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On March 24, 2025, young people belonging to the Imbaduko y’Iterambere – Murambi internal savings and loan (SILC) group, supported by the Gera Ku Ntego (GKN) project, built a house for the family of Eric Nteziryayo (married with two children) living in Murambi village, Ntanga cell, Mugesera sector, Ngoma district, Eastern Province.

The idea of ​​providing him with shelter was suggested by one of the members of the Imbaduko y’Iterambere – Murambi group. The other members welcomed the idea. Twelve of them participated in the construction work with the help of five other young people from the neighbourhood who are not part of the group. Eric’s house was recently destroyed by natural disasters caused by torrential rains. The roof blew off and the walls collapsed.

The house measures 4 meters by 5 meters and includes two bedrooms, a living room, and a hallway. It has twelve metal tiles. To build it, these young people purchased no materials other than bamboo and contributed to community work by digging the ground, drawing water, working the mud, placing bamboo on the felled trees, and pouring the mud on top. The total cost of the work was Rwf 78,000.

At the end of this activity, Florence Niyimenya, GKN’s field officer in Mugesera sector, thanked these young people and urged them to continue conducting such charitable activities and forming internal savings and credit groups to reduce the number of young people involved in drugs and other bad behaviors, considering that young people are the fastest-growing force in nation-building.

The Gera Ku Ntego (GKN) Youth Project is a CRS-initiated project aimed at strengthening a sustainable pathway to scaling youth-focused approaches that address needs, opportunities, and priorities in Rwanda. The project is implemented by 4 Caritas diocesans (Butare, Cyangugu, Byumba and Nyundo) in close collaboration and coordination with Caritas Rwanda, and it builds on existing relationships with key stakeholders capable of achieving large-scale results, including the Government, the private sector and the Church, to strengthen their collective action aimed at improving access to formal finance and entrepreneurship, the main obstacles to the creation and expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for young people in Rwanda.

In order to help them come out of poverty and become self-reliant, Caritas Rwanda, with the support from UNHCR, through its Graduation Project, supported 50 Sudanese refugees and other asylum seekers from Mahama refugee camp by providing them with various trainings, including SILC methodology, and the project provided them with Rwf 800,000 each, to help them implement their small income-generating projects.

After the training, they formed two SILC groups. Each SILC group is typically structured with around 25 female participants in one group and 25 male participants in another. They meet regularly to contribute to a shared savings pool, which members can borrow from to support their personal or business financial needs.

By the end of March 2025 (4 months after they began saving in their SILC groups), they have saved Rwf 1,448,350 and learnt how to use internal loans. At the moment, Rwf 1,092,200 is the total amount of internal loans.

Testimony from one of the SILC members

Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) play a vital role in fostering economic empowerment and self-sufficiency among refugees and asylum seekers. These groups serve as a gateway to financial inclusion, allowing individuals to save, access small loans, and strengthen their financial resilience.

Ibrahim Altayib Namriyn is member of the Entrepreneur Passages SILC Group, a savings and internal lending community group made up of Sudanese and other minority refugees. This group has played a crucial role in his business expansion. As he says, “Being part of this SILC group is very important for me. Instead of borrowing money from friends, I got a loan of Rwf 60,000 to purchase pesticides. I repaid it with a small interest. Now, I plan to take a larger loan to expand my project”.

In fact, after benefiting from the training on Entrepreneurship and Modern Agriculture and receiving a cash grant of Rwf 800,000 from the Graduation Project; Ibrahim invested in growing vegetables. Since he has installed the irrigation systems in a plot of land he rents Rwf 250,000 per year, he can earn income even during the dry season. He anticipates earning at least Rwf 3,400,000 from his first harvest of cabbage and okra.

 

UBUMWE SILC group testimony

Following a training on SILC methodology facilitated by the ECD Project funded by Plan International Rwanda and implemented by Caritas Rwanda in the Gatsibo, Nyaruguru and Bugesera districts, 30 parents of children enrolled in the Tuganire home-based ECD formed a SILC group (Ubumwe) and invested in poultry farming to feed their children with nutritious meals and develop economically.

