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Monthly Archives: March 2024

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

142 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) from Karongi and Nyamasheke districts supported by the PEPFAR/USAID funded Igire-Gimbuka Program have received, on 28th and 29th April 2024, the start-up kits from this program implemented by Caritas Rwanda. These OVC have recently graduated from TVET schools in Automotive Engine Technology, Bricks and Stone Masonry, Domestic Electricity, Fitting and Welding, Hair Dressing and Tailoring.

The startup kits were distributed to enable them to create their own businesses. 70 OVCs come from Nyamasheke District while the other 72 come from Karongi District.  After accomplishing a 6-month Technical and Vocational training and education in various domains, they also accomplished a 3-month internship.

In the startup kits handling ceremony held on 28th April 2024 in Nyamasheke District, Charles Dusabimana, the Private Sector Federation (PSF) representative in Nyamasheke District, told this youth that they have many opportunities to work as businessmen/women after getting the equipment, encouraging them to participate in many trainings provided by PSF and ask for advice (to PSF) whenever they need it.

Distribution of startup kits in Nyamasheke.

As for the Vice Mayor of Nyamasheke District in charge of social affairs, Mrs. Athanasie Mukankusi, she advised these young people to take care of the received startup kits, reminding them that it is an opportunity for them to improve themselves economically. She thanked Caritas Rwanda through the Igire-Gimbuka Program, for helping this youth get out extreme poverty.

Distribution of the startup kits by Mrs. Athanasie Mukankusi, the Vice Mayor in charge of social affairs and Vedaste Rutayisire, the Igire-Gimbuka program coordinator in Nyamasheke District.

The following table illustrates the vocational trainings and the relative number of OVCs by district:

Trade

Karongi

Nyamasheke

Grand total
Female Male Total Female Male Total
Automotive Engine Technology

8 8 3 12 15

23

Bricks and Stone Masonry

2 2 1 1

3

Domestic Electricity

1 1

1

Fitting and Welding

5 5 9 15 24

29

Hair Dressing

2

2

2

Tailoring

52

1 53 30 1 31

84

Grand total

54

16 70 42 30 72

142