On 12th and 13th August 2024, the heads of (i) Administration and Finance and (ii) Social Welfare departments of Diocesan Caritas and Caritas Rwanda held a workshop for a mid-term evaluation of the 2024 operational plan (January – June 2024).
This exercise also aimed to evaluate the implement of the Caritas Rwanda Strategic Plan 2020-2024 and reflecting on the activities to be part of the upcoming Strategic Plan (2025-2030).
After reviewing what has been done, the participants concluded that most of the activities have been implemented while those that have been not implemented will be prioritized for the for the remaining months of the year.
During this workshop, the directors of Diocesan Caritas and the Secretary General of Caritas Rwanda held a meeting which recommended the elaboration of reports providing full information to decision makers, the strengthening of the communication and staff capacity building, as well as the encouragement of staff to adopt the Caritas Spirit.
On Friday 26th July 2024, the PRM/PAC project that was implemented in Kiziba refugee camp from August 2021, was officially concluded, after helping 580 partners to start income-generating activities in order to come out extreme poverty and develop.
The project aimed to reach 700 participants, including 500 refugees and 200 members of the host community. Due to the refugee resettlement program, only 580 participants were reached.
After the identification, the participants received various trainings and each received a grant of 800,000 Frw to start small income-generating activities, while they were encouraged to form savings groups for their economic development. Indeed, 24 groups (including 17 from the Kiziba camp and 7 from the host community) were created, bringing together 580 members. Until July 2024, a total of 113,661,003 Frw have circulated among the savings group members.
The income-generating activities (IGA) implemented by the project participants include 259 agricultural and livestock IGA, 329 commercial IGA, 35 vocational IGA, 15 related to motorcycle transport, and 20 related to the provision of various services (mobile money, Irembo).
As a sign of development, PRM/PAC project participants purchased livestock including 130 cows, 235 pigs, 273 goats and 256 chickens, while 57 othersbuilt houses for their families.
Addressing participants at the closing ceremony of the PRM/PAC project in Kiziba camp, Caritas Rwanda Secretary General, Father Oscar Kagimbura, praised the Government of Rwanda for doing everything possible to ensure that refugees are secured and has access to development, and commended the cooperation of all partners in supporting refugees.
The PRM/PAC project was implemented by Caritas Rwanda in Kiziba and Nyabiheke refugees’ camps in collaboration with World Vision Rwanda, with funding from the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM). The project aimed at helping refugees and Rwandan host community members to come out extreme poverty.
In collaboration with Burera District, on July 30, 2024, the USAID Gikuriro Kuri Bose Program welcomed a delegation from the District Plan to Eliminate Malnutrition secretariat and USAID Gikuriro Kuri Bose nutrition teams from nine districts. This visit aimed to facilitate the exchange of innovative ideas and best practices in preventing stunting and promoting inclusive nurturing care, as implemented by the USAID Gikuriro Kuri Bose program in Burera District.
The team visited the Rugarama Nutrition Center in Rugarama Sector and benefited from a presentation on the Continuous Quality Improvement Project, through which children affected by malnutrition are rehabilitated in close collaboration with the community, the Sector Plan to Eliminate Malnutrition and Child Development (SPEM-CD), and partners including USAID Gikuriro Kuri Bose. The Nutrition Rehabilitation Fund (Ikigega cyo Kondora umwana) operating at the SPEM-CD level plays a crucial role in providing financial support for essential food commodities.
The guests also visited Kabindi Village in Gahunga sector, highlighting the importance of feeding children a nutrient-dense diet within Home-Based Early Childhood Development (ECD) facility, led by community health workers and parents lumiere. All 30/30 members of the village nutrition school have eggs laying chicken, which contributes to ensuring that young children consume plenty of animal source proteins through a well-balancedmeals, crucial for their growth, development, and overall well-being.
The USAID Gikuriro Kuri Bose program implements the village’s Nutrition School (VNS) approach in Kabindi Village within the Nutrition Rehabilitation Fund, aiming to provide such diets at Growth Monitoring Promotion (GMP), VNS, ECD, and Nutrition Rehabilitation Center, demonstrating effective strategies for supporting early childhood nutrition and development.
At Gatovu Nurturing Care Hub, the visitors interacted with parents about inclusive Nurturing Care services and their contributions and commitments to sustaining these services.
On July 29, 2024, staff members from Caritas Rwanda and Caritas Butare convened to discuss ways to enhance the visibility of Caritas, develop fundraising strategies for Charity Month, evaluate the progress of the Caritas Rwanda 2023 General Assembly (Social Welfare Department), and review the activities scheduled for January-June 2024.
During the discussion on enhancing Caritas’ visibility, participants reached a consensus that the staff at Caritas Butare will be responsible for composing articles highlighting the various activities of its departments, as well as other charitable endeavours within the Catholic Church aimed at assisting the less fortunate.
Father Boniface Kamulegeya, the Director of Caritas Butare and chair of the meeting emphasized the importance of training the staff to create high-quality reports that could serve as the basis for these articles. He urged the Caritas Butare team to provide comprehensive reports accompanied by photographs to ensure the effectiveness of their communication efforts.
During the discussion on enhancing Caritas’ visibility, participants reached a consensus that the staff at Caritas Butare will be responsible for composing articles highlighting the various activities of its departments, as well as other charitable endeavours within the Catholic Church aimed at assisting the less fortunate.
