Alongside a pond in Rwanda once roamed the legendary “Big Five” animals of Africa. Today, dominion of the pond belongs to creatures that are smaller but even deadlier — bloodsucking parasites, mosquitoes, and snakes. Eight-year-old Esther hates the pond, her only source of water.
Why World Vision is in Rwanda
Over a decade of political stability continues in Rwanda, where people celebrated a peaceful presidential re-election this year. Rwanda is hosting thousands of refugees from war-torn neighboring countries. A 2016 Global Gender Gap Report ranked Rwanda among the top 10 countries and the number one African country for progress in closing inequality between men and women. While a drought caused food shortages in the eastern part of the country at the beginning of the year, severe rains later left thousands homeless and others injured from collapsing or damaged buildings. Political stability and gender equality are important steps toward strengthening Rwanda, so people can respond well to the needs of their vulnerable neighbors. Together we’re working to give thousands of people access to clean water. As we’re helping to improve the quality of education and address low school completion rates, we’re also making libraries and reading materials available to more kids. Locally supported community savings groups are thriving, giving economic stability to more and more households. Together, we’re making sure that more kids have life-saving nutrition and healthcare services, so they can live flourishing childhoods.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Rwanda ❯
Progress in Rwanda
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- Through a collaboration with the government in Rwanda, work began to simplify and streamline the birth registration process. We also led a birth registration campaign that helped children to obtain birth certificates, so they have better access to basic services like education and health.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- In Rwanda, the aim is to improve child nutrition by training and supporting health workers to teach families to plant vegetable gardens, monitor children's growth, and provide nutritional advice to their caregivers.
- In Rwanda, access to safe, clean water improved through measures that drastically reduced the time people spend looking for water, while also improving the quality of water, including installing new pipelines and water supply systems.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- Through a collaboration with schools in Rwanda and the Literacy Boost model*, reading clubs were formed, where children meet to read together after school. A partnership with local publishers and the Rwanda Education Board helped to develop age appropriate stories written by community members to use in schools. *Literacy Boost is a copyrighted tool designed, developed, and owned by Save the Children.
- Through a collaboration with local school officials in Rwanda, teachers were trained on cutting edge methods to teach literacy tailored to the cultural context.
Prayer Requests from Rwanda
World Vision's staff in Rwanda are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Our ability to care for refugees, especially the children, from neighboring countries who are coming to Rwanda.
Continued peace, stability, and economic transformation for our country.
News from Rwanda
From the Field
1994 Rwanda genocide, aftermath: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
April 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the 1994 Rwanda genocide. What happened? How did World Vision facilitate peace and reconciliation? Find out the answers to these questions and more.
Change Makers
19 reasons to have hope in 2019
Hope shines a light in the darkness. It’s infectious, even healing. But what is there to be hopeful for? Let’s look at the year ahead with 19 reasons to have hope in 2019 — and how to pray them into reality.
Enjoyed learning about Rwanda?
Now discover another country: