The first group of the friars came to Rwanda in 1983. By the bishop they have been given Kivumu. At that time Kivumu was an out-station of Cheza Parish. In that group of the friars (five of them) was Vjeko Curic and former general of the Franciscan order fra Giacomo Bini. They have been working and living with the people of Kivumu and Rwanda in very “simple” and for the people acceptable way. They would go to dig with them, carrying water and firewood. The people are appreciating very much Franciscan way of doing in this way.

Kivumu parish is a very small parish with about 60 km2 and about 30000 populations in its boarders. The area is overpopulated especially if everybody has to live from his/her garden, and around 40-50% people do not have daily meal.