Monthly Archives: June 2025

Caritas Rwanda, in collaboration with the districts of Nyanza, Huye, and Gisagara, successfully organized an inclusive HIV awareness campaign titled “Play, Learn, Act for a Healthier Future”. This in-school tournament, held from June 21 to 25, 2025, targeted adolescents and young people, especially Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), through an engaging mix of sports, education, and real-life testimonies.

The event brought together six secondary schools across the three districts for a football competition with a powerful purpose: raising awareness about HIV testing, preventing unintended pregnancies, and fighting stigma associated with HIV. The participating schools included GS Mugombwa and ES Save from Gisagara, ES Regina Pacis and GS Butare Catholique from Huye, and ES Nyanza and Nyanza TSS from Nyanza.

Each district hosted an initial match between two schools selected due to observed student behavior concerns. The goal was to use friendly competition as a platform for positive behavioral change. These matches produced three district-level champions: Nyanza TSS (Nyanza), GS Mugombwa (Gisagara), and ES Regina Pacis (Huye), who then advanced to inter-district competitions.

Tournament highlights

The semi-finals and finals were held at Karubanda and Kamena stadiums in Huye District. Due to limited time, a random draw was conducted to determine which of the three district champions would automatically advance to the final. ES Regina Pacis won the draw, while GS Mugombwa and Nyanza TSS battled in a semi-final match, with GS Mugombwa emerging victorious.

The final, held on June 25 at Kamena Stadium, chosen for its proximity to schools to maximize participation, saw ES Regina Pacis defeat GS Mugombwa to claim the championship trophy. The victory was not only athletic but symbolic of the success of youth engagement in health education through innovative means.

Beyond the game: Lasting impact

What set this initiative apart was its strategic combination of sports and education. Youth were not only entertained but also educated through integrated messages about early HIV diagnosis, responsible behavior, and support for people living with HIV. The tournament created a safe and dynamic space for peer learning, encouraged life skills development, and promoted healthy decision-making among adolescents.

Over 2,800 in-school adolescents and young people were reached through the campaign. School leaders and local authorities lauded the initiative, emphasizing its effectiveness in mobilizing communities and recommended the inclusion of girls in future tournaments to further amplify the program’s impact.

This event stands as a testament to the potential of sports as a tool for social change, proving that when youth are engaged through platforms, they are passionate about, critical messages can be delivered with lasting effect.

Through Tubeho Neza Aheza project, funded by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia together with Caritas Slovenia, and under the Caritas Rwanda supervision, Caritas Nyundo-Kibuye distributed 4 water tanks in 4 schools of Karongi District, namely: GS Bigugu located in Rwankuba sector, ES Mukungu in Mutuntu sector, GS Gahengeri in Rugabano sector and TSS Birambo  located in Gashari sector.

This support aimed to help the four schools to collect and store water during rain seasons, to improve their hygiene and sanitation, and contribute to environment protection.

The project also constructed a water supply system called Rutoyi-Manji extension from source point to GS Manji, where 1,800 students accessed to clean water as well as people from Manji thanks to a water kiosk established in the centre.

On 24^th June 2025 Caritas Nyundo-Kibuye arranged a provisional handover of this water supply system to Karongi District and private company in charge of water maintenance.

How clean water transformed our school life

Students from GS Manji in Karongi District shared how their daily lives and education have been positively impacted by accessing to clean water. “Before, fetching water meant walking long distances, up to 30 minutes one way. Students, especially girls, struggled to maintain hygiene, often arrived late to class, and faced daily challenges due to the lack of water”, said Athanase Sibonama, a student from Groupe Scolaire Manji.

To watch the full testimony, click on the following video:

 

 

As part of its initiative to call everyone to assist vulnerable people, on 26^th June 2025, a Caritas Rwanda team met with students and management of the Ruli Higher Institute of Health to raise awareness on Caritas Spirit.

In his opening remarks, Eric Karera, Vice-Chancellor of the Ruli Higher Institute of Health, welcomed the Caritas Rwanda team and encouraged the students to follow the presentation, especially since their motto, “All in the love of Christ” (In caritate Christi), is part of it.

