Monthly Archives: July 2024

After three years of implementation, The PRM/PAC Project  that was implemented by Caritas Rwanda since August 2021 under coordination of  World Vision Rwanda coordination was  closed out on 23^rd July 2024 in Nyabiheke Refugee Camp.

The PRM/PAC project focused on four main pillars: social protection, livelihoods, financial inclusion, and social inclusion. It aimed to assist 800 households, comprising 550 households from the Nyabiheke Refugee Camp and 250 from the host community by utilizing the graduation approach.

As achievements, the PRM/PAC Project has established 27 saving groups with 768 participants. Out of the 800 targeted households, 768 were trained and received cash grants,  while 47 young individuals were supported in the TVET Program, with 95% of them successfully implementing their income-generating activities. 65 Households including 25 refugees and 40 Rwandans received consumption fee.

From April 2023 to March 2024, the 27 saving groups shared 97,193,690 Rwf including 11,386,984 Rwf of interest. Every SILC Group has been linked with the financial institution for bank account opening.

One of the PRM/PAC project participants, Espérance Ahadi, testified that she received training and a cash grant of Frw 800,000, which allowed her to open a shop. Currently, she has 3,500,000 Frw in capital. “At the times, we started the saving groups, we used to save 200 Frw on weekly basis, but now we save from 6,000 up to Frw10,000 Frw”, she said.

Another project participant, Jean De Dieu Habarukize who’s running an agricultural project, said that he made 4,000,000 Frw from the harvest of his Cayenne planted. Later he also grew vegetables including cucumbers and green beans. Jean De Dieu says that the support he received has changed his life: “I have now built a beautiful house, a suitable house for a PAC partner”, he added.

Various speeches of the guests returned to the graduation approach utilized by the PRM/PAC project, reminding the participants that the project goal was to help them becoming self-reliant and encouraged them to continue in this way and they are asked to continue in this way by working together in saving groups.

Addressing the participants, the Secretary General of Caritas Rwanda, Father Oscar Kagimbura, thanked the various partners who contributed to the implementation of the PRM/PAC Project. In addition, Father Oscar explained to the participants that Caritas meand “love” and that even though this project is over, Caritas will remain, because it is operational even at the basic ecclesial community level.

Additionally, the Caritas Rwanda Secretary General encouraged participants in similar income-generating activities to form cooperatives and collaborate with financial institutions. “From district authorities to village level, representatives of security organs, please, be close to these participants, help them join cooperatives”, he urged everyone, emphasizing the need of keeping an eye on the achievements.

Nzayisenga Gilbert, who represented the Mayor of Gatsibo District, thanked the project participants who started providing jobs and assured them that the local government would keep an eye on their progress to ensure they don’t run into deficits, particularly since they have a list of individuals who received financial grants.

By mutual agreement, Caritas Rwanda and World Vision Rwanda have given 27 project volunteers the bicycles they used to facilitate their daily work. At the end of the event, participants visited exhibition stands and engaged with participants.

A team from Caritas Rwanda and Caritas Byumba staff members held a collaborative meeting to strategize on fundraising initiatives for Charity Month, the implementation of recommendations stemming from the 2023 Caritas Rwanda General Assembly, evaluation of Caritas Rwanda’s strategic plan 2020-2024, and to begin the process of developing a new strategic plan for 2025-2030.

In an effort to enhance Caritas’ visibility, it was agreed that Caritas Byumba will regularly write articles to be published in Caritas Rwanda’s annual magazine “CaritasContact” and in Kinyamateka (both online and in printed). Additionally, Caritas Byumba is actively engaged in programs on Radio Maria Rwanda, like other diocesan Caritas.

Still within the framework of Caritas’ visibility, this meeting returned to the recommendation of the General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda concerning the celebration of the Caritas Day and the Internation Day of the Poor where it was noted that many parishes celebrate these days on the same day due to lack of means. Both parties recalled that Caritas Day serves to acknowledge the dedication of volunteers and inspire young individuals to embrace the Caritas Spirit by engaging in voluntary work. On the other hand, the Day of the Poor, centers on 3 main activities namely: the celebration of mass with the poor, sharing meals with them and providing them with gifts, all in order to restore their dignity.

