Rwanda, second host country for Burundian refugees 

The Daughters of Charity arrived in the Kirehe district of Rwanda in 2017. They responded to a call from the bishop of the diocese of Kibungo to serve at the Mahama refugee camp. The camp was set up in 2015 to accommodate Burundian refugees fleeing repression, threats, violence and atrocities committed by militias supported by the current regime. Rwanda is the second host country after Tanzania. With the change of government in 2020, many refugees were able to return home. 

But the sisters continue to be on mission with those who have remained in Rwanda and are struggling to survive in makeshift accommodation outside the camps: women and men abandoned by their spouses, children who have dropped out of school or have been abandoned, families with disabled or mentally ill people.

A large proportion of the population is poorly educated and survives on odd jobs in trade or agriculture. 

"In recent years, the region has been severely affected by a violent wind that has destroyed many houses, leaving many very poor families homeless and rejected.
Most of these people have no land to farm. Those who do are victims of the drought and sometimes don't harvest enough to feed their families, let alone pay for school or medical expenses." Sr Marie-Louise

The project: support 3 families in building their own home 

Scheduled to take 9 months to complete, the construction of the 3 houses will enable 3 families in difficulty, totalling 16 people, to find decent accommodation. Some of these people have disabilities or chronic illnesses. 

"Before helping them to finance the construction of their home, each family was invited and encouraged last year to look for and acquire a plot of land." Sr Marie-Louise

Jean Damascène, Donatha and their 4 children currently live in a house in ruins, which is in danger of collapsing. When it's the rainy season, they can't stay there - the neighbours shelter them!

Jean-Baptiste, Marie and their 2 children rent a hovel while waiting to build their house.

F. and Lucie currently live with their 4 children in a dilapidated one-room house. They are looking forward to building a house on a plot of land they have acquired next door.

The families will contribute to the project by working as assistant masons (drawing water, making bricks, etc.) and erecting the frames. 2 masons will be employed on the sites and the assistant masons will also be paid.

"The sisters will visit these 3 families regularly to listen to them and encourage them to feel responsible and to take an active part in building their home.
Finding a home will give them back their dignity and help them to improve their living conditions."
Sr Marie-Louise

Thank you for your support!
With them, thanks to you!