In her presentation, Sister Gaudiose Nyiraneza, in charge of Animation and Social Activities within the Department of Social Welfare at Caritas Rwanda, outlined the three specific objectives of Caritas Rwanda’s current Strategic Plan (2025-2030) for the Department of Social Welfare, namely:

(i) Raising awareness on Caritas identity and mission;

(ii) Improve the livelihood of vulnerable people;

(iii) Reduce the impact of humanitarian crises on affected populations.

Sister Gaudiose also introduced participants to the Month of Charity, when Christians and other people of good will contribute to supporting vulnerable people. The students indicated that they were unaware of this Month and they received detailed explanations, as well as details on how the dioceses raised funds for 2024. Both leaders and students expressed their joy for this Month, which was established by the bishops to support the Catholic Church charitable activities in Rwanda.

Furthermore, Sister Gaudiose presented the achievements of Caritas Rwanda in caring for vulnerable people over the past five years (2020-2024), urging the students to develop an action plan to help vulnerable people to help them evaluate the achievements.

Eric Karera, Vice-Chancellor of the Ruli Higher Institute of Health, said this was a good example to follow.

Charity activities at the Ruli Higher Institute of Health

As these students explained, with the support of the Ruli Higher Institute of Health administration, they regularly conduct charitable activities, including visiting patients, providing them with the supplies they need, and helping their colleagues as well as the surrounding community through their association, “Humura Turi Kumwe.”

Anitha Niyogisubizo, a student representing the first-year students  (September 2024 cohort), explained that they fast on Friday evenings and use this meal to visit patients at Ruli Hospital, assist those who need supplies or for treatment costs, and collect donations when needed. Although not all students are members of the Humura Turi Kumwe association, Anitha explains that they make contributions: “We have a WhatsApp group. When we organize an event, we inform each other, the members inform other students, and they contribute,” adds Anitha.

Jean Pierre Nkurikiyumugisha, professor and head of the General Nursing Division at this institute, explains that charitable activities are not limited to people outside the campus. Through Humura Turi Kumwe, students, teachers, and management help vulnerable students. As an example, he cites: “A student was sick and the operation was expected to cost more than one million Rwandan francs. We raised the funds and he was treated. He continued his studies and is doing well today.”

As for the Vice-Chancellor of the Ruli Higher Institute of Health, Eric Karera, the institute’s management, faithful to the motto “All in the love of Christ,” encourages students to raise community awareness about good hygiene and preparing a balanced diet, since these are also charity acts. “And when they find someone in need, they prepare a vegetable garden for them and prepare a table to lay out the dishes if they don’t have one,” he mentioned. These activities are carried out in collaboration with local authorities. Eric Karera adds that helping doesn’t requires to be rich, but rather to learn how to do it and be informed about how to do it.

In October 2023, Caritas Rwanda organized a similar campaign at the Ruli Higher Institute of Health. During the June 26, 2025 campaign, the management requested that it be held on annual basis if possible, as students often move to new locations due to internships. This way, a student who missed the opportunity one year could benefit from it next year.

In a continued effort to reduce the spread of HIV and address violence (GBV) among Rwanda’s most vulnerable youth, Caritas Rwanda, through the Igire-Gimbuka Programme, organised a one-day awareness campaign at the Iwawa Rehabilitation Center located in Rutsiro District on 18th June 2025. This initiative was conducted in partnership with Rutsiro District and Nyundo Diocese.

The campaign aimed to educate young people in Iwawa about HIV and GBV prevention and encourage them to undergo voluntary HIV testing and adhere to treatment if they test positive.

The campaign started with a holy mass where 41 young people were baptized, 5 received their first Eucharist, and other 31 received confirmation.

Messages of the day

Various speakers during this campaign delivered messages of hope, encouraging the youth to behave well even when they will leave the rehabilitation center and to voluntarily test for HIV and immediately adhere to treatment if they test positive.

