About Us

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

Shelter Them-Rwanda’s Mission is to empower vulnerable and underprivileged children in Rwanda, by first ensuring they are integrated in an environment where their basic growth and development needs are met, and by then providing them and their families with the tools and resources they need for these children to have a bright, independent and sustainable future!

Our Values

We all know how life can be difficult.  Especially if you don't have the opportunities that others take for granted.  We know that there are many people who just need a little help to get on their feet.  Whether that is education, housing, love or to hear that they are not alone.  We believe that if you have been given much you should help others get up.  It is this that we see as our responsibility to do to these people and we know that it takes a team to accomplish it.  Wherever you are on this beautiful Earth we have been given, you can always help out and  care for people who need help

Our Faith

Food for the Body and Hope for the Soul is how we operate.  Shelter Them is dedicated to working with Rwanda’s underprivileged and vulnerable people, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender.

We are all God’s children and Shelter Them gives to these people we care about the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope it brings.

“We help them find a hope and a future for themselves and their familes

— Jules Higiro - Country Director

Our History

Shelter Them–Rwanda is a fully independent grassroots NGO, as recognized by the government of Rwanda.

Shelter Them Poverty Relief is an organization comprised entirely of volunteers, based in Canada, whose primary role is to provide funding for the various programs of Shelter Them-Rwanda. Currently, we support a total of 108 children living in 27 homes, spread between Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, and the village of Gateko in the Bugesera District.

Shelter Them is NOT about aid. Shelter Them–Rwanda exists and operates with the single goal of allowing all the children and caregivers it serves to have a choice in the way their lives evolve, rather than having an inevitable future linked to poverty imposed on them. We are working to achieve that goal through education and capacity building.

SHELTER THEM HISTORY IN ACTION

  1. 2005
    Helping a feeding program at Eglise Vivante - Josephine Jocelyne and Jules start Shelter Them
  2. 2009
    Beginning of the Sponsorship program and moving children into homes
  3. 2015
    Reuniting children with their families
  4. 2018
    Building of a community center
  1. 2005
    Helping a feeding program at Eglise Vivante - Josephine Jocelyne and Jules start Shelter Them
  2. 2009
    Beginning of the Sponsorship program and moving children into homes
  3. 2015
    Reuniting children with their families
  4. 2018
    Building of a community center

Since 2005 Shelter Them has had amazing growth.  We started off as a feeding program twice a week where street kids would come for a home cooked meal and have a church service, counselling and some people to talk to who care.  We have had homes where 4 or 5 kids could live and be cared for by a mother.  We also have seen much growth in the lives of those we helped.  From being a top 3 students in the country, university graduate and some moving on with their lives feeling whole and loved.  We thank God for the chance to see such an amazing transformation in so many lives

Click here to read our Safeguarding Duties

GOOD NEWS STORIES FROM RWANDA
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Rwandan RTV News
"Meet Rwandan-Canadian twins championing education in Bugesera"
Read More
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Aisha's new start to life
When you have had a hard life and struggle with basic life needs, an answered prayer brings an amazing change. With her…
Read More
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Francine's farm
A thank you letter from a lady whose family we helped
Read More

Our Leadership Team

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Jules Higiro

Country Director

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Gloria Nyiramariza

Family Coordinator

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Julius Twahirwa

Education Coordinator

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Sylvine Mukagatete

Community Support Manager

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Marcel Iradukunda

Sponsorship Manager and Public Relations

 

Our ECDC Caregivers

 

  Nadine Kamikazi

  Espèrence Nyirangabire

  Betty Nyirahabineza

  Françoise Bayavugirubusa

  Béatrice Nakure 

  Dativa Masengesho 

  Naome Nyiramana 

  Drocelle Tuyizere

SHELTER THEM RWANDA BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Jules Higiro - Country Director

Jocelyne Alexandre - Chair

Cyusa Mucyowiraba Léandre - Trustee

Sandra Haile Brugger - Trustee

David Jenkins - Fundraising Director

Golou Naderi - Risk Governance and Audit Trustee

Immaculee Kayitare - Trustee

George Kwehangana - Trustee

Shelter Them Canada Board of Trustees

Josephine Murphy - Chair                                                            Jocelyne Alexandre - Vice Chair                                                          Jim Banning - Treasurer                                                                    Golou Naderi, - Trustee                                                                  Daphne Wells - Trustee                                                                 Sharon Robson - Trustee
 

Shelter Them USA Board of Trustees

Sharon Banning - President                                                           Sherry Jenkins - Vice president                                                      James Baning - Treasurer                                                                David Jenkins - Secretary
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Rwanda Chapter

Learn more about what’s happening in this chapter and how to get involved.

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North American Chapter

Learn more about what’s happening in this chapter and how to get involved.