achievements

Centre César

The community centre opened its doors officially on June 23, 2005 under the presidency of Mr. Tito Rutaremara, Ombudsman of the Republic of Rwanda, and of several other dignitaries. The needs of the community soon outgrew the centre. A new location was found and from January 2007 to December 2009 there was better space to maintain and develop the programs aimed at bringing self sufficiency. However since the house was rented, we had to find a more reliable solution. That is when Marcelle Forestier a generous benefactor from Toronto helped acquire some land and put the money forward to build our own Center. Thanks to The Buchan Family Foundation from Toronto and Roncalli International, it has been possible to have cupboards built and acquire much needed furniture. Since January 2010 Centre César now has more space to accommodate substantial growth. Each week, the Centre welcomes on the average 85 who participate in the different training programs: sewing, handicraft auto mechanic and electricity, traditional singing and dancing and silk screening. They also use the different services such as the medical clinic, and the food bank. During evenings and week end, the young people of the Visionaries group hold their meetings and activities.

School sponsorship

The Ubuntu sponsorship program has been in existence since the early days of the organization. Since the first benefit dinner in 2005 and following the airing of the documentary "Femmes seules/Woman Alone" on CBC/Radio Canada, there has been a strong increase in interest towards this program. Consequently, the number of children sponsored has grown exponentially. From 5 children at the start in 2005, 26 had the chance to be sponsored in 2006. In 2010 we count 142 children sponsored in primary school as well as 133 adolescents in secondary grades. There are still 26 students in secondary grades awaiting sponsors.

For further information, or if you have any questions, please contact: Normand Doyon Volunteer Director Education Program

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Daycare

In Rwanda, there are very few daycare programs, and those that do exist are usually run by religious organisations. In 2007, Ubuntu launched a daycare program with the goal of helping mothers as well as for preparing young children for their eventual entry into school. The official opening of the daycare took place at the beginning of March. This daycare is situated at the heart of the mudugudu (the name given to the part of the village of Kimironko that was built by the government for widows of the genocide). In 2006, Ubuntu constructed a small building with the intention of using it as a chicken coop. Unfortunately, the restrictions set by the government following the avian bird flu inhibited the project from going forward. The building was subsequently transformed into the daycare centre. In February of 2007, the building was completely renovated and transformed into the daycare center, allowing the Centre Cesar to offer this service to the community. Since opening, the daycare has welcomed thirty children ranging from ages one to six, cared for by a dynamic team consisting of four Rwandan workers.

Sewing cooperative

In 2006 a master-tailor was hired to oversee and teach the widows how to make school uniforms for the sponsored children. African-style shirts are also produced and sold in Canada. The sewing cooperative continues to obtain contracts to make different uniforms and clothing.

Handicraft, knitting, and embroidery groups

Many original products are handcrafted by the women from these groups. The revenues from the sale of these items correspond to their income. By purchasing some products, you support these widows in reaching financial autonomy and thereby recover their dignity.

Food bank

Rice, corn flour, sorghum flour, manioc flour, sugar, beans, and iodized salt are handed out to the most needy each month. Eggs, oil, and powdered milk are also offered to women and children with AIDS and to old grandmothers. Thanks to the community garden, vegetables can now be added to the items distributed through the food bank.

Professional training

The first training in auto mechanics was given to a group of 12 youths in 2009 and a second group began in February 2010 with 14. A training class has also started in electricity at beginning of May with 14 youth including 4 girls. The financial contributions of Evelyn Goodall from Calgary, of Roncalli International as well as College Louis Riel from Winnipeg facilitated the establishment of those training and getting the necessary basic equipment.

Medical consultation clinic

Thanks to Tom Yearwood, benefactor from British Columbia, since September 2007, the community Center offers medical help. Dr. Tom Mushi gives medical exams and also visits the sick people in the village. He also gives workshops on different subjects related to health issues.  The services given by Pierre Nkiko, a young blind massage therapist, are in constant demand.

The Visionaries Group (VG)

The Visionaries Group was established in 2009 in Kigali-Rwanda, with the aim of supporting worldwide youth to increase the culture of helping their communities using their knowledge and their talents.

Why Visionaries began in Rwanda?
Rwanda is a country where the Tutsi Genocide happened in 1994, when more than a million people were killed because of their ethnic group “Tutsi”. Youth were especially used to execute those killings. Therefore, youth have to recover from what happened and be active in rebuilding a new Rwanda of peace. That is why, Visionaries prepared an annual memorial sites tour, to remember those who were killed, support the survivors and teach Rwandan society by theaters, songs, poems, documentaries, etc., ways to live in a country without separation.

VISION
The Visionaries Group envisions a world where all the youth will be communicating for peace and community building. Today, The Visionaries has grown from an idea to a global organization with the participation of hundreds of youth from Rwanda, from a few African countries and a few Canadian Cities (Winnipeg, Montreal and Quebec).

MISSION
The Visionaries Group prepares young people to be peace makers, good patriots and engaged citizens.

ACTIVITIES
The activities of The Visionaries group are organized in collaboration with its sponsor Ubuntu and with the widows of Centre César. Centre César is the Community Center of the village of Imana from where most orphans come.

Help orphans to take professional courses
At present, two professional courses in auto mechanic and in electricity have been put in place by Ubuntu and many Visionaries attend them.

Help orphans to go to University
The Visionaries have requested sponsorship for university fees. At the present time a young man and a young woman have received money for this year’s tuition.

Support orphans during April commemoration events
Last April a group of 10 Visionaries supported two orphans who have organized funerals for parents that the bodies were found during the year.

Create links with youth outside Rwanda
Contacts have been made with youth from Burundi and Tanzania. Students from two colleges came to Rwanda to do humanitarian work for the widows of the Imena village. They have exchanged ideas with the VG and established contacts. Another group is scheduled to come in March 2011.

Through the participation of the coordinator of the VG, links have been established with young Americans and Canadians during a workshop on Human rights given by Global Youth Connect. The results include new volunteers for Ubuntu who are organizing benefit events in Edmonton, Toronto, and Ottawa.

Inganzo Youth Films
The Visionaries group has created a small video company that is in the process of obtaining its corporate papers as a non profit organization. To this day, five videos (between 8 to 12 minutes each) have been produced. One is on Youtube called "From dream to reality"; one is on the Rwandan youth; two are on Centre César and its programs. The latest one is on the Rwandan culture and will be offered to the President of Rwanda.