Rungano-Ndota

1 Youth learn through a holistic approach that builds on their experiences.

To grow in lasting ways, youth welcome us to their homes at least once a year.

We do home visits to all our youth annually, so we understand their personal situation and local context. We can better guide youth if we meet family members and get a sense of youth’s challenges and strengths at home.

When the whole community gathers, youth blend expert insights with life lessons.

We hold Rungano Days every month, with 250 youth in the core program gathered for a full day of leadership development and community building. Graduates and local volunteers provide extra guidance and operational support for these big gatherings that catalyze growth!

As youth build businesses, they know staff will guide them as people first.

We act as business coaches to help youth develop their plans, then operate and grow their businesses. But we know that strong profits come from safe and strong lives! So we coach the person, not only the business.

2 Youth are surrounded by a community of patient, trusting role models.

By uniting around shared challenges we turn them into strengths.

Our Kundwa Groups unite youth who face similar experiences: a group for youth who are single parents and another for those who are returning to the community after being sent to youth rehabilitation centers. They go on to achieve like other Rungano youth. For example, 28 youth from rehab centers have participated and only one has returned to rehab. The name says it all: Kundwa means“beloved.”

When youth apply for loans from us, they know that relationships are their collateral.

Since 2020 our Loan Fund has made 412 business loans to RNI youth and graduates, allowing them to start and expand businesses. They successfully sell everything from cassava and goats to photography, salon, IT and taxi services… even tofu products! Knowing that their responsibility makes loans available for others, Rungano youth have a 100% repayment rate. Not a single default!

Youth build relationships with visitors from all over the world.

We welcome visitors from around Rwanda and the world, building the spirit of Twese for Rungano! (“All of us for Rungano!”) Youth build business connections with Rwandans at Business Bootcamp and at Business Networking Forums. They create learning connections with visitors from the USA and other countries who join us for two weeks at our annual Leadership Exchange.

3 Youth sit in the driver’s seat of their lives.

They have the freedom to choose their career path.

We help youth learn skills to build livelihoods through Rwanda’s strong TVET system of trade schools. Youth apply for a course based on their interests and opportunities. Able to set their own goals, 100% of Rungano youth have successfully leveraged trade school education to start businesses or find employment. With that track record, Ruhango District local government now fully funds TVET scholarships for Rungano youth.

In building businesses, they take responsibility for employing others.

We encourage youth to not only improve their own livelihoods, but also to grow businesses so they can hire others. As of 2024, Rungano youth and graduates have hired 107 full time and 144 part-time employees. In 2024 alone they also hired neighbors for almost 7,000 days of seasonal work. They expand opportunity. Others can depend on them.

When youth graduate, their communities have confidence in them as leaders.

Our graduates are widely respected and trusted to play leadership roles. Before joining Rungano-Ndota, 9% of our youth had been chosen for any leadership positions. After graduating, 87% have been elected to leadership roles in their communities, in local government, in churches and mosques, in schools, and more.

4 Youth co-create Rungano-Ndota with the staff and other leaders.

Saving groups transform into businesses.

From the beginning, staff and youth grasped the potential of pooling their funds, especially when individual savings are very small. In the early years, staff and youth developed the cassava and corn cooperatives out of saving groups. Many more businesses have followed!

For our first cohort’s graduation, youth created a huge new community event.

Inkera Y’Urungano Youth Graduation and Business Expo debuted in November 2022. This wonderful community event now anchors our year, as the rising class graduates, and hundreds of youth businesses sell to the wider community. Youth and staff collaborate to organize, construct, market, exhibit and perform the whole event. Together the Rungano community makes it all happen!

Youth envisioned and built a dynamic alumni network that works collaboratively across the community.

The first cohort to graduate established the Inyenyeri z’Urugano (“Stars of Rungano) Alumni Network. Over 200 graduates strong, the Network has elected leaders across the District and in Kigali. The Inyenyeri drive positive change in their communities, return to mentor current Rungano youth, and continue to grow their businesses. As graduates, they contribute financially with annual dues and they pay fees for business coaching and loans. This collaboration has built a catalytic platform for community development across the District.

Rungano-Ndota

Initiative

Building The

Dream Generation

We are an inclusive community dedicated to the holistic empowerment of youth overcoming poverty.

Our Youth Create Lasting Value for the Community

11

308

0

102

0

144

9%

87%

We Operate Across Four Foundations

Personal Wellness

Leadership Development

Entrepreneurship Development

Ecosystem Connection

"During Kundwa group gathering for young single moms, one of the other moms noticed that my daughter was malnourished. I had no idea. She immediately gave me advice on how to better feed her. I followed her advice, and now I can see a great improvement in my daughter's health and growth."

Yvette Umutoni

Pascal Uwizeye

Jeanette Uzamukunda

“Before Rungano-Ndota I thought I would always have to rely on other people. Then I learned about the importance of creating value for others, for the community, and for the world.”

Egidia Akimanizanye

“The testimonies I heard at the Rungano Days helped me understand how I should think about my future. Before I joined Rungano-Ndota, It was difficult to think about how a small thing could transform into a big thing.”

Elie Nshimyumukiza

“I was surprised by how the staff included everyone and respected me despite my problems and history. I had never been treated that way before. Rungano-Ndota didn’t lift me up, they taught me to lift myself up.”

Josiane Mukamasabo

Uniquely Impactful Empowerment

Our Founding Story

Donate to the Initiative

Explore More Stories

Visit our Support Network

Rungano-Ndota

Initiative

Building The

Dream Generation

We are an inclusive community dedicated to the holistic empowerment of youth overcoming poverty.

Our Youth Create Lasting Value for the Community

11

308

0

102

0

144

9%

87%

We Operate Across Four Foundations

Personal Wellness

Leadership Development

Entrepreneurship Development

Ecosystem Connection

"During Kundwa group gathering for young single moms, one of the other moms noticed that my daughter was malnourished. I had no idea. She immediately gave me advice on how to better feed her. I followed her advice, and now I can see a great improvement in my daughter's health and growth."

Yvette Umutoni

Pascal Uwizeye

Jeanette Uzamukunda

“Before Rungano-Ndota I thought I would always have to rely on other people. Then I learned about the importance of creating value for others, for the community, and for the world.”

Egidia Akimanizanye

“The testimonies I heard at the Rungano Days helped me understand how I should think about my future. Before I joined Rungano-Ndota, It was difficult to think about how a small thing could transform into a big thing.”

Elie Nshimyumukiza

“I was surprised by how the staff included everyone and respected me despite my problems and history. I had never been treated that way before. Rungano-Ndota didn’t lift me up, they taught me to lift myself up.”

Josiane Mukamasabo

Uniquely Impactful Empowerment

1

Youth learn through a holistic approach that builds on their experiences.

To grow in lasting ways, youth welcome us to their homes at least once a year.

When the whole community gathers, youth blend expert insights with life lessons.

As youth build businesses, they know staff will guide them as people first.

2

Youth are surrounded by a community of patient, trusting role models.

By uniting around shared challenges we turn them into strengths.

When youth apply for loans from us, they know that relationships are their collateral.

Youth build relationships with visitors from all over the world.

3

Youth sit in the driver’s seat of their lives.

They have the freedom to choose their career path.

In building businesses, they take responsibility for employing others.

When youth graduate, their communities have confidence in them as leaders.

4

Youth co-create Rungano-Ndota with the staff and other leaders.

Saving groups transform into businesses.

For our first cohort’s graduation, youth created a huge new community event.

Youth envisioned and built a dynamic alumni network that works collaboratively across the community.

Our Founding Story

Donate to the Initiative

Explore More Stories

Visit our Support Network

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