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Rwanda

Compassion partnership began 1979

EST. 1979

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Muraho! When you arrive in Rwanda, you’ll be stepping into ‘The Land of a Thousand Hills’, named after its stunning mountains and valleys. As you move through the country, you’ll hear a mix of Kinyarwanda, French, English and Swahili. Your Rwandan neighbours are known for their commitment to peace and unity with one another.

Population

14 M

Capital city

Kigali

Local time

Current Weather

, 0°C

Distance to Australia

12,486 km
In Rwanda, many families live in rural areas and work hard in agriculture for a living, but this means income is fickle, and parents often struggle to provide food and medicine for their children. Across the country, children are battling high rates of illness and malnutrition.

Poverty in Rwanda

52%
of people live in extreme poverty
Over two thirds
of households rely on agriculture for their income
30%
of children under 5 experience growth stunting

Yet God's Church is on the move in Rwanda. Our local church partners are equipping families with practical skills like livestock rearing, tailoring and soapmaking to grow their income. Through targeted health education and medical support, children are now enjoying good health and the sound of playing and laughing is being restored!

Compassion in Rwanda

457
local church partners
118,637

children supported

1,645

babies and their mums supported

Impact in action

Emmanuel, Compassion graduate

Change is happening across Rwanda. Today, over 10,000 Compassion graduates across the country have united to give back. Emmanuel was empowered to become an ophthalmologist thanks to his sponsor and his local church. Now, he is providing eye screenings to improve children’s vision in the community he grew up in!

“My parents couldn’t afford to send me to school. My sponsors, the Miller family, not only provided me with school fees but unknowingly set me on my career path through their inspirational letters. It’s the love the Miller family showed me that meant I knew I wanted to give that gift to others.”
Emmanuel, Compassion graduate

Move with us in Rwanda

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Help end poverty for a child

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Pray that Rwanda will receive sufficient rainfall without the devastation of natural disasters.

Pray that God will help children experiencing malnutrition receive the support they need and recover quickly.

Pray for God’s comfort over Rwanda on 7 April, the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

Pray for stability for Rwanda's economy. Ask that families will be able to meet their needs.

Pray for God's protection amid diplomatic turmoil between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Pray for your neighbours

Join local churches in bringing these requests before God.

WATCH

WATCH

See the stories. Feel the impact. Move with compassion.

19 May 2022
Why Education is Key to Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
Compassion is committed to sustainable child development, so projects are always carried out as long-term collaborations with maximum community engagement. With deep roots in their communities, local churches are best placed to identify children’s needs and respond with solutions that change lives.

Read more

12 Apr 2022
Restored Hope Devotional: Day 2
God extended mercy towards us while we were still “dead in our transgressions”. We had made no attempt at reconciliation, done nothing to earn it, nothing to deserve it, nothing to warrant His love and mercy. Our restored eternal life is simply a work of God’s grace.

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29 Nov 2021
You Can Love Your Neighbour with One Small Act
Christ shared His love with us, now we can give that same gift to others. See how small acts of great love can rewrite the headlines in the lives of our neighbours.

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18 Nov 2021
Compassion's Commitment to Financial Stewardship
Wise financial stewardship is critical to effective development practices. When you give to Compassion Australia, you can be sure that your donation is used wisely and strategically, and always for the benefit of the children we serve.

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2 Mar 2020
Four Things You Didn't Know About Poverty
We’re used to hearing about the well-known effects of poverty—but are we missing the less-visible ones?

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28 Jan 2020
The Most Popular Baby Names Around the World
Every continent has its own customs and quirks, including baby names! Check out the most popular ones for children in child development centres across 25 countries—there’s a lot that can be revealed with just a name.

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16 Dec 2019
How to Choose a Child to Sponsor with Compassion
You’ve decided to release a child from poverty in Jesus’ name. It’s a fantastic decision; one that will change a child’s life and impact yours, too. But when it comes to choosing a child to sponsor, we’re often asked “How am I meant to choose?” Faced with hundreds of photos of children in need, the decision can feel overwhelming. If you need some guidance, here are seven ways you could choose your new sponsored child.

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11 Apr 2019
How Australian Charity– Compassion– Began in a Newcastle Lounge Room
From humble beginnings, Laurie McCowan built one of Australia’s largest charities. Here’s how he followed God’s prompting and left a legacy that will last into eternity.

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4 Apr 2019
His Family Was Killed in the Genocide. Today, He Helps the Perpetrator's Child
Jean Claude is one of Rwanda's incredible peacemakers. This Compassion alumni forgave the perpetrator who tortured and murdered his family during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi—and even provided for his son’s education.

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15 Nov 2018
How Do the Poor Get Trapped in Poverty?
Families can get trapped in poverty for generations. With your support, our holistic child development program is helping to break the cycle and give children a different future.

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18 Jul 2018
Born Missing Limbs, This is How Grace Lives Without Limits
Meet Grace, an 18-year-old girl with only one limb but with three important life lessons to share.

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6 Feb 2018
How One Remarkable Postman Encourages Sponsors on His Route
After discovering he was delivering sponsors' letters as a postman in Sydney, one Compassion beneficiary has a mission to encourage as many sponsors on his route as he can.

Read more

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Est. 2023

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Compassion Australia ABN 67 001 692 566. Authorised to fundraise in NSW (CFN/10658), VIC (FR0010734), QLD (CH1569), SA (CCP2632), TAS (F1A-208) and WA (20740). No authority to fundraise is required in the ACT or NT.