AVSI Rwanda

🎤 "Before, we didn't own any land. Today, thanks to the income generated through farming and livestock activities, we have been able to purchase our own plot and plan for our family's future." -TUYIRINGIRE Eliab

🎤"The project helped me regain confidence, improve my livelihood, and feel included in my community again." - MACUMI Jacques

These are just two of the many testimonies shared during the Capitalization and Knowledge Sharing Session, held by in Gicumbi District on 16–17 June 2026.

The event brought together 148 participants, including smallholder farmers, adolescent mothers, people living with mental health conditions, community volunteers, farmer promoters, district authorities, and staff, to reflect on the project's achievements, understand what contributed to the results, and discuss how lessons learned can continue benefiting other communities.

Funded by the European Union in Rwanda, the Kungahara Muhinzi project is implemented by AVSI Rwanda in , , and Districts to strengthen food and security, improve , and promote the of vulnerable groups.

Through sustainable agriculture, livelihood support, and community-based approaches, the project has also created opportunities for adolescent mothers and people living with mental health conditions to participate more actively in economic and social life.

Protecting the starts with promoting cleaner and more sustainable ways of meeting everyday energy needs.

To support this goal, recently carried out a technical field visit in Ruhango District, meeting local authorities and visiting schools, cooperatives, and families involved in and activities.

The visit was an opportunity to see firsthand how these initiatives are improving people's lives, while also listening to community members about the benefits they are experiencing and the challenges that still need to be addressed.

By engaging directly with local stakeholders, Rwanda continues to strengthen its commitment to expanding access to clean and sustainable energy solutions that support healthier households, protect the environment, and create new opportunities for communities.

What makes a child feel safe?

For Kevin, in , it is a place where he can play, sing, and learn together with his classmates.

For Clarence, in , it means having teachers who care for him and a playground where he can spend time with his friends.

For Princesse, in , it is a space where she can express herself through drawing and develop her creativity.

For Immaculate, in , it means feeling part of a family and a school where every day she can learn, make friends, spend time with her teachers, and enjoy a good meal.

On the occasion of the , we are sharing their stories and drawings. Across Africa, AVSI supports schools, educational centres, and programmes that provide children with learning opportunities, meaningful relationships, and environments where they feel welcomed, valued, and safe.

What does it take for a young mother to rebuild her life after facing stigma and rejection?

In Rwanda, adolescent mothers are finding hope through psychosocial support, vocational training, and community solidarity. Projects like Humura Shenge funded by Support International e.V. helping girls regain confidence, care for their children, and build sustainable livelihoods. 💪👩‍

👉 Read their inspiring stories: https://bit.ly/4unhmrX

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Supporting adolescent mothers to rebuild their lives in Rwanda | AVSI Supporting girls to care for their children and believe in themselves again

Supporting girls to make informed choices starts within their own communities in the places where they grow, learn, and should feel safe, supported, and protected.

For this reason, AVSI Rwanda, through the project supported by Support International e.V. , organized community dialogues with members of Umuryango Remezo groups to raise awareness about preventing unintended pregnancies among students and strengthening the role of families in adolescent well-being.

During the sessions, women and men from the community discussed the project's objectives and explored how parents, caregivers, and community members can create a supportive environment where young people feel comfortable seeking guidance and discussing the challenges they face.

To sustain these efforts, participants committed to meeting every Thursday to continue raising awareness and promoting open conversations with students and families, helping build stronger and more protective communities for adolescents.

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At GS Nyinawimana School in District, the Humura Shenge project has created a safe space where adolescent girls and boys can come together to learn, share experiences, and discuss important topics affecting their lives.

Making the most of this space, the school’s Gender Club, a student-led group that promotes gender equality, positive relationships, and life skills, organized discussions, dance, and drama performances to raise awareness about preventing unintended pregnancies and making informed choices for the future.

Through these activities, students reflected on self-confidence, respect, personal goals, and healthy decision-making, while encouraging one another to resist negative peer pressure and seek guidance from trusted adults when needed.

This project is supported by Support International e.V. and implemented by AVSI Rwanda.

