05.08.2025

“Our Hope Has Returned!”

In Bibungo, all children are equal: Masengesho Gaudance, leader of "Umwana Nkundi" (front, 4th from right, wearing red) with Sarah Nephuth, UEM Assistant in the Africa Division (front, 4th from left, wearing black) and Rev Benjamin Hategekimana, Partnership Committee Facilitator of the EPR Kigali (front, right, wearing green), as well as participants from the community.

Though numbers vary across countries, this is generally a global phenomenon: Teenage girls and young women get pregnant from men who are often older and in more privileged positions, sometimes married and already fathers of other children, who then reject any responsibility for mother and child. Exclusion from society makes it even harder for these young mothers to navigate their situation.

The rise of single motherhood is a phenomenon affecting countries across continents with varying intensity. According to Statista (2023), approximately 15.2% of children in Europe and 23.9% in the United States live with single mothers. In Asia, although cultural stigmas may suppress formal reporting, growing numbers of urban single mothers are being recorded in countries like South Korea and the Philippines. On the African continent, the numbers are currently the highest: around 32% of children live in single-mother households, with Rwanda reflecting a similar pattern.

In Bibungo Parish of the EPR* in Kigali, the group “Umwana Nkundi = A child is similar to the other” began in 2019, started by four teachers. With only four sewing machines and no dedicated space, 15 members come together weekly for counselling, prayer, skill development, and mutual support. “I was forced to sleep with someone who gave me a job,” said Angelique Uwimbabazi. “I am blessed that through trauma healing, I know now I do not need to isolate myself.”

Addressing the stigma, opening society

In the Anglican Diocese of EAR* Kigeme, 198 single mothers are currently participating in programs offering vocational training in tailoring, hairdressing, and small business development. Claudine Nyirabakure, one of the participants, shared: “We didn’t feel alone anymore, our hope came back. Now I can make my hair, buy my own clothes, and even support my family.”  The diocese also addresses cultural stigma. Previously, young unmarried mothers could neither baptize their children nor join choirs. Through dialogue with church congregations, attitudes are beginning to change.

EPR and EAR are members of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM). Rev Dr John Wesley Kabango, head of the UEM Africa Division, works together with the two churches. To him, these projects are particularly important: “The support to single mothers in Rwanda is crucial due to the sad prevalence of single-parent households, often headed by women, and the associated severe challenges of poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to the basic needs such as food, healthcare, education, clothing, housing. Very sadly, it is noticed that many of the young girls are victims of the consequences of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi”, says Kabango.

In EAR Cyangugu Diocese, the parish of Gashonga trained over 141 young women. Some have returned to school, supported by NGOs and government partnerships. Others have started their own businesses or reached university. The church further integrates forgiveness and reconciliation principles, with community groups of survivors and former perpetrators working side by side — illustrating the holistic ministry approach of EAR.

Single mothers belong here

A single mother who joined the initiative in Gashonga states: “We had in our dreams how we could make it to have such a training. After giving birth, we lost hope. Now we feel valued and included.”

These initiatives show how UEM members live out their mission: by restoring dignity, strengthening opportunities, and acting against social exclusion. In Bibungo, in Rwanda, and in Asia, Africa and Europe.

Here you can read the full report by Sarah Nephuth, Assistant in the UEM Africa Division, who visited the projects together with Reuben Inganji, UEM Project Coordinator.

*EPR = Eglise Presbyterienne au Rwanda (Presbyterian Church of Rwanda)

*EAR = Eglise Anglicane au Rwanda (Anglican Church of Rwanda)