“A Partnership Synergy for Sustainable Solutions to Enhance the Well-Being of Refugees and Their Host Country.”
February 2025 was very rich in events for the “Forum pour la Mémoire Vigilante (FMV)”, one of the refugee-led organizations (RLOs).
Two major activities were organized and caught the attention of the national and international community.
For the February 15, 2025, gathering dedicated to the exchange of New Year’s wishes among FMV members, the article’s focus was on four main points. Opening the session, FMV’s Legal Representative, Mr. Ferdinand Ndayiragije, began with a welcoming speech and words of gratitude addressed to all participants, followed by an introduction of the guests. Among them were local administrative officials, including the Executive Secretary of Ruli, the Chief of Ruhina Village, and the representative of Shalom Ministries Muhanga, one of FMV’s partner organizations.
“On behalf of FMV, I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has made a significant contribution to our organization’s activities. Your commitment and dedication are the key to our shared success. Today, we honor these efforts by awarding certificates of recognition, a testament to our sincere appreciation. May this serve as an inspiration for each of us to redouble our efforts for the growth and well-being of our organization. Together, we are building a better future!” declared the Legal Representative of FMV, Mr. Ferdinand Ndayiragije.
Activity Reporting and Mid-Term Assessment of Action Plan
The Executive Director of FMV presented, domain by domain, the key achievements made so far. It was highlighted that additional efforts are needed to ensure the full implementation of the ongoing action plan.
The day helped strengthen cohesion among FMV members and laid the foundation for future actions to achieve an even greater impact within the community.
“We organized a gathering to exchange best wishes, aiming to strengthen cohesion and mark significant milestones in our ongoing projects. We discussed the report on past activities and the launch of two crucial projects in education and a Community Benefit Company (CBC). The event was not only an opportunity to celebrate our achievements but also to jointly prepare the next steps toward our common goals” said the Executive Director, Mr. Reverien Gahimbare.
The Importance of New Technologies for Humanitarians
Here, the website administrator, the Webmaster of FMV, presented the benefits of using digital technologies in the humanitarian field. He highlighted the importance of information technologies in the following points:
- The digitization of services for better accessibility to vulnerable populations.
• The improvement of communication and coordination among humanitarian actors.
• The optimization of project monitoring and evaluation through the use of digital tools.
“As members of the Forum pour la Mémoire Vigilante, vigilance is our very essence: we must never lower our guard against digital threats, as only constant attention ensures the security of our data and our organization. Let us always remain vigilant!” declared the Webmaster of FMV during his speech.
Official Launch of the Business Project (“Service n’Ubuntu mu Rwanda”) – SURWA
FMV has officially launched the SURWA project, a social business offering a variety of services:
- MTN mobile money transfer
- Irembo and RRA declarations
- Tourism guidance
- Consulting services
- Training programs
- School and office supplies
- Architecture and building services
- Construction services
- Project writing services
“At FMV, we strongly believe that the sustainable development of our communities depends on solid and well-structured income-generating activities. With the SURWA – Service n’Ubuntu mu Rwanda project, we are not just providing essential services; we are building an inclusive economic model where every FMV member can contribute their skills and commitment to ensure its success. It is imperative that we join forces because SURWA’s success depends on our collective ability to innovate, undertake, and effectively meet the needs of our community,” stated Mr. Frédéric NIBURANA, Director of the CBC Business Department at FMV, during his presentation.
Highlighting of the Results of the Refugee Children’s Education Support Project
The project manager, Mr. Vincent NZISABIRA, presented the achieved results as well as the challenges encountered in this field. Among the proposed perspectives, he emphasized the need to launch a fundraising campaign to ensure sustainable support for the education of vulnerable children.
Certificates of honour were also awarded to FMV coordination members in recognition of their dedication to the organization’s development.
Synergy of Partners for the well-being of refugees
The second event, held on 21-02-2025, was part of the annual reporting and planning process, during which UNHCR organizes a strategic reflection session. This meeting allowed for an in-depth review of the major achievements and challenges faced by the 2024 programs while facilitating essential information exchange to better guide joint actions in 2025 and beyond. It served as a framework for analysis and consultation aimed at improving coordination between the various stakeholders engaged in humanitarian response and refugee support.
According to Mr. Révérien Gahimbare, Executive Director of FMV, the event was of great importance as it facilitated the sharing of experiences and best practices among Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs), community leaders, and other national and international organizations involved in humanitarian aid, such as PFR, INKOMOKO, SAVE THE CHILDREN, PRACTICAL ACTION, and WORLD VISION, among others. The commitment of UNHCR partners and MINEMA (Ministry of Emergency Management and Refugee Affairs) was also highlighted as a key factor in strengthening long-term strategies focused on sustainable solutions for refugees.
Mr. Gahimbare welcomed the active collaboration between FMV, refugee-led organizations, and other stakeholders, praising their collective commitment to the well-being of refugees and the host community. He emphasized the crucial role of this synergy in achieving common goals, stressing the importance of maintaining this momentum of cooperation in the years to come. By highlighting the efforts made and the hard work of all involved, he expressed hope for strengthening these collaborations to ensure a lasting impact and improve refugees’ living conditions.
“Refugee-led organizations (RLOs) are particularly well-positioned to address the challenges of refugee communities, as they have a deep understanding of the realities, priorities, and appropriate solutions. It is therefore essential to provide them with increased support to enhance their effectiveness and maximize their impact.”
TOGETHER, WE WILL SUCCEED!!!
Some photos of the events:
