Ifashe Tugufashe — Family Support

Take the first step, and we’ll walk with you the rest of the way.

 

Overview
Ifashe Tugufashe is our family-strengthening program that keeps vulnerable children at home and out of the streets. This program, launched in 1997 (originally called "Twese Hamwe", which translates to “All of us together”), supports nearby households with practical work, school support, and livelihood assistance, enabling families to regain dignity, stability, and self-reliance.

 

How the program works

• Work-for-support model: Each household commits to a monthly quota of work hours helping our agricultural and community projects. In return, families receive money support to meet basic needs. This approach reinforces dignity, responsibility, and a sense of contribution.
• Education support: We cover school fees, provide uniforms, and support school feeding programs, enabling all children in the family to stay in school. Keeping children in school is a core priority.
• Livelihood development: Families are encouraged and supported to start small enterprises or improve existing livelihoods (e.g., livestock, small farming, home repairs). We provide guidance, seed inputs, and technical help where possible.
• Health & stability: We ensure families are registered for community health insurance (Mutuelle) and receive referrals for additional services when needed.
• Reintegration focus: For children in residential care, Ifashe Tugufashe supports safe reunification whenever it’s in the child’s best interest, while also addressing the financial challenges that previously pushed those children to the streets.

 

Impact & outcomes
Because families contribute effort as part of receiving support, the program shifts mindsets from dependency to active participation. Common outcomes include children returning to school, families starting small businesses, improved household stability, and successful reintegration of children in our Residential care program into safe family homes.

 

History & evolution
Started in 1997 as Twese Hamwe to emphasize unity and mutual support, the program evolved into Ifashe Tugufashe to promote self-reliance and active participation. The name change reflected a strategic shift: not simply giving, but partnering; the family brings effort, and we amplify it with resources and guidance. Over time, the program has scaled to reach hundreds of households and has become a core pathway for preventing child abandonment in our catchment area.

 

Funding & needs
Ifashe Tugufashe is currently supported by partner organisations in Europe and by local contributions, but needs additional funding to scale to more families and expand livelihood support. The most impactful investments are:

• Flexible operating funds for family support.
• Seed funding for small-business grants or livestock.
• Partnerships for vocational/enterprise training and market linkages.

 

How you can help

• Donate — flexible gifts let us reach more families quickly.
• Sponsor a family — provide steady school fees, food support, or livelihood inputs.
• Volunteer — bring skills in agriculture, business coaching, or community outreach.
• Partner — collaborate on funding, training, or scaling livelihoods.

 

Quick facts

• Program name: Ifashe Tugufashe
• Location: Musha, Rwamagana, Rwanda
• Who we serve: Vulnerable households in nearby communities, with priority for families of children in our Residential Care program
• Families supported: Currently 420 families
• Founded: 1997 (original name: Twese Hamwe)
• Model: Work-for-support — families contribute monthly work hours to our agriculture program in exchange for assistance
• Primary supports: School fees & uniforms, school meals, financial aid, health insurance, livelihood inputs, and mentorship
• Primary goals: keep families together, prevent children from returning to the streets, and build household self-reliance through practical support and participation

• Take the first step, and we’ll walk with you the rest of the way.