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UBUMWE SILC group testimony

Following a training on SILC methodology facilitated by the ECD Project funded by Plan International Rwanda and implemented by Caritas Rwanda in the Gatsibo, Nyaruguru and Bugesera districts, 30 parents of children enrolled in the Tuganire home-based ECD formed a SILC group (Ubumwe) and invested in poultry farming to feed their children with nutritious meals and develop economically.

In the beginning, the Ubumwe SILC group from Gatsibo District used to save Rwf 200 per week with a goal of purchasing hens for every parent. Before distributing the hens, they distributed goats (two parents shared one goat) after the first saving year.

After discovering that goats were not profitable, they switched to raising chickens. This poultry farming opened the business door to group members, as you can discover in the following video :

 

 

On 24th and 25th March 2025, at the Centre Saint Vincent Pallotti Gikondo, Caritas Rwanda held its 28th General Assembly to assess the implementation of its 27th General Assembly recommendations (2024), to present the 2024 activity report and the 2025-2030 strategic plan, and to formulate the recommendations for 2025.

In his opening remarks, Bishop Anaclet Mwumvaneza, President of Caritas Rwanda and Bishop of the Nyundo Diocese, emphasised the need for combined efforts, especially in these times when humanitarian interventions are declining daily due to cuts and reductions in external funding. “We must therefore combine our efforts more than ever to increase our capacity to support the poor, showing them more of our charity,” he said. Bishop Anaclet added that charity without prayer risks becoming a philanthropy that quickly runs out of steam, as Pope Francis recalled during the celebration of the 8th World Day of the Poor on November 17, 2024.

The President of Caritas Rwanda took this opportunity to thank all Caritas across the country for celebrating this day (World Day of the Poor) in an impressive way and in communion and sharing with the poor in hospitals, Approved Catholic Health Facilities (FOSA), parishes, and all grassroots ecclesial communities.

Addressing the participants, Father Thomasz Gdula, the Secretary of the Nunciature, emphasized that throughout its history, Caritas has responded to major global crises while supporting structural changes to address the root causes of poverty. He thanked the national and international organisations, as well as the individuals of goodwill, who join forces with Caritas to help those most in need.

At the 28th General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda, the 2024 activity report, presented through four Caritas Rwanda’s departments (the Administration and Finance Department, the Social Welfare Department, Health Department and the Development Department), showed that all the activities had been successfully implemented.

During this General Assembly, it was announced that the total fundraising for the 2024 Charity Month is Rwf 165.534.676. The Diocesan Caritas of Ruhengeri came in first place with Rwf 35,197,623 of contributions, followed by the Diocesan Caritas of Cyangugu, which raised Rwf 21,313,555.

Recommendations for 2025

Among the recommendations of the 28th General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda are strengthening synergy between the various commissions of the C.E.R., collaboration and synergy between Caritas Rwanda and all Episcopal Commissions and services working in Integral Human Development, as well as strengthening resource mobilization strategies and exploring new innovative actions to increase equity towards the organization’s sustainability.

There is also the operationalization of prison chaplaincy at all levels, the inculcation of an audit culture at Caritas levels and Approved Health Facilities (FOSA), the diversification of strategies to increase the Month of Charity Month fundraisings, the ensuring that each FOSA has a chapel to facilitate the spiritual care of the sick and their families, as well as the strengthening of the awareness of Caritas spirit in its areas of intervention (Social Welfare, Health, and Development).

The 28^th General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda was also an opportunity to welcome the President of Missio Invest, Father Andrew Small, who gave a brief presentation on the various funding opportunities offered by this organization for entrepreneurial development initiatives led by the Catholic Church with a view to financial autonomy.

It is also worth noting the appointment of Father Jérémie Shyaka, Director of the Diocesan Caritas of Kibungo, to the Board of Directors of Caritas Rwanda, replacing Father Félicien Mujyambere.

During a community awareness event on positive parenting, which focused on the role of fathers in nurturing their children’s growth and development, organized by the ECD Project in Bugesera District on March 21, 2025, the Kamabuye Sector Father Role Models won the match with a score of four penalties against three of the Ngeruka Sector team.

