Recovery, Dignity, and Opportunity for Communities in Rwanda
Friends of Rwanda Iwacu Recovery Center Ltd supports community recovery and resilience with a focus on women and children. We create safe spaces, practical training, and economic pathways so families can rebuild with dignity.
Who We Are
An independent, non‑government, non‑profit organization recognized as a U.S. public charity. We operate community‑based recovery initiatives in and for Rwanda, with coordination from our Atlanta office.
What We Do
We deliver trauma‑informed community support, skills training, and small‑enterprise seed support so families—especially women and children—can heal and thrive.
Vision & Goals
Vision
A compassionate Rwanda where every person can recover, grow, and contribute to community well‑being.
Goals
- Provide safe community spaces and counseling support.
- Facilitate vocational training and micro‑enterprise starts.
- Strengthen local networks of mutual aid and solidarity.
Values
- Dignity and agency
- Transparency
- Community leadership
Core Programs
Iwacu Recovery Hub
A safe space offering counseling referrals, peer groups, and skills labs including craft, agriculture, and small commerce.
Seeds of Hope
Micro‑grants and mentoring for rural women to start or grow income‑generating activities.
Together We Rise
International volunteers collaborate with local leaders to co‑run workshops and community events.
Events
Upcoming: Light for Tomorrow — June 2026
Bring clean, reliable lighting and livelihood tools to 200 rural households through solar home kits and basic business training led by local facilitators.
Selected sectors in the Eastern and Southern Provinces of Rwanda (final site list published in May 2026).
Implementation window: June 2026. Rollout in three waves (Weeks 1–3) with follow‑up coaching in July.
- Community sign‑ups and household assessments (early June).
- Distribution & installation of solar kits (mid‑June).
- Hands‑on training: maintenance, safety, and budgeting (mid to late June).
- Starter micro‑grants for 40 women‑led micro‑enterprises using evening hours for production (late June).
- Technical support teams (with local technicians).
- Training & facilitation assistants.
- Monitoring & data collection support.
Fundraising goal US$50,000 to cover 200 kits, training, local staffing, and monitoring. Transparency report published August 2026.
Click Contact to register interest as a donor or volunteer. We will reply with next steps and onboarding materials.
Recent: Run for Recovery — September 21, 2025
A community run in Kigali with 300+ participants that raised funds for traditional craft training for women. Outcomes: 60 trainees enrolled; 45 completed the first module; 15 new producer groups formed.
Ways to Get Involved
- Volunteer: join field activities or remote mentoring.
- Give: sponsor a solar kit, training cohort, or micro‑grant.
- Share: help spread our mission to your network.
Our Approach
We prioritize community leadership, trauma‑informed practice, and practical, measurable outcomes. Every program includes local capacity building and follow‑up coaching.