Project Name
Karongi Church Empowerment Zone
Project Location
Rwanda
Project Natures
- Church and Community Mobilisation
- Livelihood Development
Project Objectives
Through training and other means, build up local churches to bear united witness in their communities, serving the vulnerable groups in their areas and fulfilling Integral Mission.
Beneficiaries
Local church leaders and vulnerable groups (including malnourished children and impoverished farmers).
No. of Beneficiaries
10,362
Key Activities
- Church Mobilisation: Provide comprehensive training to local churches and enhance the functions of the Church Network Committee, enabling Integral Mission to be practised in various communities.
- Economic Development: Establish savings groups and offer financial management training to participants.
- Strengthening Family Function: Conduct Bible-based family group training, fostering healthy families by building strong marital relationships.
Project Period
Oct 2023 to Sep 2025
Expenses
Approx. HK$323,000
IMPACT STORY
Vestine and her husband have three children and make a living by farming their two-acre plot of land (each acre typically yields five kilograms of beans per season). In Vestine’s community, a church participating in CEDAR’s partner-initiated ‘Community Church Network’ sent church leaders and members to learn how to increase agricultural yields, manage savings and microloan groups, and improve marital and family relationships. The church also organised visits to impoverished families in the community to understand their needs. Through the church, Vestine learned to use appropriate fertilisers, select suitable seeds, and improve her farming methods, ultimately increasing her yield from five kilograms of beans per acre to forty kilograms per acre.
In addition to learning efficient farming methods, the church encouraged Vestine to learn about savings and family financial management through Savings for Life (SFL). SFL is a faith-based resource management course. Through SFL, Vestine and other women in the village formed a savings and microloan group, learning how to save money, repay loans, manage budgets, and develop small businesses. After developing a savings habit, Vestine took her first loan of 15,000 Rwandan Francs (approximately HK$150) from the group to buy a pig, which she later sold for 80,000 Rwandan Francs (approximately HK$490) after fattening it up. Later, Vestine took another loan of 110,000 Rwandan Francs (approximately HK$670) from the group, combined it with her savings, and bought a cow for 300,000 Rwandan Francs (approximately HK$1,800). The cow not only assisted with farming but also provided manure as fertiliser, further increasing her yields.
Vestine is now planning her third loan to buy potato and vegetable seeds. She hopes to grow a variety of foods to improve her family’s diet and nutrition. Vestine’s story demonstrates how CEDAR’s partners and churches respond to the needs of impoverished families through practical actions.
PARTNER INFORMATION
Partner Name
World Relief Rwanda (WRR)
Year of establishment
1994
The Year Our Partnership Started
2015
Partner's Mission
Together with local churches, transform the most disadvantaged economically, socially and spiritually.
donation method
(Please specify: ‘Development & Advocacy’)
After donation, please send a completed Donation Form, enclosing with cheque, bank-in slip or screenshot of successful payment along with your name, contact phone number and mailing address to us via mail, email or WhatsApp.
Address: CEDAR Fund, G.P.O. Box 3212, Hong Kong
Email: sharing@cedarfund.org
WhatsApp (for donation matters only): 5160 7549
- CEDAR is an approved charitable institution and trust of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please visit Inland Revenue Department website for details.
- CEDAR Fund will issue a receipt for a donation of HK$100 or above for tax deduction. For a donation of less than HK$100, please get in touch with us to issue a receipt.
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