Back Ground
FXB Rwanda has been one of the pivotal organizations in the country since its local presence in 1995. Affiliated with FXB International, FXB Rwanda initially focused on addressing the immediate economic needs of vulnerable families affected by the aftermath of the Genocide Against Tutsi in 1994. and worked tirelessly to support community recovery efforts.
In 2014, the organization solidified its commitment to the Rwandan community by registering as a local Non-Governmental Organization, maintaining its affiliation with FXB International to leverage global resources and expertise.
From the outset, FXB Rwanda recognized the importance of collaboration, partnering with the Rwandan government and various stakeholders to implement effective recovery programs. These partnerships have been instrumental in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by communities, enabling the organization to provide targeted support that meets the specific needs of families.
At the core of FXB Rwanda’s efforts is its mission to tackle the root causes of poverty, which is essential for securing children’s rights to survive, grow, and develop. The organization envisions a world that is conducive to children’s well-being, where vulnerable communities are empowered to break the cycle of poverty. Through its initiatives, FXB Rwanda strives to create lasting change, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential in a supportive and nurturing environment.
By focusing on economic empowerment, FXB Rwanda has played a critical role in helping families regain stability and rebuild their lives in the wake of national trauma.
Distribution of Shoes and School uniforms
Students learning with school materials
As the organization evolved, it became clear that a broader range of interventions was necessary to foster sustainable development. In response, FXB Rwanda expanded its programs to include essential services such as Nutrition, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Health, Education and Early Childhood Development (ECD). This holistic approach aligns with FXB’s vision of creating a world fit for children, combating poverty, and ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the comprehensive support they need to thrive. Through these efforts, FXB Rwanda continues to make a significant impact on the lives of countless families across the nation.
Over the past 30 years, FXB Rwanda has made significant strides in improving the lives of vulnerable populations through its extensive implementation of over 50 diverse programs. These initiatives have reached over 2.5 million community members across the nation, showcasing the organization’s commitment to addressing pressing social issues.
The organization specifically targets HIV-affected or infected orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), as well as adolescents and young women at risk. FXB Rwanda’s programs are designed to provide comprehensive support to these groups, ensuring they receive the necessary resources and care. In addition to HIV interventions, FXB Rwanda also focuses on economic empowerment for impoverished families, recognizing that financial stability is crucial for long-term health and well-being, through its unique poverty-eradication model, the FXBVillage Approach.
As of 2025, FXB Rwanda is implementing 12 FXBVillages projects through a “graduation approach”, in four districts, namely Nyarugenge of Kigali City and Kamonyi, Gisagara and Nyaruguru of the Southern Province impacting 3,605 families with more than 20,360 adults and children. The families receive sliding-scale support over a three-year period – the time needed to move from extreme poverty to sustainable economic and social autonomy. Through these projects, beneficiaries receive trainings in finance and project management aimed at building their financial literacy capacities and initiation of Income Generation Activities. In the same vein, as being actively involved in Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), beneficiaries are provided with a small amount of start-up capital to undertake micro-businesses for increased households’ income. Similarly, beneficiaries have access to a mutual health insurance scheme, receive nutritional and schooling support for their children and contribute to improvements for their housing and sanitation facilities. Participating families also enhance their knowledge in essential areas of health and social issues, thus contributing to their overall development and the sustainability of the projects’ impact on their quality of life. This holistic approach not only enhances individual health outcomes but also fosters community development, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more resilient Rwanda.
Since the early 2000s to date, the FXBVillage Poverty Reduction Model has been regularly evaluated. Different household survey findings evidenced real impact on the economic, health and social status of children and adults.
To maximize its impact, FXB Rwanda collaborates with a diverse range of stakeholders. These partnerships include national line ministries and national entities, such as the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Governance, National Child Development Agency (NCDA), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB), National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA), among others. The organization also capitalizes on community-based structures by working with Nutrition, Agriculture, Environmental, Education and Health Implementers at the community level as well as local leaders such as community health workers, parasocial workers, peer educators, and volunteers. By engaging these groups, FXB Rwanda leverages local knowledge and resources, creating a network of support that addresses the unique needs of families and children within their communities. This collaborative approach ensures that interventions are both effective and sustainable.
