through this business, she assisted her husband, who works as a farmer, in providing for the needs of their five children. She is so content with what she has achieved as two of their children have now graduated from high school. She has paid off the debt and her business is now equivalent to 80,000 Rwf. “My gains are significant considering the wide range of expenses they cover”, she asserts.

Members one of the VSLA with Caritas Rwanda’s employees (Development Department).

When asked about the advantages of having a mother who is a member of a savings and lending group, Lydie Tuyizere, 22, expresses that her family’s situation has significantly improved. Ever since her mother, Joséphine Nyirangiramahoro, joined the VSLA group, they no longer go to bed hungry. Additionally, being a part of this group has instilled in their family the significance of hard work and saving, not because of the surplus, but because of sacrifice and restraint. After her high school education, Lydie works alongside her mother in selling cassava flour, which allows her to earn a modest income and save 6000 Rwf per month in her savings group Dukorerehamwe. “I learned this from my mother,” she proudly states.

Uwizeyimana Olivier is a member of the VSLA Duterimbere in the Rusizi district, Kamembe sector, Cyangugu cell, Karangiro village. At the age of 25, Olivier, hailing from a family of 11 children, made the courageous decision to alleviate the burden on his family. Olivier not only assists his siblings with their school fees, as five of them are still pursuing their education but also shoulders the responsibility of healthcare expenses (CBHI) for his modest family, who rely on daily labour to make ends meet.

Before joining the VSLA group, Olivier had saved 500,000 Rwf as he was working with a businessman. In September 2021, he joined the DUTERIMBERERUBYIRUKO VSLA group, where he borrowed 300,000 Rwf he added to his savings to establish a shop with a value of 800,00 Rwf. He further borrowed 119,000 Rwf to expand the range of products available in his shop. He has successfully repaid all his debts, and his shop is now worth 3 million Rwf. Looking ahead, Olivier envisions building a house of 10 million Rwf. This ambitious goal serves as a testament to his unwavering hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Olivier in his shop.

The success stories of Oliver, Joséphine and Lydie illustrate how VSLA groups broaden the horizons of their members and foster a forward-looking mindset. One of the characteristics of development is the number of choices available to people. VSLA groups undoubtedly have the potential to offer these choices to their members, a path for their development and that of their families. As Caritas Rwanda’s mission is to help people in need and promote integral human development, there would be no better intervention than to help participants in its programmes stand on their own feet through VSLA groups.

Emmanuel Uwiragiye

Department of Development Director / Caritas Rwanda

February 6, 2024

From 29th to 30th January 2024, the Igire Implementing Partners, relevant government stakeholders, and USAID Rwanda teams participated in the Igire field visit and learning activity organized by Caritas Rwanda Igire-Gimbuka for OVC in the Nyamasheke district.

This field visit and learning activity was organized to gain a deeper understanding of the services provided to Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). The objective was to explore the delivery approach and the collaboration with existing structures, including community volunteers, health facilities, and local leadership, to provide comprehensive clinical and community-based services to OVC.

In the afternoon of 29th January, the above-mentioned activity started with a brief session on the OVC program by Caritas Rwanda, as well as the itinerary and services to be visited. After the presentation, the participants asked a lot of questions, especially focusing on the non-suppressing program participants. It was revealed that only 1% of the 2003 program participants, who were living with HIV according to the Igire-Gimbuka presentation, fell into this category.

The Igire-Gimbuka team responded by stating that there are numerous factors contributing to this issue, with a common one being the reluctance of young participants to accept the situation. In light of this, the USAID team recommended that the Igire-Gimbuka team undertake comprehensive research to identify the specific reasons behind this resistance. By doing so, they can then provide the necessary support to help these individuals overcome their reluctance and effectively suppress the issue at hand.

The participant appreciated the Family Matters Program qualifying it as important not only for the program participants but also for the whole society.  However, they raised concerns about its sustainability following the closure of the Igire-Gimbuka. The Igire-Gimbuka team said that working with the existing structures such as local leaders, IZU, and Umugoroba w’Umuryango who are involved. This collaborative effort will ensure the long-term sustainability of the Family Matters Program.

Another question was raised regarding the methods to effectively influence the mindset of children participating in the CBIM Program, to transform them into non-violent individuals. In response, the Igire-Program team emphasized their comprehensive approach, which involves continuous assessment of the children’s behavior and their adherence to sharing information, as well as their active prevention of gender-based violence (GBV). Additionally, a tool is employed before commencing the module to gauge the children’s comprehension of GBV prevention, and another assessment is conducted upon completion to determine the extent of their mindset transformation.

