We are a group of likeminded persons that have the motivation to help some of the most vulnerable people gain the trust and self-respect needed to want to pursue a better life for themselves and their children. We deeply believe that every child has a right to education as it is the only way to ensure economic and social development and as such break with the vicious circle of poverty.
The SPOT project is the result of a wish to support those less fortunate and to collaborate and learn from each other in the process. This collaboration includes on the one hand the newly established Parish in the Busengo sector, led by Father Jean François Régis Bagerageza, the Parish Priest, and his direct engagement with the local community and support by his long-term friend Dr. Mireille Biraro. On the other hand there is a group of Europeans who have been traveling around the country for some years working on various European academic cooperation projects, and who found in Busengo and its people a special place.
While Rwanda as a country is growing economically and most development indicators are on the rise, there are still many rural areas that are very poor and need an extra helping hand to get out of the poverty trap. Busengo is a region that is perhaps poorer than others because the civil war that followed the genocide hit particularly hard here. But making comparisons is very difficult and even useless. For us, the difference in Busengo was made by the people, Father Régis and Mirey and the local community. In Busengo we encountered determination, long-term planning and the ability to envision a better future and we allowed ourselves to be infected by hope.
In close unity and collaboration, we created the SPOT project, and we feel lucky to be able to work together and learn from each other in the process. Our attention will first and foremost go to the most vulnerable in the Busengo community, namely women and children.
The SPOT Project operating team currently includes:
- Father BAGERAGEZA Jean François Régis
- Dr. Mireille Biraro
- Luciana Stortoni
- Pia Lovengreen Alessi
- Paolo Ciampolini
The SPOT project warmly welcome like-minded people to join our mission and support our cause.
100% of all donations directly benefit women, families and students. We ensure that all projects receive adequate supervision through annual field visits, the cost of which is covered by ourselves.
The SPOT project is supported, through technical and financial management, as well as with operating funds, by the Association “Il Portico di San Giuseppe ONLUS“, an NGO active in the support and inclusion of migrant or disadvantaged youth.