After the game, local authorities delivered speeches emphasising the crucial role fathers play in their children’s development. Kadafi Aimable, the Executive Secretary of Ngeruka Sector, expressed gratitude to parents who have enrolled their children in home-based ECD programs. He urged those who have not yet done so to consider enrolling their children to ensure they benefit from the advantages of home-based ECDs. Aimable also extended his appreciation to Caritas Rwanda and Plan International Rwanda for their support of home-based ECD programs in Bugesera District.

Following the game, local leaders led discussions on the importance of fathers in their children’s’ growth. Bamurange Appollinarie, the Gender and Family Promotion Officer in Bugesera District, emphasized the importance of proper child-rearing. She advised parents to avoid punishing their children out of anger, and instead focus on encouraging and boosting their self-confidence. Building and maintaining a strong friendship with their children, actively listening to them, clearly communicating expectations, offering praise for achievements, and setting a positive example were all highlighted as key components of effective parenting.

After the local leaders’ speeches, a lively Questions-and-Answers session centered on early childhood development took place. The winners of the session were rewarded with jerseys, while trophies were presented to both teams involved.

From March 10-21, 2025, Caritas Rwanda, in partnership with the RBC Malaria Division and Nyamasheke District Task Force Team, carried out an intensive 2-week Malaria investigation in the hotspot sectors of Macuba, Kirimbi, and Kagano.

This activity aimed to identify areas with the highest malaria burden and implement targeted actions to reduce malaria incidence. During this period, Caritas Rwanda conducted door-to-door household visits in communities most affected by malaria, providing valuable education on prevention and control measures.

In addition, community mobilization meetings known as Inteko z’abaturage were organized to engage local leaders and citizens, increasing awareness and strengthening the community’s role in combating malaria. The collaboration focused on ensuring sustainable and effective malaria prevention practices within the affected villages.

As part of its ECD project, funded by Plan Rwanda International, Caritas Rwanda organized a friendly football match between Rusenge Father Role Models and Gikunzi Father Role Models in Nyaruguru District. The Rusenge team scored 5 penalties against the Gikunzi team’s 4. This match was organized on March 18, 2025, to raise awareness among the parents on positive parenting focusing on the importance of fathers’ crucial role in the growth and development of their children.

After the game, local leaders and project staff delivered messages and posed questions to underscore the crucial role fathers play in the growth and development of their children. The winning participants received t-shirts as a token of appreciation.

During this match, both teams scored the same one to one, which led to a penalty shootout. After the match, Nsabumuremyi Janvier, the Early Childhood Development (ECD) coordinator in Nyaruguru District, recalled the six pillars of ECD, namely: (i) adequate nutrition, (ii) health, (iii) water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), (iv)child protection and inclusiveness, (v) readiness/ opportunities for early learning, and (vi) parenting education.

Mr. Nsanzumuremyi took this opportunity to call on fathers to play a role as well as mothers in ensuring the implementation of these six pillars. He thanked Caritas Rwanda and Plan International Rwanda as donors involved in ECD activities in Nyaruguru District, including maintaining ECD centers and homes, providing various necessary equipment, training caregivers, and assisting parents in providing food for their children in HBECD and centers.

After the match, there was also a question-and-answer session on the crucial role fathers play in the growth and development of their children, and the winners received t-shirts as a token of appreciation. In addition, trophies were awarded to both teams, since the primary objective was to raise awareness about positive parenting, not to compete.

A similar event was also held in Gatsibo District on 14^th March 2025, and is scheduled to take place in Bugesera District on 21^st March 2025, the two districts where the ECD project is being implemented in addition to Nyaruguru District.

As a creative way to engage the community and spread awareness on Positive Parenting, Caritas Rwanda in partnership with Gatsibo District, through the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Project funded by Plan International Rwanda, organized a football match between Murambi and Kiziguro Father Role Models. This event was held at Groupe Scholaire Rwimitereri, Murambi Sector in Gatsibo District on March 14, 2025.

The specific goals of this awareness campaign were to:

– Promote parental involvement, with a particular emphasis on fathers, in nurturing care tasks, gender transformative emphasizing the significance of shared responsibilities within the family unit;

– Use football as a means of fostering positive interactions between parents and their children;

– Establish a forum for fathers to gain experiences from father role models, enhancing parenting skills;

– Educate communities on the transformative impact of positive parenting practices in cultivating responsible children and how such practices can mitigate issues such as school dropouts, domestic violence and behaviour problems in the future.