On January 30, the various participants in this activity visited the Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) clubs of GS Nyanza (Bushekeri Sector) and GS Saint Nicholas (Kagano Sector), interacted with Case Management Volunteers (CMVs), Linkage Facilitators and staff at Kibogora Hospital and Gisakura Health Center. They also met with Igire-Gimbuka TVET Graduates on jobs at Gisakura Tea Factory and Atelier Hope/ Agakiriro.

Lambert Dushimimana, the Governor of the Western Province, interacting with children members of CBIM club at GS Saint Nicholas (Kagano Sector).

After interacting with Case Management Volunteers (CMVs), Linkage Facilitators, and staff at Kibogora Hospital, Mr Lambert Dushimimana, the Governor of the Western Province, urged the Igire-Gimbuka participants to seize the opportunity they have to become resilient. The children members of Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) clubs were encouraged to spread messages preventing GBV.

On the following day (January 31), the Igire Implementing Partners, relevant government stakeholders, and USAID Rwanda teams participated in the Igire field visit and learning activity organized by FXB’s Igire-Turengere Abana for DREAMS in the Nyanza district.

January 27, 2024

During their Journey of Hope in Rwanda to better understand the work carried out by CRS Rwanda and meet key stakeholders and partners, the CRS Board members and donors met with Caritas Rwanda team on Friday 26th January 2024. The conversation centered on the two organizations’ current partnership, fundraising strategies, and potential future knowledge sharing.

On the first day of their visit (January 22), these visitors together with CRS Rwanda and Caritas Rwanda staff attended a holy mass celebration at Saint Michel Cathedral. The visitors also met with his eminence Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, and they discussed the ongoing CRS partnership with the Catholic Church in Rwanda.

Group photo of CRS representatives, CRS Rwanda employees and Caritas Rwanda employees after the celebration of the Holy Mass at Saint Michel Cathedral.

The delegation also paid a visit to the Youth for Youth Project participants (implemented by the 3 diocesan Caritas and Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle, under the coordination of Caritas Rwanda and funding from USAID through CRS Rwanda) from the Rubavu District on 23rd January 2024, where they visited Jean D’Amour Tubanambazi, who cultivates mushrooms and combat the malnutrition in his local community, and Irakoze Obed who owns an agro-veterinary Pharmacy.

After meeting the Youth entrepreneurs, the guests visited as well the Diocese of Nyundo met Bishop Anaclet Mwumvaneza and discussed the ongoing partnership between CRS and the Diocese of Nyundo. Bishop Anaclet appreciated the support offered by CRS as a rapid response to the floods that affected the Diocese.

On 25th January 2024, at Nyirabashenyi Nurturing Care Hub in Nyabihu District, Gikuriro Kuri Bose team hosted the CRS country office representatives (donors, board members, Vice president), a trip to learn more about inclusive nutrition, food security, economic strengthening and ECD interventions to improve optimal nurturing care practices among families having children under five years. Caritas Rwanda was represented by Father Jean Paul, director of Caritas Nyundo/Gisenyi.

CRS representatives and donors at at Nyirabashenyi Nurturing Care Hub in Nyabihu District.

The Nyabihu District leaders appreciated the tremendous achievements of Gikuriro Kuri Bose Program (2015-2020), great contribution in stunting reduction from 59% in 2015 to 46% in 2020. They have also commended CRS and Caritas Rwanda for the effective collaboration and partnership in Nyabihu.

January 4, 2024
January 4, 2024

A story of change

Chantal Nyiramahire, a 42-year-old Congolese refugee and mother of four children, has completed primary education and lives in the Kiziba refugee camp.

In 2012, she received tailoring training but struggled to succeed due to a lack of business knowledge and her family’s poverty, consuming only one meal daily.

After being selected as a Caritas Rwanda’s beneficiary through the Poverty Alleviation Coalition (PAC) project in 2021, she was provided with different sessions of training including Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, income-generating activities, and an empowered world view among others which shaped her mind in terms of running profitable businesses. that capacity building was accompanied with a cash grant of 80,000RwF (around USD800) to run her business of cloth manufacturing.