Father Boniface Kamulegeya, the Director of Caritas Butare and chair of the meeting, emphasized the importance of training the staff to create high-quality reports that could serve as the basis for these articles. He urged the Caritas Butare team to provide comprehensive reports accompanied by photographs to ensure the effectiveness of their communication efforts.
Regarding the celebration of Caritas Day and the Day of the Poor, participants noted that these days are celebrated properly.
This meeting also discussed the field visits made by Caritas Butare to the parish Caritas to re-energize their committees. Such visits will take place twice a year and will help increase the productivity of the month of Charity and Mercy. Currently, Caritas Butare has already visited 21 parishes Caritas out of 26, and Christians have reported that the harvest is good in February rather than August as it used to be.
As part of strengthening the animation for integral human development with a focus on young people, Caritas Butare provided financial support to some poor people to enable them to create small income-generating activities and helped them form savings and internal credit groups. Among the 48 people who received financial support, 20 have flourishing activities. The beneficiaries are also sensitized to behavioural change, to come out of extreme poverty. Each received a cash grant of between 26,000 Frw and 20,000 Frw.
Regarding the activities planned for January-June 2024, Caritas Butare staff said that the Caritas animation in schools has not been carried out, but it will be conducted when the children go back to school.
Concerning the activities that will be part of Caritas Rwanda’s strategic plan for 2025-2030, the participants concluded that they will be discussed at the meeting that will bring them together on 12th and 13th August 2024 at the national level.
On 25th July 2024, the staff of Caritas Rwanda and Caritas Ruhengeri met to exchange ideas on promoting Caritas’ visibility. The meeting also included an evaluation of the progress made in implementing the recommendations from the Caritas Rwanda 2023 General Assembly, specifically those related to the Department of Social Welfare. Additionally, the staff reviewed the activities scheduled for January- June 2024.
This meeting also aimed at brainstorming on the activities that will be included in the Caritas Rwanda strategic plan for 2025-2030.
After the prayer led by Father Narcisse Ngirimana, the director of Caritas Ruhengeri, there was a presentation about Caritas Ruhengeri’s activities carried out through its 4 departments namely: Administration and Finance, Social Welfare, Health and Development.
Speaking on behalf of Caritas Rwanda Secretary General, Sister Gaudiose Nyiraneza, the acting Director of the Social Welfare Department at Caritas Rwanda, commended Caritas Ruhengeri for their outstanding performance in fundraising during the Month of Charity (2023) and for consistently submitting reports within the agreed-upon deadlines.In addition, Caritas Ruhengeri was praised for its contributions to radio programs and articles published in Caritas Contact and Radio Maria Rwanda. Thus, participants took this opportunity to discuss the best way to write an article, for all Caritas Ruhengeri departments to write in the future. These articles will be published in Kinyamateka and Caritas Contact.
To increase the productivity of the 2024 Charity Month, participants deemed it necessary to strengthen animation everywhere.
The meeting also discussed the point concerning the celebration of Caritas Day and the Day of the Poor, where it was noted that these days are celebrated properly in the Ruhengeri Diocese area.
Participants also discussed the implementation of one of the 2023 Caritas Rwanda General Assembly recommendations, regarding strengthening the support for integral human development with emphasis on young people. In this context, Caritas Ruhengeri staff highlighted their ongoing efforts to conduct educational activities in schools as part of this initiative.
Concerning the activities planned for January-May 2024, everything has been done, except the learning visits between parishes’ Caritas. Caritas Ruhengeri intends to conduct these visits in the near future.
Regarding the activities to be part of the Caritas Rwanda strategic plan 2025-2030, participants agreed that they will be discussed during the meeting scheduled on 12th and 13th July 2024.
Participants expressed concerns about tendency for some beneficiaries who rely heavily on continued support without taking ownership of their progress. As a result, participants concluded that there is a need to promote self-reliance and independence. It was agreed during the meeting that raising awareness about the need for behavior change is crucial in addressing this issue effectively.
In his closing remarks, Father Narcisse Ngirimana, Director of Caritas Ruhengeri, recalled that in the past, a poor person was a person who did not have food, clothes, etc. Today, there are also the poor who cannot be recognized at first sight, who have other problems that overwhelm them, educated young people with prolonged unemployment and other problems that are not immediately noticeable. Father Narcisse added that this requires discernment so that a person is assisted for what she/he needs, so that the body and soul are healthy.
After the meeting, the team visited the Centre Saint Vincent Ruhengeri, which cares for orphaned disabled children.
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 23rd 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 9th 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:
Strengthen the Entrepreneurship Skills of Youth to Make Them Job Creators;
Promote Youth Effective Participation in Gainful Agriculture;
Promote Vocational Training, Internship, and Apprenticeship Among Youth;
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:
Enhancing sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices to increase the production of nutrient-rich food for the most vulnerable individuals;
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;
Efficiently utilizing and monitoring available water resources, improving drinking water supply, sanitation, hygiene and field irrigation;
Enhancing the capacities and skills of vulnerable individuals and authorities to monitor and utilize natural resources effectively for income-generation;
Providing vulnerable adults and young people, particularly women and girls, with improved access to financial resources to contribute to the family budget;
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.