Monthly Archives: September 2024

To enhance the self-reliance and livelihoods of 50 Sudanese Refugee/Asylum seekers households and other minority nationalities in Mahama Refugee camp, starting from this September 2024, a four-month project is being implemented by Caritas Rwanda, with funds from MasterCard Foundation through the UNHCR Rwanda.

The project will specifically target 46 Sudanese households, as well as one household each from Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Chad. The activities will be conducted following the 4 pillars of the Graduation Approach namely Social empowerment, Social protection, Financial inclusion and Livelihood promotion.

On 9^th September 2024, in Kirehe District, 8 Caritas Rwanda staff members who will work on this project participated in the orientation meeting to equip them with the full information needed for the project implementation. The following day, Caritas Rwanda organized a meeting with key stakeholders including participant representatives, camp partners and the camp management team.

During the meeting, discussions centred around the presentation of project activities and the criteria for identification. All partners and participants’ representatives expressed their commitment to collaborating for the successful implementation of the project. The representatives of various minority nationalities proposed increasing the number of participants in the project. In response, the Caritas Rwanda staff explained that the project was initially designed to support Sudanese refugees due to their significant population. However, they also considered including other minority groups in the hopes that their participation would grow over time, as this project serves as a pilot initiative.

On September 11th and 12th, 2024, the Caritas Rwanda team, along with representatives of Sudanese refugees, asylum seekers, and other minority nationalities, conducted an identification process based on the agreed-upon criteria.

After the selection, the participants will benefit from various training including Saving Internal and Lending Community (SILC) methodology, financial literacy, Income Generating Activity (IGA), entrepreneurship, and business plan development. After they will create SILC groups and receive the cash grant of Frw 800,000 each to implement their IGA following their business plans.

As part of the collaboration meetings that Caritas Rwanda organizes with the diocesan Caritas to evaluate the implementation of the Caritas Rwanda 2023 General Assembly recommendations, on 6th September 2024, a team from Caritas Rwanda met with the Caritas Gikongoro heads of the departments and exchanged on the different activities carried out by Caritas Gikongoro.

At the beginning of the meeting, the heads of the departments of Caritas Gikongoro presented its different activities. In Social Welfare, there is awareness on Caritas Spirit, assistance for school fees to vulnerable children, assistance to sick for their transport to the hospital, assistance to children with disability, the economic development for vulnerable families, assistance to vulnerable elderly people by providing them with food, clothing and paying their contribution to the community-based health insurance.

In the Caritas Gikongoro area, parishes initiated the census of prisoners and funds are regularly collected to visit them, by two people representing others in the parish. Bishop Célestin Hakizimana of the Gikongoro Diocese, has requested that this activity be spread throughout the whole Diocese. The prisoners of the Nyamagabe prison also benefit from a Holy Mass every week and receive donations of food on Christmas.

To overcome the problem of limited means which is a challenge for assisting more vulnerable people, Caritas Gikongoro has launched a program called “Menya Mugenzi Wawe” (Help your neighbor), where people formerly assisted by Caritas are mobilized to give a small regular contribution intend be used in reaching a large number of vulnerable people.

In Health Department, Caritas Gikongoro manages 11 health centers, where the poorest people are assisted in paying for medical care, while the others are assisted for the contribution of the community-based health insurance. There is also nutritional support, awareness raising and the provision of family planning services by natural methods (PFN).

For the Department of Development, there are various agricultural projects which aim at promoting small farmers. A project aiming at providing seeds and fertilizers, and growing local trees which go together with the different crops without harming them is being carried out. In this department, there is also a project that distributes livestock to obtain manure, and economical cookers as well as creating committees capable of producing and distributing them.

For the Department of Administration and Finance, Caritas Gikongoro plans to create its own income-generating activities for its self-financing.

Regarding the visibility of Caritas, during the meeting, the heads of the departments of Caritas Gikongoro received a short training on the right way to write an article, which will help them developping articles to be published in Caritas Contact and Kinyamateka.

On the point related to the celebration of Caritas Day and the World Day of the Poor, not all of the 19 parishes celebrated them in past years, but for this year all of them will do it because this year’s Caritas Gikongoro General Assembly recommended it.

Awareness raising on the Charity Month

In order to increase the productivity of the Charity month aimed at helping the vulnerable, Caritas Gikongoro staff members have been doing the awareness campaign in the 19 parishes. In addition, the Caritas committee members conduct the door-to-door awareness raising in the basic ecclesial communities, calling on everyone to contribute for the Charity. The message signed by Bishop Anaclet, the president of Caritas Rwanda regarding the Charity month is also read in every celebration of Mass, as well as the campaign is conducted in schools.

At the end of the meeting, Caritas Gikongoro staff expressed their gratitude for such meetings organized by Caritas Rwanda in the diocesan Caritas, because the exchange will enable them to improve their work.

After the meeting, the Caritas Rwanda and Caritas Gikongoro team visited the Centre Saint François d’Assise Kitabi, which assists children with disability, under the management of the Penitent Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi.

To evaluate the implementation of Caritas Rwanda General Assembly 2023 recommendations and exchange ideas, a team from Caritas Cyangugu (Coordinators of Departments) and Caritas Rwanda met on 5^th September 2024, at the Caritas Cyangugu Offices.