Caritas Byumba staff expressed their support for the recommendation to enhance assistance for integral human development, particularly focusing on young individuals. They noted that while Caritas is active in schools and universities, not all of them have established committees. In response, Caritas Byumba is currently facilitating the connection of volunteers with these educational institutions to conduct awareness campaigns on the values and mission of Caritas.

To successfully achieve the desired results for the Month of Charity, it was decided to conduct awareness-raising broadcasts on Radio Maria Rwanda, Pacis TV, and various other communication channels.

Regarding the mid-term evaluation of the planned activities for 2024 in the Department of Social Welfare, the staff at Caritas Byumba have indicated that they are currently in the process of collecting all the necessary reports to assess the progress made thus far. A meeting has been scheduled for August 12th and 13th, 2024, to review the implementation of the activities planned for January to June 2024.

Regarding the upcoming strategic plan for Caritas Rwanda 2025-2030, participants in the meeting suggested that it should align with the Government of Rwanda’s plan, as Christians are also citizens of the country. They emphasized the importance of a concise and easily understandable reporting framework for this plan.

After the meeting, the team from Caritas Rwanda and Caritas Byumba paid a visit to the Home Sainte Thérèse de l’Enfant Jésus. a center that cares for vulnerable and disabled elderly people. During the visit, the residents of the center shared heartfelt testimonials, expressing their gratitude to the Caritas representatives for bringing messages of love and comfort. They conveyed that they have found love and compassion within the center, thanks to the dedicated care provided by the sisters of the Abizeramariya congregation.

Starting by 9^th July 2024, Caritas Rwanda organized a 2-day workshop between its Development Department and the Development Coordinators from 10 diocesan Caritas. This workshop aims to evaluate the accomplishments made from January to June 2024, while also reflecting on the Caritas Rwanda strategic plan for 2020-2024.

In his opening remarks, Prosper Sebagenzi, the Programmes’ Director at Caritas Rwanda urged the development coordinators to redouble their efforts to assist the impoverished individuals around us to lift themselves out of poverty.

Prosper Sebagenzi emphasized that Caritas Rwanda’s new strategic plan will span a period of six years, from 2025 to 2030, aligning with the strategic plan of Caritas Internationalis. “This alignment will enable us to work in harmony with the global Caritas network towards achieving our shared goals”, he said.

The workshop was concluded by Father Oscar Kagimbura, the Secretary General of Caritas Rwanda. He revisited the theme of the Synod, “Walking Together”, urging all participants to strengthen the existing collaboration to ensure the dignity of the poor and vulnerable is respected. Just as the Church embodies this commitment, the Development department at both Caritas Rwanda and diocesan levels should also embrace this ethos of collaboration.

The Secretary General emphasized the importance of inclusivity, urging participants to ensure that no one is left behind or neglected. This would contradict Caritas’s mission of restoring dignity to those whose vulnerabilities have stripped it away. In addition, he called on Development department coordinators to focus on empowering the poor and vulnerable, with a clear goal of helping them become self-reliant rather than dependent on aid. Dignity entails taking responsibility for one’s own life.

Furthermore, the Development department should not only assist those facing adversity but also work towards addressing the root causes of vulnerability, he added.

Concerning the Caritas Rwanda Strategic plan 2020–2024 and the activities that were planned from January to June 2024, all were implemented even if it is not on the same level as many of the activities rely on external funds. The participants proposed following new interventions:

1. Strengthen the Entrepreneurship Skills of Youth to Make Them Job Creators;
2. Promote Youth Effective Participation in Gainful Agriculture;
3. Promote Vocational Training, Internship, and Apprenticeship Among Youth;
4. Contribute to the Electrification in Rural Areas Through Off-Grid Solutions and Building or Rehabilitating Water Channels.

This workshop also was an occasion of introducing the participant coordinators to Data Protection, Gender Equality, and Social Inclusion. They learned how to effectively use and protect beneficiary data, while also ensuring inclusivity and addressing gender-specific needs in all interventions.