FXB Programs
Since its inception in 1995, FXB Rwanda has been at the forefront of community development, implementing a total of 53 programs and projects across all provinces of Rwanda, including the City of Kigali. These initiatives have not only addressed immediate needs but have also fostered sustainable change within the communities. While some programs have concluded, their positive impacts continue to resonate, showcasing the long-term benefits of FXB’s commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable populations.
Currently, FXB Rwanda is actively engaged in 12 districts, which include Gakenke, Gisagara, Huye, Kamonyi, Nyaruguru, Musanze, Ngoma, Nyabihu, Nyanza, Nyarugenge, Rwamagana, and Rubavu. The organization is implementing a diverse range of programs designed to tackle various challenges faced by these communities. Notable programss include Igire-Turengere Abana, Sugira Muryango, and the FXBVillage projects, each tailored to address specific needs such as child welfare, family support, and community development.
In addition to these programs, FXB Rwanda also focuses on critical areas such as boosting agriculture production and postharvest handling, Water, Healthcare and HIV Prevention through initiatives like Food Security Strengthening Technical and Recovery Intervention for Growth (FOSTERING), Phyto Social Enterprise (POSE) Project, and the National Strategic Plan (NSP-HIV/TB) project. These projects are instrumental in enhancing the quality of life for the most vulnerable families and key populations, ensuring that they have access to essential resources and support systems. As FXB Rwanda continues to evolve, its dedication to empowering communities remains steadfast, paving the way for a brighter future for countless individuals across the nation.
FXB Rwanda’s Areas of Interventions
To drive its mission by eradicating the root causes of poverty by empowering the most vulnerable communities in Rwanda, FXB Rwanda began by implementing interventions aimed at enhancing the well-being of targeted populations. The initial focus encompassed essential areas such as Economic Empowerment, HIV/AIDS Prevention, Health, Nutrition and WASH, and Education, all integral to the FXBVillage model. As the organization progressed, it has broadened its scope to include Early Childhood Development (ECD), Violence Prevention, as well as Climate Change and Environment Conservation ensuring holistic support for family beneficiaries. Today, FXB Rwanda is active in six key areas, through which it delivers its programs effectively.
FXB Rwanda’s Beneficiaries’ impactful stories
FXB Rwanda’s FOSTERING Project Transforms Nutritional Habits in Gakenke and Nyabihu Districts
Residents of Gakenke and Nyabihu districts are experiencing improved dietary habits due to an educational initiative led by FXB Rwanda through the KUNGAHARA Food Security Strengthening Technical and Recovery Intervention for Growth (FOSTERING) project. The European Union funded initiative focuses on enhancing food production through sustainable agricultural practices while providing essential nutrition education to community members.
The nutritional quarterly campaigns aim to raise awareness about the importance of locally sourced foods in achieving balanced diets and addressing malnutrition. Participants have engaged in kitchen demonstrations that promote diverse food choices and cooking methods that maximize the nutritional value of local ingredients. Personal testimonies, such as that of Uwamahirwe, highlight a shift in dietary practices, with families now incorporating a variety of foods to ensure adequate vitamin and mineral intake for children’s growth.
Cooperative members, like Ngendahimana from the KUNDUMURIMO cooperative, emphasize the project’s role in improving nutritional knowledge and practices. The initiative encourages families to focus on nutrition while also considering the market potential of their crops, aiming to eliminate malnutrition within the community. Eric Mwiseneza, the Executive Secretary of Karambo Sector, acknowledges the campaign’s significant impact on changing community attitudes towards nutrition and appreciates the collaboration with FXB Rwanda for fostering sustainable change.
