Building a more peaceful future

Genocide in 1994 has left Rwanda with a legacy of lingering mistrust and division among neighbours and ethnic groups – and a desperate lack of resources.

Oxfam aims to build peace and overcome poverty at the same time – our experience shows that the two go hand-in-hand.

How Oxfam is helping

We offer grants to village councils. Local people from all ethnic and social groups decide together how best to use the money, ensuring conflicts are dealt with, and the community learns how to work for the common good.

  We could not share ground to walk on. We were afraid of each other. We could not even greet each other. Our goat project [funded by an Oxfam grant] has united us. It has helped us discuss the problems that affect us.

Auriea Kasine, Cyembogo

Oxfam's other work in Rwanda

• Encouraging active community participation in decision-making and development work
• Improving gender relations and building women's economic capacity
• Helping people strengthen their means of making a living

Oxfam's work in Rwanda in depth

This programme is directly funded by Oxfam Ireland.