FOUNDATION RWANDA ANNUAL REPORT
Photo Credit: Serrah Galos
2021
Second -generation survivor, Elisabeth in 2007 and 2019. Photo Credit: Jonathan Torgovnik
A New Mission Foundation Rwanda (FR) was established in 2007 to empower second-generation survivors born of rapes committed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and their mothers. These youth are now twenty-seven and through FR’s community counseling programs, many mothers have now disclosed the circumstances of their birth to their children. The children, now young adults, are strongly advocating for their own needs as they start new families. Where we once thought FR would complete its mission once the last cohort of FR youth had completed secondary school, it is clear we must address their emerging needs and help them advocate for and champion solutions to their greatest challenges. Thus, FR’s mission has evolved: 1. To provide support for educational opportunities including secondary school, vocational training, and university scholarships for second-generation survivors. 2. To convene and link families to mental health, medical, and social support services. 3. To empower families economically by providing income-generating and financial literacy programs and small business innovation grants. 4. To create awareness about the consequences of genocide and sexual violence through photography and new media.
Hope in the Pandemic In the midst of the pandemic, FR received some amazing news – an anonymous donor read about our work and left his small estate to Foundation Rwanda, including a home, car, and $71,000 in his savings account. This act of generosity was such a light in the darkness and isolation of the last year. Thanks to The Metta Giving Foundation, The Schultz Family Foundation, The Charles Bronfman Philanthropic Fund, Adam & Jessica Hirsch, The Gloria and Marty Wolosoff Foundation, Schulte Roth & Zabel, Linda Trau, and you – our village of grassroots supporters – Foundation Rwanda is in a period of rebirth and renewal!
Second-generation survivors engage in traditional Rwandan dance and icebreaker exercises during a youth counseling camp. Photo(s) Credit: Serrah Galos
Welcome Liliane This year, we welcomed Liliane Umuhoza, our new program officer, on the ground in Kigali. In addition, Jules Shell, FR’s co-founder, was able to return to a part-time executive director role as Foundation Rwanda’s work evolves to serve the next generation.
Liliane joined the team during the height of the pandemic and has been working tirelessly on behalf of the FR families to provide counseling and vocational training programs, emergency COVID-19 support, create a Foundation Rwanda Youth Ambassadors program, and to conceive and launch a small business innovation fund for second-generation survivors.
Liliane Umuhoza, Project Officer with FR Youth. Photo(s) Credit: Serrah Galos.
Liliane was born and raised in Rwanda. She graduated from Juniata College, in Pennsylvania with a B.A in Peace and Conflict Studies and is a Clinton Global Fellow. She brings her life experience of surviving the genocide against the Tutsi and previous non-profit work to advocate for opportunities to empower FR mothers and youth. Liliane cares deeply about providing access to mental health support to those who need it most in Rwanda. She is an avid public speaker and is available for speaking engagements. Feel free to say hello or drop her a line at liliane@foundationrwanda.org.
Our Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic 2021 was filled with unprecedented challenges for many around the globe. Although the Rwandan government acted quickly to curb the COVID-19 virus from spreading, four strict lockdowns disproportionately affected the rural poor including many FR families. Rwanda's first lockdown in March 2020 continued through the April 7th commemoration of the genocide which was a major trigger for many of the families we work with. Rwanda’s lockdowns included a complete shutdown of public transportation. Many FR women and youth who do not live near markets in both the city or rural areas were unable to access food. In addition to the daily challenges they face as survivors with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and stigma associated with rape and HIV, many families reported losing access to healthcare, food, employment and education and reported extreme economic and mental health challenges. Thanks to emergency relief support from our donors, FR was able to swiftly confront these challenges.
Second and third generation survivors attend a youth counseling camp. Photo Credit: Serrah Galos.
180 families received emergency food supplies 87 families received livestock
1,000+ women & children accessed counseling 4 mental health counselors hired 318 youth attended vocational training
FR Youth Rising Technical & Vocational Education & Training (TVET) TVET has been a principal solution to address youth unemployment in Rwanda. Graduates skilled in a trade have a higher success rate for starting their own businesses or accessing jobs. Over 300 second-generation survivors have attended trainings organized by Foundation Rwanda to learn catering, tailoring, hairdressing, motor mechanics, and construction. FR is currently seeking support for 100 new youth to join the TVET program in 2022, at a cost of $650 per student.
Patrick, a second-generation survivor, learns hands-on skills while attending vocational training for auto mechanics at Ceformi TVET School, Gikondo. Photo Credit: Serrah Galos.
Second-generation survivors attend vocational training for catering. Photo Credit: Serrah Galos
Community Counseling Camps Community Counseling Camps provide a safe retreat and space for both mothers and second-generation survivors born of rape from all over Rwanda to come together for three days, twice a year, to know they are not alone. Second-generation survivor participants partake in both group and individual counseling as well as workshops focusing on career guidance and reproductive health education. At a recent camp, the youth self-organized and collectively advocated for more community counseling camps with their peers and community counseling camps together with their mothers. An additional 250 women and youth would greatly benefit from the counseling program, at a cost of $78 per individual.
Thank You We believe everyone should have the right to equal access to education, medical and mental health support, and opportunities that will improve their lives. Dieudonne, second-generation survivor and graphic designer, receives a small business grant to expand his t-shirt business.
Small Business Innovation Fund When asked what their key priorities are, second-generation survivors have consistently responded, 1) being able to care for their aging mothers and 2) being employed as they start their own families. They are strongly advocating for access to job opportunities and financial independence. Although TVET courses are critical to giving students adequate knowledge and skills to earn a living, many still face challenges finding a job in Rwanda, especially in rural areas, and do not have the capital to start their own businesses. To address these challenges, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic, FR has set up a Small Business Innovation Fund to provide capital to those passionate about starting their own small businesses. Sixteen individuals have received small business grants of up to $500 each. We are currently seeking support to grow this important initiative.
“The youth born of genocidal rape are alive and still progressing. We are looking forward to being who we want to be in life.” - FR Youth Ambassador Shyaka Obed On behalf of the entire FR community, 830+ families strong, we thank you for your continued support. In the spirit of full transparency, please see our 2021 profit and loss statement on pg. 8. We hope you’ll join us as we listen and learn from Shyaka and the next generation and continue our work to help FR youth rise! With gratitude, The FR Team Jules, Liliane, Emilienne, Sam, David, Raban, Kawera, and Vincent
2021 PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT Statement of Activities Year Ended 12/31/2021 Support and Revenue Contributions Investment income
$403,652 $2,126
Total Support and Revenue
$405,778
Expenses Grants Outreach Salaries & Benefits Professional Fees Graphics & Design Insurance Bank Fees Donation Processing Government Fees Office Supplies
$119,532 $999 $12,805 $6,939 $400 $2,145 $1,079 $1,119 $295 $570
Total Expenses.
$145,882
Net Income
$259,896