Presented in Rwanda since 1995, in the aftermath of the genocide, FXB began its activities as an international NGO. Become a local organization in 2012, FXB Rwanda is now the preferred partner of FXB Switzerland in the country. Together, they work towards the sustainable improvement of living conditions and strengthening the autonomy of the most vulnerable communities.
Context
Rwanda remains very marked by the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, during which nearly one million people were massacred. The Rwandan Patriotic Front has gradually restored order and security. He is one of the few countries that has been able to achieve most of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. This has led to progress in reducing poverty, education and HIV prevalence.
Despite these successes, Rwanda is still a very poor country, facing major development challenges. Chronic malnutrition, poor infrastructure, early childhood development, infant mortality or quality education require sustained attention.
Our action in Rwanda
1.The FXBVillage Model: A Comprehensive Approach to Surviving Extreme Poverty
The FXBVillage economic and community development model is implemented in Gisagara, Kamonyi, Nyaruguru and Nyarugenge districts.
More than 7,000 adults and children benefit from comprehensive and degressive support to meet their basic needs, develop their capacities and build progressively sustainable economic and social autonomy.
For 36 months, families receive personalized support that simultaneously addresses the different dimensions of extreme poverty: food, health, education, housing and income, while integrating child protection and capacity building.
Training in entrepreneurship and financial management, seed capital in the form of grants and support for the development and diversification of income-generating activities enable them to gradually build their economic autonomy. At the same time, the programme facilitates their access to essential services and assists them in the exercise of their fundamental rights.
Families also join Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA). These groups strengthen their ability to save, access credit and deal with unforeseen events, while developing local solidarity mechanisms.
The programme pays particular attention to equality between women and men. It strengthens women's skills, access to economic opportunities and participation in decision-making within families and communities. Raising awareness of gender equality and the prevention of domestic and sexual violence complement this support and promote recognition of their leadership.
Resilience and adaptation to climate change are also part of the programme. Families and communities are made aware of environmental risks and supported in adopting appropriate practices to protect their health, resources and livelihoods.
Regularly evaluated by independent external bodies, the FXBVillage model has shown lasting improvements in the living conditions of families, including income, food security, health and schooling.
Beyond these results, FXBVillage is a transformational path: families regain confidence in their abilities, become actors of their future and can better protect their children and invest in their education. By combining resources, skills and power to act, the model prepares them for further development beyond the programme and helps to break the intergenerational cycle of extreme poverty.
2.Linking local regenerative agriculture and school feeding
In the Magagere sector, Nyarugenge district, FXB Rwanda and Solid'Africa join their expertise to improve school nutrition for children while strengthening the income of rural families.
The FESM project (Farmers Empowerment and School Meals) supports 300 households benefiting from FXBVillage programmes in the cultivation of vegetables for school meals. Thanks to regenerative farming practices and an organized supply to these families, the project directly links local production with the needs of six partner schools in SolidarityAfrica, with nearly 15,800 children.
Spinach, green beans, beets, moorings, cabbages, eggplants and carrots help to diversify meals and improve their nutritional quality. For families participating in FXBVillage, this collaboration offers regular and predictable opportunities that help them consolidate their agricultural activities and economic autonomy.
By creating a lasting link between producers and schools, this partnership supports both child nutrition, the local economy and family resilience.
3.Improving access to water, hygiene and a balanced diet at school
In the Rukoma area of Kamonyi District, FXB improves water, hygiene and sanitation conditions in six rural schools with more than 4,100 students.
The project will include the construction of improved and ventilated latrines and urinals, as well as the installation of rainwater recovery systems and tanks equipped with filtration devices. These facilities help to create a healthier school environment and prevent diseases related to water and lack of hygiene.
The school gardens are also designed to promote access to nutritious vegetables and support a balanced diet.
To sustain these improvements, training and awareness-raising workshops accompany the creation of hygiene clubs in each school. Students thus become actors in good practices and contribute to their dissemination within their school community.
In addition, FXB Rwanda is implementing a Global Fund program to reduce new HIV infections among key populations in Kamonyi, Gakenke and Musanze districts. This project targets sex workers, men who have sex with other men, transgender people and injecting drug users. In addition to providing access to screening and prevention services, FXB Rwanda is strengthening its knowledge of HIV, rights and treatment protocols. Awareness-raising campaigns are being conducted to reduce stigma and promote their social inclusion. The project also supports the economic empowerment of beneficiaries through income generation training.
By combining access to care, awareness and financial autonomy, FXB Rwanda is actively contributing to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Rwanda.
4. Valorizing medicinal plants and developing local production
Through the project Phyto Social Enterprise (POSE), FXB develops local production of herbal products. This initiative aims to leverage local resources and knowledge while promoting access to affordable products, especially for the most vulnerable populations.
Installed at Huye, NIRDA Research Centre, the project combines cultivation of medicinal plants and development of products such as ointments, syrups and herbal teas. Plant cultivation helps to preserve the species used and ensure a sustainable supply.
POSE works with health institutions, research centres, regulators and local authorities to guide product development. Their marketing is planned after the necessary preliminary steps, with particular attention to their quality, accessibility and price.
The project also aims to create jobs and economic opportunities for vulnerable people, linking natural resource development, local production and economic autonomy.
Our impact in Rwanda
Thousands of families have emerged from extreme poverty. They are able to support themselves, face the hazards of life and protect and raise their children with dignity.
have benefited from the presence of FXB in their communities through all projects undertaken since 1995.
moderate or acute malnutrition benefited from a multi-sectoral project to improve their nutrition and living conditions on a sustainable basis, completed in 2024.
« Chronicle of Success »
He describes the transition of 4 participants to FXBVillage programs from a life of extreme poverty to a life of dignity. In describing how these determined women have gained their independence and economic and social autonomy, this documentary provides an overview of what is needed to eradicate extreme poverty.
Life course
Betty, future school teacher
“Avant de rejoindre un projet VillageFXB, nous vivions dans une grande misère. J’étais constamment stressée à l’idée d’être exclue de l’école parce que mes parents n’avaient pas les moyens de payer les frais. J’étais convaincue que l’éducation était ma seule chance de briser définitivement le cycle de pauvreté. Avec le soutien de FXB, j’ai surmonté tous les obstacles et obtenu une bourse universitaire pour devenir professeure des écoles. Je suis déterminée à exceller dans mes études et rêve d’aider d’autres enfants vulnérables à changer leur vie, comme j’ai pu le faire”.
In 2021 Betty's parents joined a support, savings and credit group, where they acquired technical and financial skills. They then received capital to launch a commercial activity, which they diversified by starting fish processing. The income generated since the end of the project has also enabled them to acquire a house and farmland.
“Si nous n’avions pas été sélectionnés pour rejoindre le projet VillageFXB, nous serions toujours à la rue parce que nous n’avions pas les moyens de payer le loyer et nos autres besoins de base. Aujourd’hui, nous mangeons trois fois par jour, les enfants vont à l’école et nous pouvons payer l’assurance maladie, ce qui était un rêve inatteignable il y a 7 ans encore”. Get Jeanne up, Betty's mother.