The Tubeho Neza Aheza project, which aims to promote a decent life and equality in a healthy environment in Rwanda, was officially launched on July 5, 2024, by Pascasie Umuhoza, the Vice Mayor of Karongi District responsible for Social Affairs.

This project is funded by Caritas Slovenia and the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will be implemented by Caritas Nyundo/Kibuye in coordination with Caritas Rwanda. The Tubeho Neza Aheza project aims to tackle challenges related to access to natural and financial resources and reduce gender inequality and gender-based violence (GBV), with a focus on women and girls in 1,595 impoverished households from the Rugabano, Gashari, Rwankuba, and Mutuntu sectors.

The event commenced with a brief prayer led by Father Elie Hatangimbabazi, the Director of Caritas Nyundo/Kibuye, who also delivered welcoming remarks. Following the prayer, a presentation was given on the new project. The presentation outlined key activities that will be implemented across six main results, including:

1. Enhancing sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices to increase the production of nutrient-rich food for the most vulnerable individuals;
2. Raising awareness on environmental protection and providing better access to equipment and materials that promote the sustainable use of natural resources, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
3. Efficiently utilizing and monitoring available water resources, improving drinking water supply, sanitation, hygiene and field irrigation;
4. Enhancing the capacities and skills of vulnerable individuals and authorities to monitor and utilize natural resources effectively for income-generation;
5. Providing vulnerable adults and young people, particularly women and girls, with improved access to financial resources to contribute to the family budget;
6. Enhancing knowledge and response to gender-based violence (GBV) and other forms of violence, as well as resolving conflicts through non-violent communication.

After the presentation detailing the project’s goal of empowering vulnerable individuals and communities to achieve self-sufficiency, environmental consciousness, and resilience in the face of challenges, a discussion was opened for further clarification and advice.

During this event, Vice Mayor Pascasie Umuhoza expressed her appreciation for the project’s contribution to improving the lives of beneficiaries through its planned activities. She extended her gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Caritas Slovenia, Caritas Rwanda, and Caritas Nyundo Kibuye for their past contributions, which have significantly enhanced the lives of the people in Karongi District. She also pledged their continued collaboration throughout the implementation of this project.

The event was attended by various key figures including the district Agronomist, representatives from four sectors (Rugabano, Gashari, Mutuntu, and Rwankuba), Parish priests from Birambo, Mubuga, Nyange, Mukungu, and Gisovu Parishes, as well as representatives from the Soeurs Fille de la Charité, including one from Slovenia.

Also in attendance were Father Elie Hatangimbabazi, the Director of Caritas Nyundo Kibuye, the Coordinator of the Development Department of Caritas Nyundo Kibuye, and the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Officer (Caritas Nyundo-Kibuye) and the Tubeho Neza Aheza Project staff members.

In order to raise awareness about the significance of early HIV diagnosis, adherence to treatment, viral load suppression, and combating stigma and discrimination among adolescents in secondary schools, Caritas Rwanda conducted an awareness campaign calling the Karongi District in school students to do HIV voluntary testing, on 27 and 28 June 2024.

The message was conveyed through football matches, drama, debates and poetry by students from the following schools: Groupe Scolaire Saint Michel (Mubuga Sector), Groupe Scolaire Saint Nicolas (Bwishyura Sector), Groupe Scolaire Saint Joseph Birambo (Gashali Sector) and Ecole secondaire TSS Ngoma (Rugabano Sector).

Caritas Rwanda staff involved in this activity encouraged these young people to get tested for HIV accompanied by their parents for those under 18, in order to know their status, and to take ARV immediately in case the test turns out to be positive. The messages also focused on sexual abstinence, the fight against discrimination and stigma against HIV positive people.

During the football matches, the Groupe Scolaire Saint Nicholas emerged victorious with a score of 3-0 against the Groupe Scolaire Saint Michel, at the Karora football pitch on 27/06/2024. On the next day, at the Birambo football pitch, the Groupe Scolaire Saint Joseph Birambo won with a score of 7 against 0 of Ecole Secondaire TSS Ngoma. The winning teams received a trophy and a football ball.

