Effectiveness of Faith-Based Organizations in Meeting Spiritual and Physical Needs in Post-Genocide Rwanda: A Case Study of Africa New Life Ministries

Abstract

The 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi destroyed the country’s social fabric, leaving over a million dead and many with deep spiritual, psychological, and material needs. This study examined the effectiveness of Africa New Life Ministries (ANLM), a Faith-Based Organization (FBO), in addressing the spiritual and physical needs of post-genocide communities in Rwanda. Using a mixed-methods case study, it combined ethnographic observation, interviews, and quantitative surveys to assess ANLM’s nine-pillar model of integrated community services. Data were collected from 81 participants, including leaders, staff, and beneficiaries across three program sites. Findings demonstrated the effectiveness of ANLM’s programs, which encompass child sponsorship, education, healthcare, leadership development, church planting, and community outreach, in addressing both spiritual and physical needs. The organization supports over 10,000 children, provides 2.5 million meals annually, and maintains high satisfaction rates among beneficiaries (94%) and staff (97%). Results also indicate significant improvements in spiritual growth, health, and livelihoods, alongside strong organizational growth marked by an 83% revenue increase and international expansion. The study concludes that Faith-Based Organizations play a vital role in post-conflict recovery situations when spiritual care is integrated with socio-economic empowerment and supported by strong community leadership. It recommends strengthening feedback systems to keep programs aligned with changing community needs.