In this community awareness promoting Positive Parenting, the Murambi Father Role Models team emerged victorious with a score of 5 against 0 of the Kiziguro team. The two teams received trophy cups each.

During the half-time, local leaders and project staff delivered messages highlighting the crucial role fathers play in the growth and development of their children. Following the messages, a question-and-answer session took place, and t-shirts were awarded to the winning participants.

Addressing participants, Naomy Mukagasana, the Gatsibo District employee in charge of Gender and Family Promotion, urged parents (both fathers and mothers) to take care of their children by giving them love, raising them in a proper manner and setting boundaries for what is and is not allowed, building their self-confidence, protecting them from the harm of technology and being loving parents to be a role model for them.

This awareness campaign will also be carried out in Nyaruguru on 18^th March 2025 and in Bugesera on 21^st March 2025.

Caritas Rwanda Family, gathering 10 diocesan Caritas and National level joined in a two-day reporting workshop on January 23-24, 2025, at Centre d’Accueil Bonne Esperance Kicukiro, in a preparation of the forthcoming General Assembly of Caritas Rwanda scheduled March 25-26, 2025. The workshop was characterized by the commitment and active participation of all members of the network as testified by Head of Administration and Finance department, Head of Health Department, Social Welfare and Development Departments’ Representatives in their feedback remarks.

Closing the session, Father Oscar KAGIMBURA, Secretary General of Caritas Rwanda expressed his gratitude to all participants. “Getting well prepared will allow shortening the Geneal Assembly from two days to one in the future”, he said. The departments were reminded to keep joining hands in mobilizing more resources, maintaining existing and new partners satisfied through clear and transparent communication, creating more and more trust.

The new Caritas Rwanda Strategic Plan 2025-2030 will allow us to continue supporting those in need to improve their lives. Father Oscar stressed the importance of being always ready to intervene in case of emergencies and reminded participants of the pending approval of the “Preparedness Plan” inviting concerned persons to work on it as quick as possible. “This is the work of all Caritas departments as emergencies affect all your plans”, said the Secretary General. Participants were reminded of supporting Rwandans to achieve their integral development through informing them of existing opportunities, supporting them to access services they offer among others. Departments were mandated to synergize with other Episcopal Conference Commissions and Services, development should explore ways to support Catholic Church decentralized resources to significantly contribute to the increase of agricultural and animal production towards food security and access to food, leveraging existing warehouses and other postharvest processing infrastructures.

On 9^th January 2024, Caritas Rwanda in collaboration with the Burera District officially inaugurated the Rwabageni Nurturing Care Hub, constructed with funds from the Dennis and Jane Reese Foundation, in Kiringa Cell, Kagogo Sector, Burera District in the Western Province of Rwanda. This NCH will help 80 children access early childhood education at village level.

Apart from fostering early childhood education, the Rwabageni NCH will serve as one stop site for community nutrition interventions supported by USAID Gikuriro Kuri Bose program to fight against stunting among young children.

During the Rwabageni NCH inauguration, the guests visited two classrooms of Children aged (3-4 years) and (5-6 years) and observed how the community with the USAID Gikuriro Kuri Bose support is improving Early learning, Positive parenting education, Child Play and stimulation, and disability inclusion.

Father Oscar Kagimbura, the Secretary General of Caritas Rwanda expressed their gratitude to the Dennis and Jane Reese Foundation for funding the Rwabageni NCH initiative and urged parents to take ownership of the NCH to ensure its sustainability.

As for Mrs. Mukamana Soline, Mayor of Burera District, the Rwabageni NCH initiative falls within the national Early Childhood Development (ECD) strategy, which attempts to promote children’s development from conception to age six. “As local leaders, we prefer sustainable initiatives rather than those that end with projects,” said Mayor Mukamana Soline.

Aron James, representing the Dennis and Jane Reese Foundation in the ceremony, thanked local authorities for their cooperation and expressed his delight in seeing parents actively participating in NCH activities. He also pledged continued collaboration to support the initiative.

This event was also a good opportunity to raise awareness on fighting against the stunting among young children. In her speech, Dr. Umurungi Serubibi Yvonne, Chief of Party for the USAID Gikuriro Kuri Bose Program, reminded the participating mothers that they must conducted 8 ANC standard visits during pregnancy, breastfeed their children for 6 months without any supplements, and after 6 months, start giving them a balanced diet as instructed.

