A Healthy Spirit Resides in a Healthy Body, and the Family is the Nation’s First School – The Mission of OEPESD TABARA
It is indeed true that a healthy spirit resides in a healthy body, and when you invest in the well-being of families, you are actively shaping a better future for the nation. This becomes even more impactful when efforts are directed toward the care and development of young children, as it lays the foundation for a brighter tomorrow.
This is the core philosophy of OEPESD TABARA – Organisation pour l’Éducation et la Prise en charge des Enfants en Situation Difficile – a humanitarian organization committed to supporting children, empowering youth, and promoting peace within families.
On Friday, May 9, 2025, OEPESD TABARA participated in a graduation ceremony where certificates were awarded to former student leaders and young mothers who had previously experienced unplanned pregnancies.
These young women had received training through AERA Ministries, with OEPESD TABARA serving as one of the key partners. During the event, the organization donated two sewing machines as part of its support initiative.
In an interview with Iyobokamana Tv, Pastor Eugene Nshogozabahizi, the spokesperson for OEPESD TABARA, shared insights into the organization’s mission and activities. He explained that their work extends beyond providing school supplies and materials.
The organization also aims to transform mindsets by uplifting children from vulnerable backgrounds and equipping them with the vision and mindset necessary for a sustainable and productive future.
He stated: “We focus on empowering these children in their day-to-day lives, but we also emphasize their spiritual development, because we believe that a healthy spirit thrives in a healthy body. This is what we call holistic development.”
OEPESD TABARA places particular attention on reaching out to street children. They listen to their stories and often discover that many of these children have ended up on the streets due to domestic conflicts.
Pastor Eugene added: “When we find that the root causes of a child’s street life are family conflicts, we approach the families and work to resolve those issues, helping the child return home. In cases where children have dropped out of school due to poverty, we provide them with basic necessities and reintegrate them into the education system.”
He continued: “One of our key areas of focus is preventing and addressing domestic violence. Our efforts have yielded positive results, as we’ve helped many families who were once in conflict to now live peacefully together.”
“At OEPESD TABARA, we remain committed to family support because we understand that a strong, healthy family is the cornerstone of a strong nation, a thriving Church, and a hopeful future. When children grow up in peaceful homes, they are more likely to seek and preserve peace in their own lives. That’s why we call on everyone to join forces with the government to build a future free from dysfunction and filled with promise.”
Founded in 1995 after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, OEPESD TABARA has now been serving the Rwandan community for 30 years. The organization initially focused on providing urgent support to children and parents in crisis, helping them restore their lives. Over time, they expanded their services to include sustainable development programs aimed at long-term empowerment.
Over the past three decades, OEPESD TABARA’s initiatives have reached over half a million people across Rwanda. Today, they continue their mission of compassion and social transformation, bringing hope and dignity to the lives of vulnerable children and families.
