In order to explore the best practices and knowledge in agriculture, livestock and income-generating activities, the coordinators of the Development department in the diocesan Caritas and a team from Caritas Rwanda, did a five-day exchange and learning visit to the Gikongoro, Butare, and Nyundo Dioceses, from 21st to 25th October 2024.
On October 21, the team had the opportunity to explore the community agroforestry and fruit tree nurseries managed by the “Twihaze Mu Biribwa” group. Additionally, it visited Canarumwe, a local enterprise specializing in the production and installation of affordable clay cookers in the village of Mutobwe, located in the Nyabimata sector of Nyaruguru district.
On the following day, this team was warmly welcomed by His Excellency, Bishop Jean Bosco Ntagungira of Butare Diocese. He commended the valuable work of Caritas and encouraged the team to collaborate, share knowledge, and leverage technology to enhance production and promote environmentally-friendly practices.
The team also met with Father Edmond Habiyaremye, the Director of Caritas Butare, who welcomed them and appreciated this exchange and learning visit. They also visited the “Centre de formation de jeunes” located in the Save sector, Gisagara District, and exchanged with the youth who sews to earns money, those who are following a professional training in (i) sewing, in (ii) hairdressing and beauty, and in (iii) welding. The participants are the vulnerable young people who come from various catholic parishes, but there are some who come on their own and pay the training fees.
In order to learn from the self-financing activities initiated by the dioceses, the team also visited the accommodation (guests houses) managed by the Caritas Butare, and the poultry, pig and poultry farming of Caritas Butare.
In the Diocese of Butare, the coordinators of the Development Department in Caritas of the Diocese and a team from Caritas Rwanda also visited a young man named Iradukunda Dieudonné who produces wooden objects from the hibiscus tree. In his income-generation activity, Dieudonné employs 40 workers.
As part of this exchange and learning visit, the participants visited the “Babeho Center” in the Tumba sector, and met with young people (former street children) who sew bags that are sold in Italy.
The exchange and learning field participants also visited Itangishaka Esther makes products from leather such as belts and bags, and sells them in her shop. She employs 6 workers.
On the 3rd day, the team travelled from Huye District to Rubavu District.
On the 4th day of the exchange and learning visit, the coordinators of the diocesan Caritas development department and a team from Caritas Rwanda had a meeting with Bishop Anaclet Mwumvaneza of Nyundo Diocese, who is also the president of Caritas Rwanda.
Bishop Anaclet praised Caritas Rwanda for organizing this exchange and learning visit, reminding them that Caritas’ mission is to support people to get out of extreme poverty. He added that this visit will help them expand their knowledge to help the vulnerable people to become resilient.
The Bishop of Nyundo Diocese encouraged the coordinators and the Head of the Development Departments in diocesan Caritas and Caritas Rwanda to find ways to increase Caritas’ own resources by initiating income-generating activities, for not only depending on projects.
Following the meeting, the team visited the BIF company, specializing in artificial insemination of pigs, chicken breeding, and the multiplication of potato seeds from vitro plants.
On the last day the participants met to share the lessons learnt, and committed to discuss with supervisors so that they can put into practice the best practices and knowledge gained during the exchange and learning visit.