In the early 2000s, the Church in Rwanda was struggling to recover from dwindling external support and the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, and to respond to the overwhelming need of those left vulnerable by this social upheaval. Key leaders with exposure to management principles sparked reflections within the Church and reached out to Catholic Relief Services for support. In 2004, CRS and the Catholic Church in Rwanda began a unique collaboration, with CRS providing technical assistance, accompaniment and modest funding to build the capacity of Church leaders and structures.