Evangelical charity overcomes divisions and the culture of violence to build a new societyKigali (FIDES Agency) – “Charity is the instrument to overcome the hate and divisions that still attack the country and we offer an important contribution to this end”, declares Mrs. Grace Mukabyagaju, President of the National Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Rwanda.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is composed of people from every region of the country and our activities also attract members from non-Catholic churches. Our principle activities are hospital visits and help to school aged children.
Every day we provide food to the indigent sick and to patients who do not have families. In the hospital in Kigali, the Capital, our activities are most appreciated and our members receive help for this activity from Protestants and Muslims, who are motivated by charity to provide help to those who are suffering.
When referring to our work with schools there are many children who have been orphaned as a result of the violence of past few years. Many of these children and young people, if left to their own devices, are in danger of falling into delinquency. We have created an education project for these children in order to get them off the streets. We offer them economic assistance and educate them in peace and reconciliation. With this in mind, we have created a commission to animate spirituality with the goal of creating a spirit of peace, justice and charity.
We also help refugees, who have fled from the persecutions of the past few years, toresettle. We give these refugees, especially widows, help to rebuild their houses. We also help rural communities with agricultural and animal husbandry projects.
Source: http://www.ozanet.org/english/0720032.htm#Development
