by Guest Author | May 9, 2022 | African Road Partners, African Road projects, News and Updates, People
Katie Garner, strategic communications professional and photographer based in Kigali, Rwanda is a long time collaborative partner with African Road. Recently, she made a site visit to Nairobi, Kenya and collected first hand reports and powerful photography. Here, she tells the story of an African Road partnership – Emergency COVID Relief Funds paired with pratical training, that brought life-changing impact to 30 households in the informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya.
by Communications | Oct 18, 2021 | African Road Partners, Misc., News and Updates, People
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...
by Communications | Aug 23, 2021 | African Road Partners, African Road projects, News and Updates, People
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.
by Communications | May 11, 2021 | African Road Partners, Misc., News and Updates, People
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...
by Communications | Feb 23, 2021 | African Road Partners, African Road projects, News and Updates, People
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.
by Communications | May 20, 2020 | Misc., News and Updates, People
After five years of impactful, wise and faithful service to African Road, the wonderful, irrepressible Carol Lentz is stepping down from her role as Treasurer of the board. Carol has brought her finance and accounting skills, as well as her gravitas, creativity and...