Father Eugene Niyonzima, leader of the Pallottine Congregation in the Great Lakes Region and Belgium, and representative of COSUMAR (Conférence des Supérieurs Majeurs au Rwanda), comforted the youth in Wawa, reminding them that although people pass through hard situations that generate emotional wounds in their lives, or do bad things that make other people call them bad names, God writes the right things on crooked lines, with a pen called “mercy”. He added that as long as they have a repenting heart, God is ready to forgive and change them in a positive way.

The Coordinator of Iwawa Rehabilitation Center, Dr Jean Damascène Nshimiyimana, thanked the guests for visiting the youth living in Iwawa, bringing them spiritual food and various gifts that will help them live a better life. “I believe that medicine works when mixed together. Religion and evangelism play a major role in correction. We thank you for leaving the 99 sheep and coming to look for the lost one”, he added.

Commenting on the slogan often used at Iwawa “Saul became Paul”, Bishop Anaclet Mwumvaneza, President of Caritas Rwanda and Bishop of Nyundo Diocese, exhorted the youth to avoid behaving like Saul, who used to persecute God’s people, and become like Paul, who became an apostle.

Messages that were posted around the event urged the youth to undergo voluntary HIV testing so that they can know their status and adhere to treatment if they test positive.

During this campaign, Caritas Rwanda, through the Igire-Gimbuka Program, donated soccer equipment to two teams; Congo Nil Parish donated basketballs; and COSUMAR donated clothes and shoes (for the vulnerable youth in Iwawa), Bibles, various books and rosaries (for those who received the sacraments).

Igire-Gimbuka, is a 5-year program (2022-2027) implemented in the districts of Karongi, Nyamasheke, Rubavu and Rutsiro, thanks to funding from the American Government.

To help them cope with stress, from 12^th June 2025, Caritas Rwanda organized a 2-day wellness retreat for Headquarter team at Cenetra Hotel. This program featured self-awareness and peer reflections, group works and relaxation exercises among others, fostering well-being, connection and inner growth.

In his opening remarks, Father Oscar Kagimbura, the Secretary General of Caritas Rwanda, emphasized the importance of holistic health, stating, “A healthy soul dwells in a healthy body, which is precisely why Caritas Rwanda organized this retreat.” He encouraged all participants to engage fully in the activities and to embrace the positive impact of the retreat on their mental health and overall well-being.

Dr. Uwihoreye Chaste, who facilitated the sessions, described mental health as comprising four stages of coping with stress: (i) striving, (ii) managing, (iii) struggling and (iv) crisis. According to Dr. Chaste, the last two stages require professional mental health support, but he reassured participants that with proper care, recovery is often possible (noting that only about 3% of mental health disorders are untreatable).

The retreat didn’t only provide theories; it also emphasized on self-reflection techniques, peer reflexions, group activities and relaxant exercises.

Coping with stress is possible

Coping with stress is possible

After engaging in various exercises (self-reflection, partner share sessions and group activities), Dr. Chaste urged every retreat attendee to practice self-reflection at least twice a day, since it promotes good mental health. He also advised seeking help from a mental health professional before reaching the point of struggling or being in crisis.

While the team members were participating in relaxant activities, their joy was evident. The games focused on facing stress by making quick decisions, while others focused on teamwork or simply playing or dancing. The key lesson was that stress itself isn’t always harmful, the real problem comes when it takes a long time to be handled. To watch the video about relaxing exercises during the wellness retreat, click here.

To manage stress, whether work-related or family-related, it’s important to adopt the following six habits:

• Get eight hours of sleep every day;
• Stay physically active (through exercise or work);
• Be social (belong to a group, family);
• Practice self-reflection;
• Relaxing;
• Plan tasks within your capacity.