During the inauguration, the children were provided with nutritious meal.

In order to reflect on the past year, meditate and prepare for the Christmas day, Caritas Rwanda staff participated in a one-day retreat (December 24, 2024) at the Saint Vincent Palotti Center Gikondo.

Caritas Rwanda hosts this kind of retreat annually, which unites all staff members-both those at the headquarters and those working in different parts of the country. This retreat consists of a number of activities, such as hearing the sermon for the day, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, adoration, penance and meditation, Holy Mass, and meal sharing.

Father Emmanuel Nsengiyumva urged the retreat attendees in his sermon to always consider why they work for Caritas Rwanda, why God has selected them for this work, and what will enable them to carry out their tasks effectively. “We become servants to everyone to whom we are given in order to serve them. You have to serve them and humble yourself as you become promoted. It is crucial to carry out these responsibilities effectively, and you will be rewarded for your efforts,” Father Emmanuel added.

At the conclusion of the retreat, Caritas Rwanda Secretary General Father Oscar Kagimbura thanked Father Emmanuel Nsengiyumva for his sermon, which reminded Caritas Rwanda staff that they play a crucial part in sharing God’s love by engaging in acts of compassion for those in need. “By appropriately carrying out our duties, we demonstrate this love. People show their appreciation for Caritas Rwanda’s work. This retreat is an opportunity to thank all the employees involved in the various activities of Caritas Rwanda”, continued Father Oscar who also used the opportunity to wish all of the personnel a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2025.

The Graduation Project that has been implementing in Mahama, Nyabiheke and Kiziba Refugee camps and their host communities; as well as in Kigali urban was concluded on 11th December 2024 at Nobleza Hotel Kicukiro.

During its 5-year lifetime, the Graduation Project supported 3,017 households. The participants benefited from various training sessions and received cash grants of Rwf 800,000 each to start income-generating activities towards their self-reliance. 3,017 businesses were established, resulting in the creation of 4,987 jobs. 8 cooperatives were formed as well, to enhance collective economic activities.

In his opening remarks, Father Oscar Kagimbura, the Secretary General of Caritas Rwanda commended various participants for their contribution in the project achievements, especially in improving lives of refugees and host communities.

During this event, the Graduation Project participants delivered touching testimonies demonstrating how they became empowered and self-reliant, thanks to this project’s support. In a gallery walk, they exposed and gave more explanations to guests regarding their income generating activities.

The Danemark Mission in Rwanda’s representative in the ceremony, Karangwa Viateur, stressed that after visiting the projects participants’ income-generating activities, they noticed that there are so many people who need help that one donor cannot support alone. He called on various donors to get engaged so that they can form a coalition and help people in need. In fact, the Danemark mission has approved the second phase of the Graduation project basing on its first phase achievements.

Mrs. Richelle Haines, who spoke on behalf of the UNHCR Rwanda at the Graduation Project closeout ceremony, commended the Rwanda Government for receiving the refugees and giving them opportunities to develop. Mrs. Haines emphasized that the Graduation project has provided lessons on empowering refugees towards self-reliance.

As for Mr. Karabayinga Emmanuel, the guest of honour in the ceremony and representing the Rwanda Ministry of Emergency Management commended Caritas Rwanda for successfully implementing a project aligned with the Rwanda’s 2016 leaders’ summit commitment to promoting livelihoods for refugees. As a result of the summit, the strategy was launched by MINEMA and UNHCR aiming to transition refugees from dependency to self-reliance alongside host communities. He also thanked donors for their support and congratulated participants on their five-year journey toward self-reliance.

The Graduation project closeout ceremony was also an occasion to share the lessons learned and the way forward through a panel discussion formed by camp managers, mayors, refugees’ representatives and Caritas Rwanda’s staff.

The Graduation Project is funded by the Government of Denmark through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Over a five-year period (2020-2024), it has cost $3,066,640 USD (around Rwf 4,250,000,000). It aims to promote economic inclusion and self-reliance of refugees and their host communities in Rwanda (with a target of 3017 households). Furthermore, the Denmark government had agreed to provide funding for the Graduation second phase.