Sister Agnes – Butare (Rwanda)
PROJECT 28 of 72
MISSION
Place
Diocese
Butare
Nation
Rwanda
Continent
Africa
GPS coordinates
-2.60697 29.74359
Jet lag
UTC+2
CONGREGATION
Mother House
Huye
Diocese
Butare
Nation
Rwanda
Continent
Africa
Congregational celebration
Feast of Pentecost
GPS coordinates
-2.60697 29.74359
Jet lag
UTC+2
Contact person
Sister Agnes and Sister Esperance
Mother General
Sister Esperance Nyirasafari
TRAINING INSTITUTION
Place
Stiava (LU)
Nation
Italy
Continent
Europe
GPS coordinates
43.89840 10.31859
Jet lag
UTC+1
Start date
21/02/2022
End date
August 2022
Tutors
Emma Tommasi
REAL SPACE
Project manager
Sister Agnes and Sister Esperance
Start date
15 December 2022
Type
Bakery
Project
With support from spazio + spadoni, Sister Agnes has established a small bakery in Butare, producing bread and sweet baked goods for sale to local people. Part of the proceeds supports the religious community, while another part is donated to people in need. The activity has thus become a practical response to the severe poverty in the region. Its success led to a second small project in sewing and embroidery. Sister Agnes attended a course lasting several months and now also makes liturgical vestments.
Sister Agnes arrives in Italy on 21 February 2022 and is welcomed enthusiastically by the Misericordia di Stiava. The village’s small size helps her settle into the community. Various local organisations offer her a wide range of training opportunities. She improves her Italian through lessons with volunteers, attends courses in baking, sewing and first aid, and explores the area’s main places of interest.
On 22 August 2022, Sister Agnes returns to Rwanda, to the Diocese of Butare. Butare is a town of almost 90,000 inhabitants. The Sisters of the Dwelling of Charity work in this area, which faces difficult social and economic conditions. Their main activities include educating children and young people, welcoming and training women through vocational courses, and providing medical assistance.
Read more Monsignor Blaise Forissier
Timeline
2021
03.02 | Partnership begins
The Congregation joins the HIC SUM project.
2022
21.02 | Sister’s arrival
Sister Agnes arrives in Italy and is immediately welcomed by the Misericordia di Stiava.
03-04-05 | Training
Sister Agnes takes part in various training sessions and specific courses in first aid, baking, cutting and sewing, and the Works of Mercy.
06-09.06 | Training
Technical HIC SUM project training at the Convento di San Cerbone (LU).
22.08 | Sister’s departure
Sister Agnes returns to Butare, Rwanda.
15.12 | First funding disbursed
The funding is intended to purchase an oven, a refrigerator and a generator.
2023
February | Sales begin
Sister Agnes begins selling the products she makes.
20.09 | Second funding disbursed
The funding is intended to pay for the sewing course.
October | Training
Using the proceeds from sales of the Social Enterprise’s products, the Congregation decides to support further training in sewing and embroidery for Sister Agnes.
November | spazio + spadoni meets the sisters in Rwanda
During a missionary trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Selene travels to Butare and Rwamagana in Rwanda to meet and greet Sister Agnes, Sister Esperance and Sister Luminatha.
2025
04.05 | Works of Mercy with volunteers
Sister Agnes and the volunteers regularly carry out apostolate at Kabutare Hospital.
10.06 | Works of Mercy with volunteers
Sister Agnes and the volunteers regularly carry out apostolate at Kabutare Hospital.
08.10 | Third funding disbursed
The funding is intended to expand the catering activity already run by the sisters.
18.10 | Works of Mercy with volunteers
Sister Agnes and the volunteers regularly carry out apostolate at the hospital.
23.11 | Volunteers’ celebration in Rwamagana
A delegation from the volunteer groups in Butare travels to Rwamagana for the celebration organised by Sister Luminatha’s volunteers.
Project evaluations
All evaluations
- April 2022
The Congregation presents the Social Enterprise project to spazio + spadoni. - May 2022
The Social Enterprise project consists of establishing a small bakery. - December 2022
The results of Sister Agnes’s project are discussed with Sister Esperance, the Congregation’s General Bursar, who is in Italy for a course on the Works of Mercy promoted by spazio + spadoni. - June 2023
Sister Esperance reports on the progress of the Social Enterprise. - July 2023
Monitoring. - January 2024
Online monitoring of the project.
Photos and videos
