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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

 

As part of the collaborative meetings that Caritas Rwanda is holding with the diocesan Caritas, a team from Caritas Rwanda and Caritas Kabgayi met on 22^nd August 2024 to evaluate the implementation of 2023 Caritas Rwanda General Assembly recommendations (for the Social Welfare department) and to exchange ideas.

In his opening remarks, Father Jean Berchmans Gasasira, Director of Caritas Kabgayi, recalled that like other diocesan Caritas, Caritas Kabgayi is part of the Caritas Rwanda family. Father Jean Berchmans thanked Caritas Rwanda for the good coordination and advice for the proper functioning of the diocesan Caritas.

The participants then discussed about the Caritas’ visibility through the Catholic Church media and the Caritas Rwanda annual magazine called “Caritas Contact”. Thus, they took this opportunity to review together how to write a good story.

Celebration of Caritas Day and World Day of the Poor

During the celebration of the World Day of the Poor, the message of the Holy Pope for this day is read in all parishes, and the selected poor receive help. Each parish decides how to celebrate this day according to its capacities, but so far, not all are able to help the poor.

Regarding the celebration of Caritas Day, Caritas Kabgayi organizes a week to help the poor where various charity acts are done at the parish level such as cultivating the fields of the poor, giving them food, building houses for them, etc. At the end of this week, the Parishes celebrate the Caritas Day, to pay tribute to those who those who are no longer Caritas volunteers because of their advanced age, while they pray for the souls of the volunteers who died. The Caritas Day celebration is an opportunity to self-evaluate and plan for the future.

Encouraging Youth to Become Caritas Volunteers

In order to encourage youth to participate in Caritas volunteer activities, Caritas Kabgayi encourages the parish Caritas committees’ members to conduct awareness campaigns in primary and secondary schools at least once a year in each school, and help to set up a Caritas committee for each school.

The Charity Month campaign

During this Charity Month campaign, Caritas Kabgayi staff visited all parishes to raise awareness. This campaign was named “Twese Tujyanemo!” (Together, Let’s do it!).

In addition to conducting awareness in parishes, the message inviting everyone to contribute to the Charity Month is also broadcast on the radio “Ijwi rya Gare” (The Voice of the Bus Station) and on the market radio.

Caritas Kabgayi staff also undertook a study tour in the Ruhengeri Diocese, to learn how Caritas Ruhengeri conducted the awareness campaign for the Charity Month 2023 to collect Rwf 25,198,908.

Closing the meeting, Father Gasasira Jean Berchmans said that the Diocese of Kabgayi has appointed the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, in order to grant them dignity. As the projects that take care of these people have a certain periodicity, this commission will allow Caritas Kabgayi to help them regularly. Father Jean Berchmans also returned to the Caritas’ vision: “We want the poor to have a life like that of others and to have dignity like others, that is why Caritas exists. This is the fight that we must lead together”.

At the end of the meeting, the joint team of Caritas Kabgayi and Caritas Rwanda paid a visit to the Home Saint Joseph Kabgayi owned by the Abizeramariya Sisters, which cares for vulnerable elderly people, who gave touching testimonies, sharing how they arrived in bad condition, were treated and healed from their physical and emotional wounds.

During this visit, Caritas Kabgayi donated food to the Home Saint Joseph Kabgayi.

An MOU was signed this 6^th August 2024 between BK Foundation and the Igire Implementing Partners at Ubumwe Grande Hotel, marking a significant partnership in supporting 200 youth from OVC and DREAMS supported districts to pursuit TVET program throughout 2027.

As a pilot phase, this activity will be implemented in five districts namely Muhanga, Kayonza, Kicukiro, Rwamagana and Nyamasheke targeting 200 youth from OVC and DREAMS supported districts. The prioritized districts have a bigger youth population that needs TVET scholarship, and majority are adolescent girls and young women.

The selection of participants will involve BKF and local leaders to ensure we are targeting the most in need and avoid overlap with other development partners in targeted districts.

This cohort of 200 youth will be for a 12-month period, including six months of intense trainings, three months of internship and three more for monitoring to track and report on employment.

On 12^th and 13^th 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 26^th 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 12^th and 13^th August 2024 at the national level.

On 25^th 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.