Welcome to Prison Fellowship Rwanda!
Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR) is a faith-based non-profit organization that seeks to be a national movement of reconciliation, restoration, and rehabilitation for all those involved in and affected by crime. PFR works to promote restorative justice in the criminal justice system and in surrounding communities, and especially among those affected by the 1994 Rwandan genocide. PFR also assists the most vulnerable in society by seeking ways to provide for basic needs of individuals through local development initiatives and to further prevent criminalization in at-risk communities. PFR is a member of Prison Fellowship International, the world’s largest and most expansive association of Christian ministries working within the criminal justice field.
About Prison Fellowship Rwanda
Prison Fellowship Rwanda’s work in the prisons began in 1995 in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide of 1994, when over a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in the span of 100 days. PFR was first recognized as a registered non-profit organization by the government of Rwanda in 2001 and in 2002 PFR became a member of Prison Fellowship International. Since then PFR’s work has expanded beyond the prisons and into communities, working to instill practical reconciliation among all Rwandan people directly or indirectly affected by the genocide and other crimes through economic development and spiritual healing to create communities of restoration.
Message from Executive Director
On behalf of the Board of Directors and Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR) staff, I would like to thank all our partners and supporters who contributed to the enormous work we have been doing in our country. In 1995, one year after the Rwandan genocide, Prison Fellowship Rwanda was founded. Our aim was to take on the astounding challenge of reconciliation work in ravaged communities where genocide survivors live as neighbors to their family’s killers. We knew the only way to heal and transform the lives of those in the prison and communities was through the Word of God, but also to use other practical measures to reach as many people as possible.
Fourteen years later, PFR has seen genuine transformation in the lives of many, and we continue to expand our reconciliation work through various activities. In the prisons we have included sports activities for inmates, evangelism, agriculture projects, unity and reconciliation teaching, and literacy programs. In the communities we have been active in practical reconciliation, which include house-building projects for repentant genocide offenders and survivors along with income generating activities, environmental protection programs, and home gardening skills. We are also continuing our emerging programs for street children and women living with HIV/AIDS to provide ways for sustainable peace and human security as we encourage them to become productive society members.
Over the past year, PFR has been blessed by the support of different partners from donor organizations to compassionate individuals. We want to offer our sincere gratitude to all the organizations supporting our work and also to our individual supporters, who have grown to be so connected to our work. Over one thousand people have been reached with this work throughout this year. We have been able to reach hundreds of beneficiaries with the Word of God and social economic activities. Ex-prisoners, genocide survivors and community members have been able to peacefully cohabitate in reconciliation villages. Women living with HIV/AIDS and street children also have been assisted through enhanced living opportunities. May the hand of the Most High be always with our friends and supporters who contributed to our work.
Prison Fellowship Rwanda anticipates the coming of the New Year with great hope for our future programming and partnerships. Your contributions had a significant impact on our accomplishments and will continue have a further meaning towards our work in years to come. Your prayers, encouragement, and donations will be important to us as we continue our God given work in Rwanda.
We will of course continue to update you on all of our different programs, successes, and prayer requests. Please refer to our website for more information, visit our blog prisonfellowshiprwanda.blogspot.com or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Have a blessed New Year!
Pastor Deo GASHAGAZA
Executive Director
Prison Fellowship Rwanda