Rwanda

Salesian missionaries are building a brighter future in Rwanda after a very difficult past. Many of the country’s orphaned children are the tragic result of a violent civil war. Half of all children drop out of primary school and 2.2 million people — 22 percent of the population — face critical food shortages. Rwandans are anxious to move their lives and their country forward, but need substantial help to do so.

After bravely overcoming the trauma of the 1994 genocide, Rwandans looking to transform their country have made remarkable progress. Still, much remains to be done. Close to 40 percent of its people live in poverty, according to the World Bank. With 90 percent of the economy dependent on subsistence agriculture, new opportunities for employment are much needed.

More Missions In Rwanda

Build primary & secondary schools

Salesian missionaries began their work in Rwanda offering programs to combat poverty through education, skills training and workforce development services, as well as meeting basic needs with shelter and feeding programs. Many initial educational programs focused on teaching how to read and write. However, as more people became interested in learning vocational and trade skills and preparing for the workforce, programs expanded to cover other subjects and incorporate skills training that lead to long-term employment.

Salesian missionaries now operate primary, secondary and vocational schools throughout the country, as well as offer recreational activities, English language classes and agricultural programs. Programs help combat poverty through education, skills training and workforce development services that help students rebuild their lives and their country.

Provide technical & vocational training

St. Mary Mazzarello Technical Secondary School, located in the city of Gisenyi in the Western Province of Rwanda, specializes in hotel operations training. Here, students have the opportunity to acquire all the skills necessary to successfully operate a hotel by taking courses in management, finance and hospitality skills. In addition, students receive support services such as tutoring and training in resume writing and interviewing skills to help them prepare for the workforce. Graduates from the program are fully prepared to find and retain stable employment.

Salesian missionaries in the small village of Muhazi, near the Rwandan capital city of Kigali, operate a vocational center that provides education and training in dressmaking, construction and catering. Students also learn to cook, take care of a home and organize events. In Kigali, many people never went to school or they dropped out when they were attending primary school. Because of this, many residents never had the opportunity to gain an education or the skills for stable employment.

Rescue children facing adversity

With half of Rwanda’s population under the age of 18, lack of educational opportunities is a concern. Half of all children who enroll in primary school don’t finish and go on to face a future of unemployment or employment at low-paying jobs. In addition, almost four percent of children aged 5 to 14 are working in domestic service or other jobs instead of going to school.

Salesian missionaries now operate primary, secondary and vocational schools throughout the country. They also offer recreational activities, English language classes and agricultural programs. Programs help combat poverty through education, skills training and workforce development services that help students rebuild their lives and their country.

Empower girls & women through education

Patience Nyirahabufite, a graduate of St. Mary Mazzarello Technical Secondary School, ranked number one in the country among all graduates taking the national exam. Hailing from humble origins as an orphan and then becoming the mother of two small children at a young age, Patience encountered the Salesian Sisters in Gisenyi who encouraged her to attend school and assisted her in her studies.

Although Patience’s brother cared for her children so she could pursue her studies, it was of constant concern to her knowing that her children were not gaining a formal education. To meet this need, the Salesian Sisters offered Patience a teaching job at St. Mary Mazzarello for a year, enabling her to pay the fees to send her children to school. Speaking at her graduation, Patience credited the Salesian Sisters with helping to make her dreams come true.

Patience continued her studies at the university in Kigali, furthering her education in hotel operations on a government sponsorship. Her goal is to someday to return to Gisenyi and teach in the secondary school where she received her education. In this way, she hopes to give back by helping other young girls further their education just as she did.

Deliver life-saving meals

Students attending the Don Bosco Muhazi Technical-Vocational School, located in the Gasabo district in the Kigali province of Rwanda, now have access to better nutrition thanks to funding provided by Salesian Missions. With the funding, the Salesian school is providing meals to students each day. The program is slated to run from April 2019 to April 2020.

