As part of its initiative to call everyone to assist vulnerable people, on 26th 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.