On this occasion, there was a debate presented by the anti-AIDS club of the Group Scolaire Saint Joseph Birambo, with the following theme: “abstinence is the safest way to prevent HIV among young people”. It was the affirmative camp that won.

This campaign is part of the Faith Initiative Project funded by Caritas Internationalis through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). It is implemented in four countries namely: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

The Catholic Church Health Services National Coordination Meeting was held in Karongi from June 19 to 21, 2024. The primary goal of this meeting was to assess the progress of the Caritas Rwanda Strategic Plan 2020-2024 / Health and develop new health strategies to be included in the upcoming strategic plan for2025-2030.

During the meeting, participants also reviewed the recommendations from the 2023 Caritas Rwanda General Assembly for the Health Department. They discussed the advancements made in various Community-based Health Projects such as Gikuriro Kuri Bose, RBF Malaria, RBF Enabel, ECD, Hepatitis B Birth Dose, and Faith Initiative. Additionally, there were brainstorming sessions on enhancing collaboration between the Episcopal Commission for Pastoral Health and the Catholic Church Health Services.

In his opening speech, His Excellency Bishop Anaclet Mwumvaneza, the Bishop of Nyundo Diocese and President of Caritas Rwanda, highlighted the Catholic Church’s commitment to improving the health of Rwandan citizens through its 10 hospitals and 110 health centers. He emphasized the cooperation agreement between the Catholic Church and the Ministry of Health, stating that the Church’s mission in health care is rooted in promoting human health without discrimination.

Donatien Bajyanama, who represented the Ministry of Health, in his speech, said that this meeting was organized on time because in June 2024, the Government of Rwanda will close the Fourth Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSB4) and the National Strategy for Transformation in its first phase (NST1), and then start the new ones, where unrealized activities will be prioritized.

Mr. Bajyanama also announced to the participants that a bonus would be given to health professionals working in the most remote areas as a way to motivate them. He stated, “The specific amount of these bonuses will soon be disclosed to the remote health centers.” In response to inquiries about old buildings, he assured that efforts would be made to collaborate on their renovation. Additionally, he suggested that the Catholic Church should prioritize renovation projects for old buildings, especially if government funding becomes available.

In the discussion regarding the collaboration between the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral of Healthcare and Catholic Church health services, Father Senani Callixte, the commission secretary, emphasized the importance of providing spiritual and moral support to patients, their families, and medical staff. It was agreed that all hospitals and health centers affiliated with the Catholic Church should have chapels. For those facilities that do not currently have chapels, it was recommended that a designated room be made available for individuals to pray and seek solace. This initiative aims to ensure that individuals in hospitals and health centers have access to spiritual guidance and support during times of need.

On the question of the health commission members in Catholic Church hospitals, it was agreed that the composition should be evenly split between members from the Church and those from outside. However, the current ratio is 40% from the Church and 60% from outside, which does not align with the agreed-upon 50/50 split.

Mr. Donatien Bajyanama suggested that the representative of the hospital owner should no longer be part of the hospital management committee to prevent interference in the higher committee. However, participants requested that this position be reinstated, with the specification that it would be filled by the chaplain.

In terms of family educators, it was decided that individuals at the parish level will be selected based on their interest in the role and will receive training accordingly.

Furthermore, the meeting reviewed the recommendations from the 2023 General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda and noted that they are being implemented as necessary.

The representatives of the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) made a presentation on the updates on the current status of receivables and payment terms for Mutuelle de santé invoices by RSSB. The participants showed their interest in this information by asking many questions, which made them understand that payments are delayed because the documents do not meet the required conditions.

During this conference, there were also presentations on the achievements of different community health projects (Gikuriro Kuri Bose, RBF Malaria, RBF Enabel, ECD, Hepatitis B Birth Dose and Faith Initiative), as well as a short training on data protection.

After reviewing the implementation of the Caritas Rwanda 2020-2024 strategic plan/health, which has been well implemented, the participants reflected on the points that will be the basis of a new Caritas Rwanda 2025-2030 strategic plan.