A Gospel Fundraising Concert for a Better Future
SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda is organizing a gospel fundraising concert aimed at supporting its mission to help children transition from life on the streets to safe, loving family environments. The event, scheduled for Sunday, October 19, at Christian Life Assembly (CLA) Nyarutarama starting at 3:30 p.m., promises to bring together believers, partners, and philanthropists from all walks of life. Their shared goal is to make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children in Rwanda.
During a press briefing on October 7, SOS officials announced that the concert aims to raise awareness and mobilize at least Rwf 60 million to support their ongoing efforts. Aimable Serugo, SOS Rwanda’s Regional Director, emphasized that this will be more than just a concert—it will be a national moment of hope and a call for collective action. He highlighted the organization’s deep commitment to ending child homelessness in Rwanda, with an ambitious goal of helping at least 7,800 children leave the streets and return to their homes by 2027.
Serugo explained that children who have lived on the streets often carry trauma and psychological wounds. Many return with illnesses, depression, or emotional distress. SOS Rwanda takes in children between six and thirteen years of age, mostly referred by the National Rehabilitation Services (NRS) and the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF). So far, 517 children have successfully been reintegrated into their families, and over 4,000 families have been economically empowered to provide better care.
However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic crisis has worsened the situation. Serugo urged everyone—churches, the private sector, and the public—to join them in this mission. He added that SOS Rwanda’s programs address not only childcare but also family strengthening and youth empowerment. Initiatives include remedial learning, vocational training, emergency response, alternative childcare, mental health support, and more.
Currently, SOS Rwanda supports more than 130,000 beneficiaries, with the number expected to double by 2027. Partnering with SOS Rwanda for this event is The City Light Church of Rwanda, a branch of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel (ICFG). Pastor Edwin Akombo Eregwa emphasized the importance of faith communities stepping forward to bring lasting change. “This initiative responds directly to society’s most urgent needs; true social transformation requires long-term commitment,” he said. “We are proud to stand with SOS in restoring hope and dignity to children.”
The concert will feature a lineup of gospel performers, including Ben & Chance, Alarm Ministries, El-Shaddai Choir, Joyous Melody, and celebrated artiste Chryso Ndasingwa. For Ben Serugo, one of the performing artists, this event is a deeply spiritual journey. “We are praying and preparing with purpose,” he shared. “We believe this event will be led by the Holy Spirit. It’s not just about singing; it’s about bringing the community together to make a difference in children’s lives.”
Chryso Ndasingwa, another performer, reflected on his own experience. “I was once a child supported by humanitarian organizations,” he said. “Their sponsorship changed my life. I know the power of being given a second chance. This concert is my way of giving back; not just by singing, but by supporting other children to find hope and a future.”
A Growing Crisis That Demands Action
Rwanda continues to face the challenge of children living in street situations. A 2017 UNICEF situational analysis estimated around 7,000 children in such conditions, but the number has since risen sharply. The National Rehabilitation Services (NRS) estimates that about 17,960 children are now living or working on the streets, many without parental care. The National Children’s Council (NCC) found that over 32% of these children are based in Kigali, and a 2022 study by SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda showed that nearly 80% of children in rehabilitation were under the age of 16, with over 10% younger than ten years old.
Serugo linked the increase to post-COVID-19 poverty, economic hardships, and family conflicts that have left thousands of children vulnerable. “Many are drawn to the streets hoping for a better life, only to face the harsh reality of survival without safety, education, or love,” he added.
SOS Rwanda’s community-based rehabilitation approach aims to reverse this reality, ensuring that every child grows up in a family environment, as per the government’s policy. The organization works hand-in-hand with local authorities, civil society, and the private sector to create lasting, sustainable reintegration systems.
The Gospel Fundraising Concert will be a gathering of hearts and voices united for one cause: to give every child in Rwanda a home, a family, and a future. Tickets are available at Rwf 5,000 (Bronze), Rwf 10,000 (Silver), and Rwf 15,000 (Gold). Proceeds will directly fund rehabilitation centers, family empowerment programs, education support, and mental healthcare for children recovering from street life.
Serugo concluded that every Rwandan franc contributed, every voice lifted, and every prayer offered would bring them closer to their dream of a Rwanda where no child sleeps on the streets and every child grows up surrounded by love, respect, and security.