Intending to increase the Charity Month contribution, Caritas Cyangugu met and collaborated with the priests to encourage them to raise awareness about this month. Caritas Cyangugu also produced flyers about Charity Month and called on everyone to contribute, distributed in workplaces, financial institutions, business houses, and other places. Each flyer was accompanied by a contribution request letter.

During this meeting, Caritas Cyangugu Coordinators of Departments were able to present the different activities of Caritas Cyangugu, including paying school fees for vulnerable children, caring for people with disability, assisting poor families, empowering the poor, self-reliance promotion-related projects, youth projects, and monitoring Early Childhood Development home based and centers.

In project implementation, Caritas Cyangugu encourages project participants to help other vulnerable people. Specifically, young people are actively engaged in charitable and volunteer activities. One notable initiative is the annual youth forum, where participants pool funds saved from transportation costs to purchase sheet metal and construct homes for impoverished families. Additionally, young volunteers partake in activities such as visiting the sick. These efforts exemplify Caritas Cyangugu’s commitment to empowering youth and fostering a culture of compassion and service within the community.

To promote the visibility of Caritas, during the meeting, Caritas Cyangugu staff members received a short training on how to write a good article. The knowledge gained will enable all departments of Caritas Cyangugu to produce high-quality articles for publication in Caritas Contact 2024.

In honour of Caritas Day and World Day of the Poor every year, Caritas Cyangugu hosts Caritas Week. This event encourages young individuals to participate in volunteer activities and aims to rejuvenate Caritas committees. The last day of Caritas Week is World Day of the Poor and Caritas Day. Those who have contributed to the organisation of Caritas Week are recognised and the poor receive assistance to help them out of poverty.

After the meeting, the joint team (Caritas Rwanda and Caritas Cyangugu) visited the Centre Saint François d’Assise de Rusizi, which assists children with disability, under the management of the Penitent Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The 21^st National Catholic Youth Forum was held at the Diocese of Ruhengeri from 21^st to 25^th August 2024, bringing together approximately 5,000 youth from across Rwanda and participants from DRC Congo. The theme of this year’s forum, “Rejoicing in Hope,” was a lively celebration of faith, learning, and community that united the vitality and aspirations of Rwanda’s youth under the guidance of the Catholic Church. This year, the forum had an added significance as it coincided with the celebration of a dual jubilee.

The National Youth Forum 2024 provided a holistic platform for spiritual growth, doctrinal education, and youth empowerment. It offered a unique opportunity for youth to deepen their faith through daily Masses, prayer sessions, and reflections designed to bring them closer to Jesus Christ. These spiritual practices were at the heart of the forum, ensuring that youth not only strengthened their relationship with God but also fortified their moral and ethical foundations.

Educating for a Purposeful Life, Building Bonds and Creating Networks

Education on Catholic doctrine and moral teachings was a key component of the forum. Through workshops, seminars, and panel discussions, youth were equipped with the knowledge needed to navigate the moral complexities of modern life. These sessions emphasized the importance of living according to Catholic values, fostering a generation that is not only spiritually grounded but also morally responsible.

Beyond spiritual and doctrinal education, the forum served as a powerful socializing and networking event. Youth from different dioceses had the chance to interact, exchange ideas, and build lasting connections. These interactions fostered a sense of unity and belonging within the Church community, reinforcing the idea that the Church is a supportive and nurturing family for all its members.

Youth Empowerment Through Action

A significant highlight of the forum was its focus on youth empowerment. Caritas Rwanda played a pivotal role in facilitating discussions on youth empowerment. Through its Youth Program, Caritas Rwanda organized a mini-exhibition where participants from the Gera ku Ntego and Youth for Youth projects showcased their income-generating activities. These projects are shining examples of how youth can harness available opportunities to create sustainable livelihoods. The exhibition not only inspired fellow participants but also provided practical insights into starting and managing income-generating activities, encouraging the youth to take bold steps toward economic self-reliance.

A Forum for the Future

The forum also featured various activities that resonated with the diverse interests of the participants. From cultural exchanges and sports events to exhibitions and panel discussions, the forum was a dynamic blend of learning, fun, and inspiration. The exhibitions, in particular, were a testament to the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Rwanda’s youth, showcasing initiatives that are making a tangible difference in communities.

During the closing ceremony, attended by Catholic bishops, the Ministry of Youth and Arts, the Governor of the Northern Province, and other dignitaries; Bishop Papias MUSENGAMANA of Byumba Diocese and CEPJ president, expressed gratitude to CRS and Caritas Rwanda for supporting this youth Forum and their ongoing support in youth program. The Minister of Youth and Arts, as Guest of Honor in his remarks also appreciated CRS and Caritas Rwanda as a key partner in youth empowerment efforts.

The 21^st National Catholic Youth Forum was more than just an event; it was a transformative experience for all who attended. By combining spiritual growth with practical empowerment, the forum laid a strong foundation for the future of Rwanda’s catholic youth.

NDAMUKUNDA Olivier

Youth Program Coordinator

Caritas Rwanda