On 27th November 2024, at Sainte Famille Hotel, Caritas Rwanda hosted its 2024 Partners Forum, a premier event that brought together key stakeholders in social welfare, health and development sectors. This Partners Forum showcased the achievements of Caritas Rwanda’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan and outlined orientations for the upcoming 2025-2030 Strategic Plan.
The Partners Forum was also an occasion to express gratitude for current and future partnerships, and strengthen “Partner Engagement” across planning, program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
During this event, the stakeholders engaged directly with Caritas Rwanda projects and program participants through interactive gallery walks, where some of them were exhibiting they income activities.
One of the Caritas Rwanda’s programs/projects, Kwibuka Sostène from Nyamasheke District, testified how Caritas Rwanda through the Igire Gimbuka program supported him to accomplish a TVET program in carpentry and providef him with toolkit. With a small amout of money gained in his first job and the toolkit, he created his own workshop. Today, he earns at least Rwf 70,000 and has managed to buy a plot of land at Rwf 500,000 and started a pig farming.
Mrs. Claudine Nyinawagaga, the Director General of the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), in her speech, commended Caritas for its work in supporting the government fight poverty, and recommended the organization to work in close collaboration with local authorities at any level.
To react to this recommendation, Bishop Anaclet Mwumvaneza of the Nyundo Diocese and the President of Caritas Rwanda, said that Caritas already works with local authorities, giving an example of how local leadership participate in participants identification, especially those who have not yet received other support. “We will continue to find new ways to reach more vulnerable people”, said Bishop Anaclet.
Hans Fly, the Catholic Relief Services Rwanda Country Representative who spoke on behalf of other partners, said that the reason why Caritas Rwanda gathered them on this day is because it values partnership across diverse partners either be Government, public sector, in national civil society, Church and so on. Caritas search solidarity in its mission. “What is the uniqueness, what Caritas brings to the table? It is its mission, which is also ours, to serve most vulnerable people and leave no one behind. After seeing all those achievements, I think Caritas Rwanda is a strong example of localization”, added Mr. Fly.
The Caritas Africa’s representative, Bishop Pierre Cibambo Ntakobajira, who attended the ceremony, congratulated Caritas Rwanda for what was done during the last five years, and qualified the organization as a good example in accomplishing the Catholic Church mission of assisting vulnerable people. “The work of Caritas is not a job but a mission to restore hope to the needy”, Bishop Cibamba added.
During the Partners Forum, Philippe Habinshuti, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) stressed that the Catholic Church through Caritas has been a pillar of strength and hope for countless individuals in Rwanda. “Your tireless dedication to the welfare of vulnerable people being citizens or refugees, your continuous assistance to people affected by social-economic shocks and disasters is remarkable. We recognize the contribution of Caritas at Diocesan Caritas and Parish levels but also the valuable contributions of Christians whenever their neighbours’ needs are affected”, PS Philippe Habinshuti added.
In this event, attendees included leaders from the Catholic Church, representatives from international organizations, national and local government officials, Caritas sisters, members of local organizations, private sector partners, universities, and higher education institutions, as well as program participants and volunteers.