The retreat’s teaching methods also relayed on Kinyarwanda proverbs to help participants share and cope with stress without being overwhelmed. Examples included:

• Iyo utazi aho uva, ntumenya iyo ujya (If you don’t know where you’re come from, you don’t know where you’re going);
• Iyo utazi aho ujya, aho ugeze hose ugira ngo ni ho wajyaga (If you don’t know your destination, every place will look like your intended one);
• Agahinda gasangiwe, karatuba (Shared sorrow is lessened, decreases);
• Agahinda kadasangiwe karatumba (Unshared sorrow weighs heavy);
• Ahakomeye ni ho hava amakoma (White sorghum growths in hard soil);
• Agati gatwawe n’isuri, kajyana iteka n’agataka (A plant carried away by erosion, is always accompanied by a piece of soil);
• Iyo uciye ahakomeye, iyo hatagukomerekeje haragukomeza (What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger).

With aim of sharing its mission of assisting vulnerable people and promoting their integral human development, on 28^th May 2025, a team from Caritas Rwanda met with the major seminarians and leaders of the Saint Charles Borromée Nyakibanda Major Seminary.

In her presentation, Sister Gaudiose Nyiraneza, in charge of Animation and Social Actions within Caritas Rwanda’s Social Welfare Department gave an overview of Caritas Rwanda and its efforts to restore human dignity through its three departments: Social Welfare, Health, and Development.

Sister Gaudiose also urged them to get more involved by mentioning the Charity Month (August), when Christians and other good-willed people contribute to support the most vulnerable. She also mentioned the World Day of the Poor, where Caritas directors and other people share meals with the poor, reflecting Pope Francis’s desire when establishing this day: to restore the dignity of the poor.

It was a dynamic session, with post-presentation discussions focusing on helping the most vulnerable build resilience and the challenges associated with reduced external funding.

In his speech, Father Michel Nsengumuremyi, the spiritual leader at the Nyakibanda Major Seminary, praised Caritas Rwanda for organizing such an awareness at the Nyakibanda Major Seminary, to encourage the major seminarians to continue on the right path of assisting the most vulnerable.

The major seminarians of Nyakibanda are already involved in charitable activities

In collaboration with local authorities, the major seminarians carry out charitable works, as explained by Mpayimana Fabien, a brother (fratri) from the Gikongoro Diocese and coordinator of the Catholic Action activities at the Nyakibanda Major Seminary. As he said, they build shelters for vulnerable families through apostolic activities they conduct every Monday afternoon, raise funds to provide school materials to children from poor families, and collect donations to help people in prison.

According to Fabien Mpayimana, a brother (fratri) from the Gikongoro Diocese and coordinator of the Catholic Action activities at the Nyakibanda Major Seminary, the major seminarians collaborate with local authorities to perform charity works. As he stated, they collect money to provide vulnerable children with school materials, gather donations to assist those incarcerated, and construct shelters for families in need through apostolic activities they have every Monday afternoon.

Indeed, the major seminarians participate in community works to build houses for the most deprived; however, as they explain, due to a lack of sufficient resources, they cannot carry out finishing works, such as laying paving. “Our resources are limited. When we are called upon, we help with our own hands, but we have difficulty finding the necessary resources to build the house to the finishing stage. If we had the means to do the finishing, it would be better to offer them a well-finished house,” said Jean Damascène Uwiringiyimana, deacon of the diocese of Nyundo.

While the major seminarians do take part in community works to construct houses for the poorest, they note that they are unable to complete finishing touches like paving due to a lack of resources. “We have limited resources. When called upon, we support with our own hands, yet we struggle to locate the resources needed to complete the house. It would be preferable to provide them with a well-finished home if we had the resources to complete it,” stated Jean Damascène Uwiringiyimana, deacon of the Nyundo diocese.

Thus, the major seminarians invite other corporate bodies and individuals to join their cause of supporting the most vulnerable, as Jesus calls everyone to do: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in; I needed clothes and you clothed me; I was sick and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:35-36).

Caritas Rwanda is currently conducting such campaigns in major and minor seminaries, as well as universities. Awareness-raising on embracing Caritas Spirit is also done through the Catholic Church media. Caritas Rwanda plans to expand these activities and raise awareness by calling everyone to help vulnerable people through various media, by visiting them at their workplaces and other places where many people gather.