After receiving that cash grant in March 2023, she began manufacturing and selling African loincloths and sewing for customers. With PAC Project training, she expanded to the US, targeting fellow refugees who went there for resettlement. “My business permits me to earn around Frw 115,000 monthly net profit, in addition to the sewing fees, and that allows me to take care of my family. As of now, we can’t run out of vegetables at home and we eat twice a day”. She declared.

She also claims to save Frw 10,000 in her savings group every week and to have Frw 4,200,000 in her bank account. Her working capital today is around 2.6 million Rwandan francs.

First and foremost, I appreciate the training I received, which is particularly beneficial to me. “Even now, I share my knowledge with my friends and teach them how to save and develop,” Chantal says, smiling.

To watch Chantal’s testimonial click here

December 11, 2023

Caritas Rwanda through the Igire-Gimbuka program, joined MIGEPROF and the Rubavu district and other partners, in the GBV clinic held in the Rubavu district on 5th, 6th and 8th December 2023. 120 pregnant and teen mothers accompanied by their parents benefited from various services, including psychological support and health services. The GBV clinic was held in alignment with the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

A total of 120 teenage mothers from four sectors of the Rubavu District, namely Rugerero, Rubavu, Kanama and Nyamyumbabenefited from sessions that helped them recover from trauma (as well as their parents). The sessions includedvoluntary HIV testing, screening for non-communicable diseases, accessing the national civil status services (birth registration), support in the formulation of new complaints, measure the weight and height of their children. In cases where the measurements were not satisfactory teenage mothers were provided with advice and guidance.

A RIB officer, helping a teenage mother to file her complaint during the GBV Clinic.

On the first day, the teen mothers (with their children) followed informative speeches on the importance of good education, rights of the child, encouragement to resume their studies. They were as well sensitized on the importance of proper healthcare and a balanced diet

The teen mothers also had the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to their health, national civil status services and the process of returning to school. Indeed, they asked for the maximum timeframe within which a child who has been raped should be taken to the hospital to receive HIV prevention medication. They were informed that the child must receive the medication within 48 hours or 3 days following the incident.

These teen mothers also raised the issue of unregistered births. Some of them were orphans and had not been registered themselves, while others had registered their children under false names. There were even cases where children were not registered at all. The officials from the civil status services who attended assured them that these problems will be quickly resolved.

After the motivational speech encouraging the teen mothers to return to school, the adolescents expressed their desire to pursue education. However, they  raised concerns about who would take care of their children, and the obstacle in obtaining school materials and other educational related needs. In response, they were informed that there are partners ready to provide assistance, especially Caritas Rwanda through its Igire-Gimbuka Program and their local sectors. Furthermore, it was mentioned that most parents were willing to take care of their grandchildren when adolescent girls will go back to school, and arrangements would be made for the children to attend ECD to facilitate parents of the teen mothers to carry out their daily activities.

In her opening speech, Mrs Pacifique Ishimwe, Vice Mayor of the Rubavu district in charge of social affairs, emphasized that being a teenage mother does not diminish one’s importance or hinder the realization of her dreams.. She reassured the teen mothers that all problems have solutions and that their contribution is essential to solving theirs.

Mrs Pacifique Ishimwe, Vice Mayor of the Rubavu district reassured the teen mothers that all problems have solutions and that their contribution is essential to solving theirs.

On the second day, the parents accompanied their children (teenage mothers). They participated in the psychological support sessions to overcome the trauma resulting from the pregnancy of teenage mothers (for them and for their parents but separately). There were also sessions to encourage child mothers to return to school, which is beneficial for teen mothers and their parents.

After the second day, parents and teenage mothers also came together to share what they had learned and gained throughout the GBV clinic. There were also discussions within each family, where the teen mothers shared their aspirations about what they want to do, whether to resume their studies or pursue  professional training. Some of the teen mothers expressed a need for financial support to start an income-generating activity. Their wishes have been recorded.

Discussions within each family.

On the final day of the GBV clinic, the adolescents accompanied by their parents met with local authorities from their residence and various partners, to discuss on how they can assist to handle the teenage mothers’ problems.

The statistics provided by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, as observed in the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey 2019-2020 published in March 2022[1], the teenage pregnancy is at 5.1% among women aged 15-19 countrywide and 4.1% Western province (Rubavu: 5.5%, Karongi: 0.5%, Rutsiro: 2.1% and Nyamasheke: 2.2%). These alarming figures show how many of these children face various problems including dropping out of school, harassment from their family members, and struggling to provide for their children due to poverty, and family conflicts, among many others.

[1] https://www.statistics.gov.rw/publication/1779

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