Since its launch in October 2023, the FOSTERING project has successfully conducted five quarterly nutrition campaigns in the targeted districts. These campaigns have included kitchen demonstrations, community discussions on nutritional practices, educational initiatives, and the distribution of nutritious animal-based products to cooperative members, all aimed at enhancing nutritional skills and promoting healthy eating habits to combat malnutrition effectively.
The provision of animal-based products is crucial for ensuring a balanced diet and addressing malnutrition among participants. The Baseline Survey Report for the FOSTERING project highlights significant dietary diversity challenges in the Gakenke and Nyabihu districts, with only 30.0% of children in Gakenke and 23.8% in Nyabihu meeting minimum dietary diversity standards. Additionally, the DHS 2019-2020 report indicates that stunting rates among children under two years are concerning, with 39.0% in Gakenke and 47.0% in Nyabihu.
The nutrition campaign aims to enhance dietary practices within these communities by promoting the consumption of nutrient-rich foods, which is essential for tackling malnutrition and food insecurity. The implementing partners, FXB Rwanda and E4IMPACT Foundation, acknowledge the support from the European Union Delegation in their efforts to combat food insecurity and emphasize the need for continued collaboration with other partners in this vital initiative.
From Sex Worker to private sector
Aline, the mother of two children at her shoe-making workshop
Aline, a young mother of two, experienced significant challenges in her family life, including sexual violence at a young age, which led to her first pregnancy and subsequent isolation due to lack of family support. To support herself and her children, she turned to sex work, a decision she felt was her only option. After five years in the sex industry, Aline’s life began to change when her children were enrolled in the Turengere Abana Program in 2021, which provided economic support through Internal Saving and Lending Groups (ISLGs).
Through this program, Aline gained awareness of HIV risks and the importance of finding alternative income sources. Inspired by a successful shoemaker, she pursued training in shoe-making, securing a loan of 50,000 Rwandan francs for her apprenticeship. After three months, she became skilled in the craft and obtained an additional loan of 30,000 Rwandan francs to start her own shoe-making business. The local government supported her by providing a business location in Rwamagana District, Rwanda.Aline’s business has flourished, generating a monthly net profit of 80,000 Rwandan francs, which allows her to meet her family’s needs, including her children’s education and health insurance. Additionally, she has invested in small livestock, further enhancing her income.
Aline expresses gratitude for the support from FXB and its partners, which has significantly improved her family’s financial stability and allowed her to leave sex work behind.
A light towards my educational dreams’ realization
Immaculée carrying out her professional internship at CARAES Neuropsychiatric Hospital located in Huye district, Southern province of Rwanda
Immaculée Tuyisingize, a young girl from a family of six in the impoverished Shyogwe Sector of Rwanda, faced significant challenges in accessing education due to her family’s financial struggles. Her parents relied on traditional agriculture and worked on others’ farms, but their small farming plot yielded insufficient resources. Despite these hardships, Immaculée and her sister excelled academically, often at risk of expulsion due to unpaid school fees.
The family’s situation worsened when they had to sell their land to fund the sisters’ education, leading to deeper poverty. Immaculée aspired to become a medical doctor but felt her dreams slipping away as she grappled with guilt and stress over being a burden to her family. In 2018, her family was selected for the Mbare FXBVillage program, which provided essential support in education, economic development, nutrition, and healthcare.
This program marked a turning point for Immaculée, allowing her to continue her studies without the fear of dropping out. She described the support as a miracle that reignited her aspirations. Over three years, the program empowered her family economically, enabling them to renovate their home and start a small livestock farming operation, which diversified their income. This newfound stability ensured that the children could continue their education, including university fees.
Immaculée has since completed her secondary education and secured a government scholarship to study clinical medicine at the University of Rwanda, where she is now in her third year. She is also undertaking a professional internship at CARAES Neuropsychiatric Hospital. Immaculée credits the FXBVillage program for her achievements, emphasizing the importance of the support she received in realizing her lifelong goal of becoming a doctor. She highlights the program’s role in fostering a culture of saving and educational success, which has been vital in her pursuit of her life goals.