In the beginning, the Ubumwe SILC group from Gatsibo District used to save Rwf 200 per week with a goal of purchasing hens for every parent. Before distributing the hens, they distributed goats (two parents shared one goat) after the first saving year.

After discovering that goats were not profitable, they switched to raising chickens. This poultry farming opened the business door to group members, as you can discover in the following video :

 

 

On 24th and 25th March 2025, at the Centre Saint Vincent Pallotti Gikondo, Caritas Rwanda held its 28th General Assembly to assess the implementation of its 27th General Assembly recommendations (2024), to present the 2024 activity report and the 2025-2030 strategic plan, and to formulate the recommendations for 2025.

In his opening remarks, Bishop Anaclet Mwumvaneza, President of Caritas Rwanda and Bishop of the Nyundo Diocese, emphasised the need for combined efforts, especially in these times when humanitarian interventions are declining daily due to cuts and reductions in external funding. “We must therefore combine our efforts more than ever to increase our capacity to support the poor, showing them more of our charity,” he said. Bishop Anaclet added that charity without prayer risks becoming a philanthropy that quickly runs out of steam, as Pope Francis recalled during the celebration of the 8th World Day of the Poor on November 17, 2024.

The President of Caritas Rwanda took this opportunity to thank all Caritas across the country for celebrating this day (World Day of the Poor) in an impressive way and in communion and sharing with the poor in hospitals, Approved Catholic Health Facilities (FOSA), parishes, and all grassroots ecclesial communities.

Addressing the participants, Father Thomasz Gdula, the Secretary of the Nunciature, emphasized that throughout its history, Caritas has responded to major global crises while supporting structural changes to address the root causes of poverty. He thanked the national and international organisations, as well as the individuals of goodwill, who join forces with Caritas to help those most in need.

At the 28th General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda, the 2024 activity report, presented through four Caritas Rwanda’s departments (the Administration and Finance Department, the Social Welfare Department, Health Department and the Development Department), showed that all the activities had been successfully implemented.

During this General Assembly, it was announced that the total fundraising for the 2024 Charity Month is Rwf 165.534.676. The Diocesan Caritas of Ruhengeri came in first place with Rwf 35,197,623 of contributions, followed by the Diocesan Caritas of Cyangugu, which raised Rwf 21,313,555.

Recommendations for 2025

Among the recommendations of the 28th General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda are strengthening synergy between the various commissions of the C.E.R., collaboration and synergy between Caritas Rwanda and all Episcopal Commissions and services working in Integral Human Development, as well as strengthening resource mobilization strategies and exploring new innovative actions to increase equity towards the organization’s sustainability.

There is also the operationalization of prison chaplaincy at all levels, the inculcation of an audit culture at Caritas levels and Approved Health Facilities (FOSA), the diversification of strategies to increase the Month of Charity Month fundraisings, the ensuring that each FOSA has a chapel to facilitate the spiritual care of the sick and their families, as well as the strengthening of the awareness of Caritas spirit in its areas of intervention (Social Welfare, Health, and Development).

The 28^th General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda was also an opportunity to welcome the President of Missio Invest, Father Andrew Small, who gave a brief presentation on the various funding opportunities offered by this organization for entrepreneurial development initiatives led by the Catholic Church with a view to financial autonomy.

It is also worth noting the appointment of Father Jérémie Shyaka, Director of the Diocesan Caritas of Kibungo, to the Board of Directors of Caritas Rwanda, replacing Father Félicien Mujyambere.

During a community awareness event on positive parenting, which focused on the role of fathers in nurturing their children’s growth and development, organized by the ECD Project in Bugesera District on March 21, 2025, the Kamabuye Sector Father Role Models won the match with a score of four penalties against three of the Ngeruka Sector team.

After the game, local authorities delivered speeches emphasising the crucial role fathers play in their children’s development. Kadafi Aimable, the Executive Secretary of Ngeruka Sector, expressed gratitude to parents who have enrolled their children in home-based ECD programs. He urged those who have not yet done so to consider enrolling their children to ensure they benefit from the advantages of home-based ECDs. Aimable also extended his appreciation to Caritas Rwanda and Plan International Rwanda for their support of home-based ECD programs in Bugesera District.