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Ku Rwunge rw’amashuri rwa GS Nyinawimana mu Karere ka Gicumbi District, umushinga Humura Shenge wateguwe ubukangurambaga ku abangavu hagamijwe ku kuganira ku bibazo bitandukanye bibareba mu buzima bwabo bwa buri munsi.

Binyuze muri Gender Club y’iri shuri, igizwe n’abanyeshuri igamije guteza imbere uburinganire, imibanire myiza n’ubumenyi ngiro bw’ubuzima, yateguye ibiganiro, imbyino n’udukino tw’ikinamico bigamije gukangurira urubyiruko kwirinda inda zitateganyijwe no gufata ibyemezo byiza bibafasha kubaka ejo hazaza habo.

Binyuze muri ibi bikorwa, abanyeshuri baganiriye ku kamaro ko kwigirira icyizere, kubahana, kugira intego z’ubuzima no gufata ibyemezo byubaka, banashishikarizanya kwirinda igitutu cy’urungano no kugisha inama abantu bakuru bizeye igihe bibaye ngombwa.

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“Before joining this project, I did not believe in myself. Now, I have skills, I can make products, and I feel proud of what I can do,” shared one of the youths supported through the project.

Recently, AVSI Rwanda, in partnership with the Rwanda Organization of Women with Disabilities, brought together government institutions, private sector representatives, and key stakeholders for a National Coordination Meeting held in Kigali to discuss challenges affecting persons with intellectual disabilities and explore practical solutions.

Discussions focused on barriers to inclusive education, employment, and social inclusion, while emphasizing the importance of adapted learning materials, inclusive opportunities, and stronger support systems.

Participants also visited vocational activities where youth with intellectual disabilities showcased handmade products and shared inspiring stories the project is helping them gain practical skills, build confidence, and strengthen social connection

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AVSI Rwanda ku bufatanye n’Ishyirahamwe ry’abagore Bafite Ubumuga mu Rwanda, bahuje hamwe inzego za Leta, abahagarariye urwego rw’abikorera, ndetse n’abafatanyabikorwa batandukanye mu nama y’igihugu y’ubuhuzabikorwa yabereye i Kigali, hagamijwe kuganira ku bibazo byugarije aban bafite ubumuga bwo mu mutwe bukora ku bwenge ndetse no gushakira hamwe ibisubizo.

Ibiganiro byibanze ku mbogamizi zibangamira uburezi budaheza, kubona akazi, no kugira uruhare mu mibereho rusange, hanashimangirwa akamaro ko kubona ibikoresho by’imyigire biboneye, amahirwe adaheza, ndetse no gushimangira uburyo bwo kubashyigikira.

Abitabiriye iyo nama banasuye ibikorwa by’imyuga aho urubyiruko rufite ubumuga bwo mu mutwe bukora ku bwenge rwerekanye ibintu bikozwe n’amaboko yabo ndetse rusangiza abandi inkuru zitanga icyizere zigaragaza uburyo umushinga uri kubafasha kubona ubumenyi ngiro, kwigirira icyizere no gukomeza kubaka imibanire myiza n’abandi.

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In , Nyanza District ,and districts, AVSI Rwanda recently held a 5 day training on cooperative management under the , funded by the .

Trainers worked closely with cooperative representatives and agricultural group committees to strengthen governance and support them on their journey toward legal recognition.

This training is helping farmers organize better, make stronger decisions, and improve their livelihoods.

However, they also recognize challenges such as limited resources, coordination gaps, and the long process of formal registration. Despite this, the commitment from communities remains strong and inspiring.

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Mu turere twa Nyanza District, na , AVSI Rwanda iherutse gutegura amahugurwa yamaze iminsi 5 ku micungire y’amakoperative mu mushinga wa Kungahara Muhinzi uterwa inkunga n’European Union.

Abatanze amahugurwa bakoranye bya hafi n’abahagarariye amakoperative ndetse na komite z’amatsinda y’abahinzi hagamijwe gushimangira imiyoborere no kubafasha mu rugendo rwo kugera ku iyandikwa ryemewe n’amategeko.

Aya mahugurwa arimo gufasha abahinzi kurushaho kwishyira hamwe, gufata ibyemezo bikomeye, no guteza imbere imibereho yabo.

