On 24th September 2024, a delegation from Caritas Rwanda and Caritas Kibungo heads of departments convened at the Caritas Kibungo headquarters in Ngoma District with the goal of evaluating the implementation of the Caritas Rwanda General Assembly 2023 recommendations (for the Social Welfare department). In addition, the team exchanged ideas on fundraising strategies for the Charity Month, and visited the Home of Joy (located in Ngoma district) and the Urugo rw’Amahoro Kabarondo Center (Kayonza district).
The team’s conversations centered on promoting the visibility Caritas Rwanda’ visibility through Catholic Church media and on social media. A brief training on story development was also provided to the participants, as it will enable all departments to develop stories for publication in Kinyamateka and the Caritas Contact magazine.
This meeting was also an opportunity to recall the activities carried out to celebrate the World Day of the Poor including the celebration of a Holy Mass, meals sharing with the poor; and providing gifts and/or food to the poor. During the celebration of the Caritas Day, it is important to raise awareness on Caritas, its values, while people who have previously benefited from Caritas’ educational support are encouraged to assist those in need.
According to the Caritas Kibungo staff, all parishes celebrate the World Day of the Poor and Caritas Day, with the exception of the Rukoma Parish, where these days are observed at the central level. People from all religious denominations contribute for the World Day of the Poor celebration since Caritas supports vulnerable people without discrimination. The meeting recalled that material possessions are not as important to the vulnerable people as love. It is crucial to love them first.
Awareness raising for the Charity Month
In order to increase the contribution to the Month of Charity and Mercy, in May and June 2024, Caritas volunteers have been animating in all parishes. In addition, Caritas Kibungo plans to raise awareness of the Month of Charity and Mercy in schools soon.
Caritas volunteers have been mobilizing to contribute to the Charity Month in all parishes in May and June 2024. Furthermore, Caritas Kibungo intends to raise awareness about the Charity Month in schools.
Another strategy is to organize a group of individuals who have received educational support from Caritas so they can help those in need as well. They can still contribute to the Charity Month for years to come, even though it is a little late to donate this year. Every year in May and June, parishes kick off Charity Month fundraising, as stated by the Caritas Kibungo team. Perishable items are immediately distributed while those that can be stocked are distributed during the celebration of the World Day of the Poor in November.
In addition, participants shared suggestions for additional fundraising strategies during Charity Month, such as using loudspeakers to broadcast messages and raise awareness in crowded locations like the market and bus park. Also, to increase contributions for the Charity Month, there is a way to mobilize members of savings and internal lending community groups that are supported by Caritas Kibungo through projects. Staff from the Caritas Kibungo projects and the Social Welfare Department will collaborate to organize field visits to the savings groups.
With regard to (i) [1]Harmonize, coordinate and strengthen the volunteer system within the Caritas network with emphasis on youth mobilization; as well as (ii) [2]strengthening the support for integral human development with emphasis on young people, the Caritas Kibungo team said that the awareness is regularly conducted to make Caritas known among the youth, promoting its values, and calling them to be involved in volunteering activities. The mobilization is organized in schools, universities and seminaries, so that children and youth grow up with a heart filled with love and help vulnerable people.
At the end of the meeting, the Caritas Kibungo team thanked Caritas Rwanda for organizing such a collaborative meeting, and promised that they will implement the ideas from exchanges in order to refine what they do.
After the meeting, the joint team visited the Home of Joy run by the Missionary of Charity Sisters (in Ngoma district) and the Urugo rw’Amahoro Kabarondo Centre run by the volunteers (in Kayonza district). Both centres care for vulnerable people.
[1] 7th recommendation from the Caritas Rwanda General Assembly 2023, regarding the diocesan Caritas.
[2] 8th recommendation from the Caritas Rwanda General Assembly 2023, regarding the diocesan Caritas.