The funding is enabling Salesian missionaries at Don Bosco Muhazi to purchase and store food on a monthly basis so that they can prepare healthy and balanced meals for the students. The school now has rice, beans and oil. They made purchases in Kigali where prices are lower. Missionaries have also bought cabbage, tomatoes and onions. Other vegetables have come from the garden on the school grounds. The project is benefitting 263 students.

Salesian missionaries report that the majority of the population near the school has very low purchasing power and does not have access to a balanced diet. Most families are only able to have enough for one meal a day. As a result of malnutrition, many of the students attending Don Bosco Muhazi fall below normal growth ranges. The school is working to address food shortages so students are able to have the proper nutrition needed to focus on their studies. This will also help to avoid student drop out.

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From Rwanda

In Rwanda, half of children who enroll in primary school don’t finish, according to UNICEF. Without education, youth face a future of unemployment or low-paying jobs.

Fund a project

Help Feed Poor Children

Country: Rwanda

Date Added: March 16, 2021
Country: Rwanda

To provide nutritious meals daily for a year to over 5oo children = $97,000.00

Project Information

Provide a Second-Hand Bus for High School Students

Country: Rwanda

Help purchase a second-hand bus for high school students at a Salesian school in Rwanda

Date Added: July 15, 2021
Country: Rwanda

To purchase a small second-hand bus = $53,000.00

Project Information

From Rwanda

RWANDA: Funding ensures proper nutrition for students

Students provided with 3 daily meals so they can focus on their studies. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (June 5, 2023) Students attending Don Bosco Technical School in Gatenga, Rwanda, received nutritional support thanks to donor funding from S

INT’L DAY OF FAMILIES: Salesian Missions highlights programs for families in poverty

Programs support people facing poverty, lack of education, hunger and homelessness NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 15, 2023) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian and other internation

WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOR: Salesian Missions highlights programs to combat child labor

Salesian programs rescue children from labor and provide basic needs, education. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (June 12, 2022) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and the

INT’L DAY FOR STREET CHILDREN: Salesian programs support and educate street youth around the globe

Celebrated each year on April 12, the day raises awareness of issues affecting youth forced to live on the streets. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (April 12, 2022) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins

UNIVERSAL CHILDREN’S DAY: Salesian Missions highlights social and educational programs

With more than 5,500 Salesian educational institutions and youth centers, missionaries are educating children in some of the poorest places on the planet. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Nov. 20, 2021) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development ar

Addressing Hunger Around the World

Despite positive economic growth and recent improvements to quality of life, food insecurity and malnutrition remain stubborn adversaries in the fight against poverty and hunger in Rwanda—where more than 60 percent of the popula

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY: Salesian Missions highlights educational initiatives that help break the cycle of poverty

More than 5,500 Salesian educational institutions and youth centers educate children in some of the poorest places around the globe. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Oct. 17, 2021) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of

RWANDA: Donor funding from Salesian Missions provides nutritional support to youth

Youth attending programs at Don Bosco Gatenga Center receive nutritious food and an education. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Aug. 11, 2021) Don Bosco Gatenga Center, located in Kigali, Rwanda, has received donor funding from Salesian Missions

WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOR: Salesian programs combat child labor

Salesian Missions highlights educational and social programs that combat child labor. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (June 12, 2021) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS: Salesian Missions is proud to highlight Salesian programs that empower youth, giving them a sense of well-being and happiness

Programs in Italy, Lebanon, Peru and Rwanda highlight Salesian initiatives that educate and empower youth. NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 20, 2020) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanita

Funding Opportunities

in Rwanda

Agriculture Training Programs

Salesian Missions includes agriculture in its vocational training programs – to ensure that youth of Rwanda learn better agricultural practices as well as keep the school self-sustaining in the face of the country’s food shortages.

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Feed a Child

Salesian Missions includes agriculture in its vocational training programs – to ensure that youth of Rwanda learn better agricultural practices as well as keep the school self-sustaining in the face of the country’s food shortages.

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Technology Program

Salesian Missions includes agriculture in its vocational training programs – to ensure that youth of Rwanda learn better agricultural practices as well as keep the school self-sustaining in the face of the country’s food shortages.

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