RWANDA GROUP TRUST
(PATRON BISHOP PAUL SWARBRICK)
February, 2024
Dear All,
Happy New Year to all our wonderful supporters and welcome to our first Newsletter of 2024.
We begin with news of the death of one of our most loyal supporters …Deirdre Rawlinson. Deirdre volunteered in our shop for many years and continued to support right up to her final weeks by donating goods for each of our Table Top Sales. She was the sister of Mary Hammond whom many of you will have known. Deirdre’s funeral is at St. Gregory’s church on Monday, 12th February at 12 Noon. We send our condolences to her family. May she rest in peace.
We held our quarterly meeting of Trustees in January in the Padua Room at St. Anthony’s.
Trustees present, Michael Donlan, Myra Gregory, Mark Ibison, Veronica Sanders, Judith Potts, Clare Spicerand myself, Bernadette Roberts.
November’s Funding
We were able to increase our funding again this quarter to £2000 to each of our 4 groups.
Fr. Placide in Cyangugu helped: 24 children with school fees and meals; 20 families with food and clothing; 2 people with health care; 180 people with medical insurance; 3 families with housing.
He writes ‘……there are some difficulties we are facing here:
- The heavy rain which destroyed houses and roads.
- Due to the heavy rain crops like beans and soya have been putrefied in the fields. Then the famine continues.
- There is a big poverty in the society.
I wish you all members of RGT/UK the happy new year of 2024 may God bless abundantly.’
He sent the following photos.
Beatrice in Kigali was able to assist 50 children with school fees; 4 ‘malnourished children’ with food.
She writes to Mark:
‘First of all,
Thanks for your continuous support to Rwandan vulnerable children. We acknowledge the reception of the tranche of December. The amount sent has been used to contribute to the school fees of 50 students in secondary school and for malnourished children of Kabuga Health Center.’
‘As we are still in the beginning of the New Year I take this opportunity to address my good wishes to you and to all the RGT family.
May God bless you and your loved ones with Prosperity, good Health and, Happiness in the New Year.
Happy New Year.
Marie Beatrice
Petronille in Gikongoro helped with 30 Primary and Secondary children’s school fees; food and clothing for: ‘15 people living and or affected by HIV/AIDS, 20 people with mental chronic diseases, lunch at school for former street children; drugs and palliative care for 5 persons with cancer disease.’
Fr. Fabian in Nyundo aided 30 children with education; 64 people with food and clothing; 3 people with health care and 3 families with housing.
He writes:
‘Let us first wish you all and all our other friends of the RGT UK a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024. Thank you for your support over the past year (2023). In addition to the regular instalments, you generously helped us during the floods in May. We never forget that. To close this year you sent us an abundant instalment that came at the right time: a difficult time, some people were very much in need and you relieved them. Thankyou.’
‘The overall situation at the end of the year looks promising. The harvest will be good, although in some areas heavy rains have damaged crops.
- Prices remain high, but there is as slight decline
- Border security with DRC remains tense, trade suffers.
- The joy of holiday season gives a certain peace even to the poor when they exchange the little they have.
- Thank you again.’
Sister Philomene writes:
‘….I thank you with all my heart for the generosity and the greatest love that you have for all the groups of the RGT in Rwanda. Thank you very much for everything. Students begin their vacation this Thursday, 12/22/2023. It is thanks to the efforts of each of you that these children find the chance to continue their studies. May God fill you with His Blessing.’
February’s Funding
Again, we are able to send £2000 to each of our 4 groups as well as £270 for 9 goats/pigs.
LAST YEAR’S INCOME
The Joe 90 Walk
Judith and Clare had been informed that the building of the classroom in memory of Joe Bamber, their dad, was to have begun in January. We will keep updated with that.
Keep Fit
Last year we managed to raise £2,324.80 (including Gift Aid)
Table Top/Car Boot Sales:
In just 4 months, last year we took approx. £1500
Standing Orders
These amount to £222 each month
LAST YEAR’S OVERALL INCOME, WHICH INCLUDED SALE OF GOODS AND DONATIONS, WAS £48,000. This also included £13,000. raised by the Bamber family for the new school project in Joe’s memory,£3000 of which has been sent to get the project underway. The remaining £10,000 is on hold and will be sent in stages as progress reports are received.
TO OUR RWANDAN GROUPS WE GAVE £34,000, leaving £1,000 available towards our next tranche due 1st May. All figures are approximate. Our annual examined accounts will be available later in the year.
WOW!!! We are so grateful to all who have contributed in any way to those amazing figures.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Table Top/Car Boot Sales in St. Anthony’s Annexe, St. Anthony’s Drive.
Saturday, 10th February 10am until 1pm (Poster attached. Please display if able)
Ring or email me, Bernadette, for more details and/or to book a table for a donation of £10.
Keep Fit ..for old(ish!) or young..every Wednesday in The Padua Room, St. Anthony’s. We have a couple of spare places. £5 donation not obligatory. Come and see before committing.
Tel: 07734972897 grannyrazzle@sky.com
To you who are unable to assist with donations, we ask again for your prayers for all who we support and for ourselves, in our efforts to provide whatever little help we are able. Please, simply read our quarterly newsletter without feeling under any obligation!
For those who feel able to contribute, details are again below for donations.
We thank everyone, as always for prayers and donations of any kind.
Donations can be given in the following ways:
1. To a Trustee
2. Bank transfer via BACS to our Santander bank a/c:
Rwanda Group Trust:
Sort Code: 09-01-29
A/c No: 08478395
3. By cheque payable to
Rwanda Group Trust
Sent to:
Rwanda Group Trust
17, Mayfield Road,
Preston
PR2 1EX
GIFT AID:
If you are a taxpayer, we can reclaim the tax paid on your donation at no extra cost to yourself. Please complete and return the attached Gift Aid form if you are able and willing to Gift Aid your donations. Many Thanks
For further details and updates go to our new website: http://www.rwandagrouptrust.org
Michael Donlan Tel. 07864 990941/ Bernadette Roberts 07734972897
PLEASE PASS ON THIS NEWSLETTER TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY
GIFT AID
RWANDA GROUP TRUST Registered Charity Number 1074656
Gift Aid Declaration in respect of cash and sale proceeds from gifts.
I (full name)………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Of (address including postcode)………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
I wish this Declaration to apply to any cash donations which I may make now and in the future or have made in the past four years to the Rwanda Group Trust.
I also wish to donate the proceeds of any goods that I donate for sale by the Rwanda Group Trust.
I understand that I must pay an amount of Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax equal to or greater than the tax reclaimed by the charity on my donation.
Signed ……………………………………………………………….. Date ……………………………………………………..
Rwanda Group Trust 