On May 11-12, 2019, 105 members of different branches of the Vincentian Family and their delegates gathered in Kigali for a conference on the Famvin Homeless Alliance (FHA).
The event took place at the Provincial House of the Daughters of Charity. Two Vincentians from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) also joined to understand better the 13 Houses Campaign.
For many of them, it was the first time they heard about the FHA and the 13 Houses. For others, our conference in Rwanda was an opportunity to learn more about it. We considered the 13 Houses Campaign and its connections with systemic change.
We discussed different projects through workshops, and we came up with a common proposal of Famvin-Rwanda for the Campaign. We plan to build 12 houses within 3 years for homeless people, including 5 for survivors of the genocide perpetrated against the Tutsis, 5 houses damaged by heavy rains, and 2 for poor families living on the streets.
We also set up a technical team for monitoring and implementation. Our national Commission for Systemic Change will rework this project before submitting it to the Coordination Office of Famvin Rwanda (Bucofamvin) for approval and the possible takeoff of works by the end of 2019.
All the participants committed to giving themselves to the homeless by improving their services and financially contributing to the success of this important project.
May Saint Vincent de Paul intercede for us all!
Fr. Henri Matsinga, CM
FHA Ambassador