Leaders of faith-based organizations have lauded World Vision Rwanda’s partnership towards promoting the well-being of children in various parts of Rwanda.

World Vision's partnership with churches is grounded in a shared commitment to serving the most vulnerable children and families in Rwanda and the World.

Pauline Okumu, the World Vision Rwanda National Director commended the Faith leaders for their instrumental partnership with World Vision, and their support in advancing the organization’s mission of improving the well-being of vulnerable children especially spiritually.

"At World Vision, we believe that our work is not just about, providing material support to the communities we serve, but also about nurturing the spiritual and moral dimensions of human life. We recognize the important role that faith-based institutions play in shaping the values, beliefs, and practices of individuals and communities. This is why we work closely with faith leaders like you to create a more just, and compassionate world that is holistically empowered not only economically but spiritually too,” said Okumu.

"Let the Children Come” (LCC), is one of World Vision’s projects implemented through partnership with the church. LCC reaches out to children of seven to 11 years, and adolescents of 12-17 years, aiming at making them know they are loved by God and their neighbors, cared for, protected as well as empowered to participate in the decisions that affect their lives.

The five-year project facilitates faith-based institutions in spiritual nurture programs that promote children’s participation in Sunday /Sabbath schools, Bible clubs, and national and community level events, as well as helping churches and key stakeholders to have access to spiritual nurture materials.

It also provides positive-parenting sensitization to parents and caregivers and puts effort into addressing the causes of family instabilities, fighting malnutrition and stunting, and drug abuse, among other programs.

Speaking about the project, Senior Pastor Isaie Ndayizeye, the lead pastor of ADEPR churches in Rwanda, said one of the things that they are happy about, is that it has increased the availability of teaching aids needed to educate the children.

"Availing teaching aids is one of the things for which we thank World Vision. The teaching aids give lessons that are relevant for different types of children including those with disabilities or those who come from families that were affected by divorce,” he noted.

Bishop Jolly Murenzi, who leads a Church Umbrella known as National Unity Fellowship for Pentecostal Christian Churches in Rwanda ( NUF), praised World Vision "for seeing the potential of the church” in promoting the development of the spiritual nurture and education of the child.

She hinted at the importance of training people when they are still young.

"When you try to transform a mature person, it is hard but when you begin with children, when they grow up, they will not abandon the faith,” she said.

World Vision Rwanda’s National Director, Pauline Okumu, said the organization’s partnership with faith-based institutions has been very instrumental in advancing its mission for improving the well-being of vulnerable children and families around the world.

"Together we have been able and we continue to address the root causes of poverty, injustice, and violence and promote greater social cohesion and harmony. I think we have seen that in the past in the area of Covid-19, in the area of HIV/AIDs, in the area of other sectoral importance to the society just through the partnership with faith-based institutions,” she noted.

World Vision USA President and CEO, Edgar Sandoval, told Rwandan religious leaders that they not only work together in the local context but are part of the global movement.

"You should know that with your partnership, around the world 2.8 million children go through Christian discipleship programs,” he noted.

Rwanda Governance Board CEO, Usta Kaitesi, appreciated World Vision for their work in support of children.

"World Vision is a good partner to Rwanda and churches as it gives support through different projects such as in education, Child Sponsorship, Health and Nutrition, Water Sanitation, and Hygiene, all in line with developing the social welfare of Rwandans. Thank you World Vision for having the vision that you have in terms of building children that live life in all its fullness,” she said.

She asked for more efforts in tackling stunting and malnutrition, as she highlighted that many districts in Rwanda have 30 percent or more of their children affected by stunting.

World Vision also supports churches by providing resources and capacity building to help them better serve their communities.