Gusa kandi, bazi ko hakiri imbogamizi zirimo ubushobozi buke bw’ibikoresho n’amikoro, icyuho mu guhuza ibikorwa, ndetse n’igihe bisaba kugira ngo amakoperative yandikwe mu buryo bwemewe. Nubwo bimeze bityo, ubushake n’ubwitange bw’abaturage bikomeje kugaragara kandi bitanga icyizere.

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In district , Musambira Sector , AVSI Rwanda, through the Support Program, provided livestock to 63 families to help strengthen their health, education, and household resilience. 🐐🐓🐇

Parents received goats or pigs to support family health needs, especially (Mutuelle de Santé), while children received chickens or rabbits to help with school-related expenses.

Before receiving the animals, families were trained on proper , , , and management to help them improve productivity and care for the animals responsibly.

Beyond receiving livestock, families are building hope, strengthening livelihoods, and creating better opportunities for their children.

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Mu karere ka Kamonyi murenge wa Musambira, AVSI Rwanda binyuze muri gahunda ya , yahaye imiryango 63 amatungo agamije gufasha kongera ubuzima bwiza, guteza imbere uburezi no kongerera ubushobozi imiryango bwo kwigira no guhangana n’ibibazo. 🐐🐓🐇


Ababyeyi bahawe ihene cyangwa ingurube kugira ngo bibafashe kwita ku buzima bw’umuryango, cyane cyane mu kwishyura ubwisungane mu kwivuza (Mutuelle de Santé), mu gihe abana bahawe inkoko cyangwa inkwavu kugira ngo bibafashe mu kubona ibikenerwa bijyanye n’amashuri.

Mbere yo guhabwa ayo matungo, imiryango yabanje guhabwa amahugurwa ku buryo bwo kwita ku matungo, kuyagaburira neza, kuyavura no kuyacunga mu buryo buboneye kugira ngo yongere umusaruro kandi yitabweho neza.

Uretse guhabwa amatungo, iyi miryango iri kubaka icyizere cy’ejo hazaza, kongera imibereho myiza no guha amahirwe atandukanye abana babo.

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In District, farmers, local leaders, and partners came together to reflect on the progress of the Kungahara Muhinzi project.

Beyond meetings and discussions, the visit created space to listen directly to farmers about the changes happening in their lives and the challenges they still face.

Through training, savings groups, and improved farming practices, many farmers are now increasing harvests, protecting their soils, starting small businesses, and supporting their families with school materials, school feeding, and mutuelle de sante.

At the same time, communities shared concerns about climate change, especially heavy rains and hailstorms that damaged crops, as well as limited storage facilities for produce like potatoes.

The project implemented by AVSI Rwanda with support from the European Union. Representatives from Ministry of Agriculture and Animal , Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board also participated.

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Mu Karere ka , abahinzi, abayobozi b’inzego z’ibanze n’abafatanyabikorwa bahuriye hamwe baganira ku ntambwe imaze guterwa n’umushinga wa Kungahara Muhinzi.

Uretse inama n’ibiganiro, uru ruzinduko rwatanze umwanya wo kumva mu buryo burambuye abahinzi, bagaragaza impinduka zimaze kugaragara mu buzima bwabo n’ibibazo bagihura na byo.

Binyuze mu mahugurwa, amatsinda yo kwizigamira, ndetse no gukoresha uburyo bugezweho bwo guhinga, abahinzi benshi ubu barimo kubona umusaruro wiyongera, kurinda ubutaka bwabo isuri, gutangiza imishinga mito ibyara inyungu, no gufasha imiryango yabo kubona ibikoresho by’ishuri, ifunguro ry’abanyeshuri ndetse na mituweli.

Icyo gihe kandi, abaturage bagaragaje ibibazo bijyanye n’imihindagurikire y’ibihe, cyane cyane imvura nyinshi n’urubura byangije imyaka, ndetse n’ibura ry’aho kubika umusaruro cyane cyane ibirayi.

Uyu mushinga ushyirwa mu bikorwa na AVSI Rwanda ku nkunga y’Umuryango w’Ubumwe bw’u Burayi (European Union). Abahagarariye Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources ndetse na Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board na bo bitabiriye.

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