YOUR generous donations will help us to bring whole communities out of poverty in Rwanda.

Donations given as part of the Bishop's Lent Appeal for 2026 will be split between global mission agency USPG, development charity Tearfund, and local church charity Vista. All three were also supported in 2025 and will be supported in 2027 and 2028 as well.

We hope to enhance our understanding of specific projects by allowing Tearfund to fund a trip to Rwanda for our Head of Safeguarding Emily Hassan - for a week from May 31 to June 5. The trip allows partners in the UK to meet individuals who will benefit from their donations, and to share experiences with those back home.

Emily expects to see the work of Tearfund partner Eglise Anglicane du Rwanda (EAR) with local church leaders, who are offered training in ‘church and community transformation’ (CCT). This holistic programme encourages church leaders to link their Bible studies with practical ways to help people out of poverty.

Those church leaders can bring individuals together in self-help groups, to support each other financially, practically, in prayer, and in community. It allows farmers to invest in crops they can sell, rather than living hand-to-mouth, thus giving them the dignity of not relying on handouts.

Among those helped recently was Rahurensiya, who had experienced challenges with alcohol while her husband was in prison and struggled to care for three children by herself. Food, clothing and school fees became a constant worry.

But after attending Bible studies which reminded her of God’s love, she was introduced to a self-help group called Twisungane. She received training and a small loan (around £50), bought bags of millet to sell and soon made a small profit.

A second loan allowed her to buy a small piece of land, where she planted rice. She even started a small business making and selling millet juice. Ultimately she was able to employ others. She is grateful she has walked this journey with Jesus, as well as for the practical support that has given her financial independence and a renewed sense of purpose.