Following the game, local leaders led discussions on the importance of fathers in their children’s’ growth. Bamurange Appollinarie, the Gender and Family Promotion Officer in Bugesera District, emphasized the importance of proper child-rearing. She advised parents to avoid punishing their children out of anger, and instead focus on encouraging and boosting their self-confidence. Building and maintaining a strong friendship with their children, actively listening to them, clearly communicating expectations, offering praise for achievements, and setting a positive example were all highlighted as key components of effective parenting.

After the local leaders’ speeches, a lively Questions-and-Answers session centered on early childhood development took place. The winners of the session were rewarded with jerseys, while trophies were presented to both teams involved.

From March 10-21, 2025, Caritas Rwanda, in partnership with the RBC Malaria Division and Nyamasheke District Task Force Team, carried out an intensive 2-week Malaria investigation in the hotspot sectors of Macuba, Kirimbi, and Kagano.

This activity aimed to identify areas with the highest malaria burden and implement targeted actions to reduce malaria incidence. During this period, Caritas Rwanda conducted door-to-door household visits in communities most affected by malaria, providing valuable education on prevention and control measures.

In addition, community mobilization meetings known as Inteko z’abaturage were organized to engage local leaders and citizens, increasing awareness and strengthening the community’s role in combating malaria. The collaboration focused on ensuring sustainable and effective malaria prevention practices within the affected villages.

As part of its ECD project, funded by Plan Rwanda International, Caritas Rwanda organized a friendly football match between Rusenge Father Role Models and Gikunzi Father Role Models in Nyaruguru District. The Rusenge team scored 5 penalties against the Gikunzi team’s 4. This match was organized on March 18, 2025, to raise awareness among the parents on positive parenting focusing on the importance of fathers’ crucial role in the growth and development of their children.

After the game, local leaders and project staff delivered messages and posed questions to underscore the crucial role fathers play in the growth and development of their children. The winning participants received t-shirts as a token of appreciation.

During this match, both teams scored the same one to one, which led to a penalty shootout. After the match, Nsabumuremyi Janvier, the Early Childhood Development (ECD) coordinator in Nyaruguru District, recalled the six pillars of ECD, namely: (i) adequate nutrition, (ii) health, (iii) water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), (iv)child protection and inclusiveness, (v) readiness/ opportunities for early learning, and (vi) parenting education.

Mr. Nsanzumuremyi took this opportunity to call on fathers to play a role as well as mothers in ensuring the implementation of these six pillars. He thanked Caritas Rwanda and Plan International Rwanda as donors involved in ECD activities in Nyaruguru District, including maintaining ECD centers and homes, providing various necessary equipment, training caregivers, and assisting parents in providing food for their children in HBECD and centers.

After the match, there was also a question-and-answer session on the crucial role fathers play in the growth and development of their children, and the winners received t-shirts as a token of appreciation. In addition, trophies were awarded to both teams, since the primary objective was to raise awareness about positive parenting, not to compete.

A similar event was also held in Gatsibo District on 14^th March 2025, and is scheduled to take place in Bugesera District on 21^st March 2025, the two districts where the ECD project is being implemented in addition to Nyaruguru District.

As a creative way to engage the community and spread awareness on Positive Parenting, Caritas Rwanda in partnership with Gatsibo District, through the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Project funded by Plan International Rwanda, organized a football match between Murambi and Kiziguro Father Role Models. This event was held at Groupe Scholaire Rwimitereri, Murambi Sector in Gatsibo District on March 14, 2025.

The specific goals of this awareness campaign were to:

– Promote parental involvement, with a particular emphasis on fathers, in nurturing care tasks, gender transformative emphasizing the significance of shared responsibilities within the family unit;

– Use football as a means of fostering positive interactions between parents and their children;

– Establish a forum for fathers to gain experiences from father role models, enhancing parenting skills;

– Educate communities on the transformative impact of positive parenting practices in cultivating responsible children and how such practices can mitigate issues such as school dropouts, domestic violence and behaviour problems in the future.

In this community awareness promoting Positive Parenting, the Murambi Father Role Models team emerged victorious with a score of 5 against 0 of the Kiziguro team. The two teams received trophy cups each.

