COVID-19 appeal

As COVID-19 hit the UK, the Trust sent out an appeal and the response was humbling, raising almost £20,000 for the Bishop to use at his discretion. He initially bought and distributed food to individuals, as food became scarce and expensive. This allowed some immediate transitional help to people while they wait for their own fields to crop. To get churches open sooner, the Bishop also spent money on government hygiene requirements. The impact of getting churches open as soon as possible will allow spiritual support for congregations to restart and allow pastors to receive some income. (In Rwanda, pastors take a percentage of the collection unlike here in the UK.)

Some of the donations were collected through JustGiving and you can donate at: JustGiving Coronavirus Appeal

Support for Dufatanye

During the year, GrassRoots Rwanda subsumed a smaller charity with their own supporters, called Dufatanye, and some money was raised for them alongside the appeal for the Diocese. To the money sent out, they responded: 'We know that, thousands of people in this country are facing staggering unemployment thus finding themselves without access to food, hygiene supplies or health care. Many families are facing great

uncertainty about their long-term financial and physical safety, leading to trauma and emotional distress, substance abuse and domestic violence. But in these challenging times, we find inspiration in your compassion to get urgently needed food where it is needed.'

If you'd like to donate to the Dufatanye appeal, you can do so here: JustGiving Dufatanye Appeal

Supporting families in need

Donations of small amounts of £100 to £300 have been sent to people the Trust knows personally, such as teachers in diocesan schools, and pastors; for them and those around them. Such people have received no income for four months, with no immediate change in view – and don’t have reserves to cover such emergencies.

While the Trust is cautious about such a narrow and scattergun approach, the impact made to those families has been significant in allowing them to buy food, reducing stress, and reminding them that they are not forgotten. One recipient responded: 'I and my whole family are deeply indebted to you, and every trustee for always being there for us. May God bless you. I have collected the money safely. I assure you to use it wisely and fight against the issues of hunger in my family.'

To donate to our general fund to help us support all our giving, please click here: Shyogwe Diocese Main Fund

Reconciling relationships

GrassRoots Rwanda has supported the important work of reconciliation, led by Archdeacon Edward, in bringing together victims and perpetrators of violence who have recently been released from prison after their 25-year sentences. This is at the opposite end of the scale to the COVID-19 help. A small amount has been sent, just £1,000, but they have already seen the impact of this work. It was wonderful to see these people working and worshipping together, but of course the impact of repaired relationships, reduced tension, co-operation between victim and persecutor will carry on for years; and we pray it will impact on future generations as well.

The picture is of victims and persecutors working together in the fields – which would have been unthinkable before the Archdeacon’s intervention. For such a small amount, this targeted project could have the greatest impact of any of the support we provide.

What's next ... ?

As all visits to Rwanda have stopped for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19, but GrassRoots Rwanda would like to thank all of you who have supported them in different ways. The Trust would not exist without your support. Whether you give regularly, or sporadically, the Trust cannot do anything in Rwanda without your help. You are all the lifeblood of the Trust.

But of course, what the Trust does with your money is important. Everything that you give, including the related Gift Aid, goes to Rwanda. The trustees cover the administrative costs personally (e.g. bank transfer costs, monthly fees to use JustGiving, the cost of setting up and maintaining the website among others).

Peter says: 'It is easy to measure outputs such as paying for a flight for diocesan staff, or setting up a tree nursery, or building a health post, but it's much harder to measure outcomes. That is, what has been the outcome of the spending – what is the impact? With little impact, the money has been wasted, irrespective of how ‘worthy’ the project.'

He continues: 'This is the first time we have tried to gauge the impact of how your money has been spent on just a few projects. I would want to do more of this type of analysis in future years. Our next visit has been pencilled in for October 2021. But we do not know if that will be permitted, or just plain reckless! We will need to take travel advice later. But the need does not stop with the visits, and indeed the need increases as COVID-19 spreads through sub-Saharan Africa.

'We will continue to correspond with our friends in Shyogwe and consider the impact of our work on both existing and future projects. The work of a new health post at Gasharu has started, and we are considering a new project around sponsoring children for nursery schools, but more of both of those later.

'As Chairman, I thank you again for your support, as does the whole Trustee Board who continue to meet regularly via Zoom. We will be in touch again soon.

May God bless you and those you love.'

Peter Muir

Chairman

To find out more about GrassRoots Rwanda and our work, or to make a donation, please visit: www.grassrootsrwanda.com