Brick Housing in Burundi Brings Freedom from Fear
Stable and secure housing for indigenous women in Gahombo Village is a dream come true. In Burundi, many Batwa families live in makeshift grass shelters. These shelters are extremely susceptible to the elements, fires, and heavy rains. Every family in Gahombo imagines...
Bridging Divides: Unity & Economic Empowerment The Story of REACH Rwanda, and Partnership with African Road
It was an honor to have peacemaker and community-builder, Changemaker Philbert Kalisa as the special guest and featured speaker at the African Road Forward Together 2021 Gala Fundraiser. Guests, both online and in person, learned firsthand about the healing Philbert facilitates through the work of his organization, REACH Rwanda.
Persecution of the Tutsi people in Rwanda forced Philbert’s parents to flee the country when they were teenagers. They met in Burundi at a refugee camp, where they were married as young refugees and Philbert was born. Philbert grew up in that refugee camp, living there until he was 29, with no legal identity or citizenship.
Philbert’s experience led him to feel a call to become an Anglican priest. He received support to attend seminary in London in 1993. He and his wife Godelieve moved their young family to the UK and began a new life. A year after the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Philbert felt compelled to visit Rwanda to see the country his parents had come from. He witnessed destruction, pain, broken relationships, and grief. Philbert told himself, “This is where I originated from, I have to do something.” He moved his family to Rwanda and began the courageous and arduous process of forming and leading REACH Rwanda.
Celebrating Mama Consoler
Changemaker Consoler Wilbert, also known as Mama Consoler, embodies hope and joy, as well as fierce resilience and strength. She is an unstoppable and inspiring force. As a survivor of domestic servitude and violence from a young age, Consoler transformed her pain...
Meet Changemaker Moses Kamau
Moses decided to form his own non-profit, called Urban Impact Kenya (UIK), to focus on this mission. UIK trains leaders and brings ordinary people together, equipping them with skills and a plan to harness the human resources that exist in urban communities. This innovative training model, called Sustainable Livelihoods, was created by Moses. Moses splits his time and energy between his day job, his young family, and leading the work of UIK. UIK is a work of heart and dedication, providing opportunities for hope and advancement, through practical tools and support, for Moses’s former neighbors and other families in Kenya’s urban neighborhoods. As an energetic and inspiring leader, Moses has galvanized a vibrant team of volunteers to help him carry this work forward.