During the half-time, local leaders and project staff delivered messages highlighting the crucial role fathers play in the growth and development of their children. Following the messages, a question-and-answer session took place, and t-shirts were awarded to the winning participants.

Addressing participants, Naomy Mukagasana, the Gatsibo District employee in charge of Gender and Family Promotion, urged parents (both fathers and mothers) to take care of their children by giving them love, raising them in a proper manner and setting boundaries for what is and is not allowed, building their self-confidence, protecting them from the harm of technology and being loving parents to be a role model for them.

This awareness campaign will also be carried out in Nyaruguru on 18^th March 2025 and in Bugesera on 21^st March 2025.

Caritas Rwanda Family, gathering 10 diocesan Caritas and National level joined in a two-day reporting workshop on January 23-24, 2025, at Centre d’Accueil Bonne Esperance Kicukiro, in a preparation of the forthcoming General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda scheduled March 25-26, 2025. The workshop was characterized by the commitment and active participation of all members of the network as testified by Head of Administration and Finance department, Head of Health Department, Social Welfare and Development Departments’ Representatives in their feedback remarks.

Closing the session, Father Oscar KAGIMBURA, Secretary General of Caritas Rwanda expressed his gratitude to all participants. “Getting well prepared will allow shortening the Geneal Assembly from two days to one in the future”, he said. The departments were reminded to keep joining hands in mobilizing more resources, maintaining existing and new partners satisfied through clear and transparent communication, creating more and more trust.

The new Caritas Rwanda Strategic Plan 2025-2030 will allow us to continue supporting those in need to improve their lives. Father Oscar stressed the importance of being always ready to intervene in case of emergencies and reminded participants of the pending approval of the “Preparedness Plan” inviting concerned persons to work on it as quick as possible. “This is the work of all Caritas departments as emergencies affect all your plans”, said the Secretary General. Participants were reminded of supporting Rwandans to achieve their integral development through informing them of existing opportunities, supporting them to access services they offer among others. Departments were mandated to synergize with other Episcopal Conference Commissions and Services, development should explore ways to support Catholic Church decentralized resources to significantly contribute to the increase of agricultural and animal production towards food security and access to food, leveraging existing warehouses and other postharvest processing infrastructures.

On 9^th January 2024, Caritas Rwanda in collaboration with the Burera District officially inaugurated the Rwabageni Nurturing Care Hub, constructed with funds from the Dennis and Jane Reese Foundation, in Kiringa Cell, Kagogo Sector, Burera District in the Western Province of Rwanda. This NCH will help 80 children access early childhood education at village level.

Apart from fostering early childhood education, the Rwabageni NCH will serve as one stop site for community nutrition interventions supported by USAID Gikuriro Kuri Bose program to fight against stunting among young children.

During the Rwabageni NCH inauguration, the guests visited two classrooms of Children aged (3-4 years) and (5-6 years) and observed how the community with the USAID Gikuriro Kuri Bose support is improving Early learning, Positive parenting education, Child Play and stimulation, and disability inclusion.

Father Oscar Kagimbura, the Secretary General of Caritas Rwanda expressed their gratitude to the Dennis and Jane Reese Foundation for funding the Rwabageni NCH initiative and urged parents to take ownership of the NCH to ensure its sustainability.

As for Mrs. Mukamana Soline, Mayor of Burera District, the Rwabageni NCH initiative falls within the national Early Childhood Development (ECD) strategy, which attempts to promote children’s development from conception to age six. “As local leaders, we prefer sustainable initiatives rather than those that end with projects,” said Mayor Mukamana Soline.

Aron James, representing the Dennis and Jane Reese Foundation in the ceremony, thanked local authorities for their cooperation and expressed his delight in seeing parents actively participating in NCH activities. He also pledged continued collaboration to support the initiative.

This event was also a good opportunity to raise awareness on fighting against the stunting among young children. In her speech, Dr. Umurungi Serubibi Yvonne, Chief of Party for the USAID Gikuriro Kuri Bose Program, reminded the participating mothers that they must conducted 8 ANC standard visits during pregnancy, breastfeed their children for 6 months without any supplements, and after 6 months, start giving them a balanced diet as instructed.

During the inauguration, the children were provided with nutritious meal.