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 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.
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.
