Non-Profit Work and COVID 19: How Rwanda based HOPE OF FAMILY stays on Course despite Challenging Time

Rwanda-The Corona Virus pandemic has affected the work of many non-profit organizations until some of them decided to close the doors while others kept on the course with limited means as well as limited field works which also might have affected the on ground results of activities mostly put in place to help local beneficiaries.

Through the Meet the Professional Programme, TOPAFRICANEWS Reporter has joined with the Executive Director of Hope of Family Organization to discuss how their NGO tried to stay on during the challenging moment when every one in the community was looking for the direct assistance to cope with the situation upstretched from COVID 19 pandemic.

As we have been reporting on this Organization’s work which has inspired many people among them, some went even beyond and asked us to kindly let them the financing model of Hope of Family’s activities currently reaching directly to 100 families who live in Shyogwe Sector, Muhanga District in the Southern Province of Rwanda.

The reporter’s direct questions to Mr. Mfateneza Emmanuel, the Executive Director of Hope of Family Organizations touched on the status of financial means during the COVID 19 pandemic, advocacy programmes, benevolent activities as well as the reason why whoever has the ability can support the organization’s financing model in order to reach as many beneficiaries as possible.

Mr. Mfateneza Emmanuel, a resident of Shyogwe sector who is always working from the filed with his team under direct guidance of Mr. Aimable Mpayimana, the Founder and Legal representative of HoF, explained that “Normally, Hope of Family has one donor called “Running Chicken”, a San Francisco-based non-profit that partners with local organizations in East Africa to kick-start community designed and owned development projects.”

“This is the only donor that we have until now.” Mr. Mfateneza added

He noted that in order to survive the harsh times of Corona Virus, it was due to the financing model where Hope of Family supports a beneficiary’s family in a period of 2 years which are pre-budgeted and that might have been one reason the organization’s work had not been heavily affected by the pandemic.

“So, this means that we are still able to provide for our beneficiaries since the two-years for our current beneficiaries have been designed and budgeted before the outbreak and again our donor is still here.” He added.

Throughout its work, Hope of Family works with people with wide range of expertise to share knowledge and hands-on experiences about family poverty reduction, empowerment, successful primary education, saving culture and volunteerism.

Mr. Mfateneza explained that “Since many citizens need to be supported, Hope of Family is of course unable to reach all families in Shyogwe Sector.”

“It is against this that we also engage in advocacy programmes where we ask those with benevolent heart to support our initiatives with the objective of alleviating families from extreme poverty as well as enabling a decent education for their children.”

He added that also Hope of Family has Volunteerism opportunities where for instance a graduate from University or college can help this local non-profit organization by contributing needed skills that can help the Organization’s growth.

In statistics, Hope of Family support 100 families made of 500 direct beneficiaries. The organization’s also 2500 indirect beneficiaries.

“Due to limited means, Hope of Family can not cover the funding for all 3000 beneficiaries despite their lowest household income which also led to the school drop out among the growing number of children.” He explained.

“So, from this situation, we develop project proposals and present them to those whom we think can donate to such cause. We also use our social media platforms and media friends in our advocacy programs and when someone is touched, he or she can donate to one or three families and so on.” Mfateneza added.

In case one might need to donate to Hope of Family programmes, as explained by the Executive Director, it is very easy. You can send an E-mail to: info@hopeoffamily.org or visit their Physical address which locates in Muhanga District, Southern Province of Rwanda, Shyogwe Sector in Kinini Cell.

You can also use the bank account below.

Hope of Family’s work is led by values such as

 Transparency

Accountability

Time management

Respect

Cooperation