Our Leadership

COMMUNITY-BASED LEADERSHIP Fair Children / Youth Foundation was founded as a community-based organization in the belief that everyone in society has a valuable place and a role to play in creating strong and loving community. FCYF is led by an elected volunteer board that meets quarterly, with representatives from key local groups, including the children, youth and women that the foundation exists to serve. The executive committee contains both volunteer and permanent staff members and meets monthly. Foundation leadership also works collaboratively with other community stakeholders,serves on the Musanze Hospital Board and chairs the Musanze Joint Action Forum FCYF is recognized by the Rwandan government as an authorized non-governmental organization (NGO) at national, district, sector and cell level BOARD MEMBERS (10 women & 5 men) Chairperson: Theoneste Nkuriyingoma Vice-Chair:  Florence Karinganire General Secretary: Elie Nduwayesu Women Representatives: Alphonsine Mukarukundo, Rachel Umutesi, Immaculee Tuyisenge, Madelene Ayinkamiye, Yvette Mutimutuje, Rosette Nyirabataramyi Representative of Deaf People: Justine-Noella Mukanoheri Children Representative: Diane Uwamahoro Local Government Advisors:  Helene Mukasine, Justin Mimi, Peter Dusenge EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (5 women & 3 men) Executive Director: Elie Nduwayesu Vice-Director & Head of Wisdom Nursery School: Bernadette Nyiraburabyo Deaf Children Center Director & Head Teacher: Louis Ngabonziza General Accountant: Gabriel Sendegeya Director of Development and International Partnerships: Midi Berry Children's Representatives: Esther Musabyimana; Solange Uwimana HIV/Aids Representative: Francoise Mukamusoni  DEAF EDUCATION CENTER, NYANGE Justine-Noella Mukanoheri (teacher); Lucie Nyiramugisha (trainer); Jean de Dieu Nkurikiyimana (trainer);  Marie Rose Uwingabire (social worker); Laurent Semana (guard) WISDOM NURSERY & PRIMARY SCHOOL, MUSANZE Joan Ssanyu (teacher); Safari Habimana (teacher) Jennifer Najjuna (teacher) Sylvia Nakimuli (teacher); Oliva Nakku (teacher); Prisca Nukiibi (teacher); David Ahimbisibwe (teacher); ; Jean-Pierre Abyarimana (teacher); Jean-Baptiste Mukiibe (teacher); Daniel Nagasaki (teacher); Gepfrey Nyero (teacher); Vian Rugimba (deputy head); Daniel Surawazo (teacher) Innocent Benimana (guard); Pascasie Mukambuguje (social worker). Newly appointed Wisdom School Head of Studies, Noah Kakembo, will join the team in January 2012 WISDOM NURSERY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: BERNADETTE NYIRABURABYO With a Diploma in Education and Nursery teaching, Bernadette has been the Head of Wisdom Nursery School since it opened early in 2008. She believes Wisdom is a pillar of the community: it provides children with knowledge and skills for their future, thereby strengthening the future of the whole community  Through Wisdom Nursery School, its big sister, Wisdom Primary School, and all FCYF's other integrated educational and training opportunities for children and youth Bernadette wishes to change the lives of all of those children who have been left vulnerable in Musanze as a result of HIV/Aids, war and genocide.  A modest mother of four children (one daughter and three sons), and a devoted teacher whose efforts in and out of the classroom have already touched the lives of hundreds of needy orphans, Bernadette wholeheartedly believes that children are the future of her beloved Rwanda DEAF CHILDREN CENTER LEADER: JUSTINE-NOELLA MUKANOHERI Noella - named thus because she was born on Christmas day - studied at the Butare School for the Deaf. She is expert in International (US & UK) and Kinyarwanda Sign Language and at teaching beginners. She works with the children at FCYF's Deaf Education Center and also trains other teachers to work with the deaf As a deaf woman living in Rwanda, Noella knows only too well the struggle that deaf people face. Slowly the deaf are gaining more responsibilities and status in many sectors. However, at a community level they are still marginalized Noella works with FCYF's deaf students to provide them with the same education that is available to every other hearing child. Her goal is to build good foundations for these children and ensure they all enjoy bright and successful futures

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: ELIE NDUWAYESU Musanze-born Elie Ndwayesu is an internationally recognized practitioner and innovator in psycho-social support for children and adults traumatized by dislocation, violence and disease Elie meets President Barroso of the EU in Brussels on May 24th 2007 In 2007 Elie was invited to Brussels to present the 'Nkudabana' community mentoring program with child-headed households that he had pioneered with CARE to members of the European Union celebrating 50 years since the EU's foundation. He advised the EU on issues facing Rwanda's orphans and the 'Nkundabana' program was judged one of the six most successful programs in Africa ever financed by the Commission Education and Experience With degrees in theology and psychology, and international diplomas in business management, administration and human resource management, Elie has worked directly for and consulted to a variety of local and international NGOs, first in Uganda from 1991-1994, and then in Rwanda, from 1995 until the present day. Organizations with whom he has worked include: CECI (Canadian Center for Studies and International Cooperation), Concern Worldwide, SNV/PRADEC (Dutch), UN World Food Program and CARE International Rwanda client groups with whom Elie has worked include: orphaned child victims of war, ex-child soldiers, internally displaced people and refugees, victims of torture, widows, Aids orphans, people living with HIV/Aids, prisoners and perpetrators of genocide, child-headed households, local community leaders Before establishing FCYF, Elie had delivered programs in: emergency disaster relief; food distribution & nutrition; fighting epidemics; trauma counseling & art therapy; fostering & social rehabilitation; HIV/Aids prevention & home-based care; training community leaders (teachers, police, local government, military); prison counseling; ex-child soldier reintegration; Ingando Unity & Reconciliation Commission: children & women's rights; community mentoring for orphaned households; literacy education; income generating activities What People Say about Elie's Leadership: “He is such an inspiring man and he has a fantastically progressive vision” (Volunteer: UK) “Elie Nduwayesu possesses qualities that I consider vital to sustainable and transformational change in Africa: he is sensitive, committed, entrepreneurial and articulate. Perhaps most important of all, I have observed at first hand that Rwanda’s orphans and vulnerable children trust and confide in Elie” (Partner: South Africa) “Mr. Elie Nduwayesu, a modest man with a big dream for the poor children of Musanze” (Volunteer: Kenya) “Your commitment and passion for the work you are doing is evident. In addition, it was greatly encouraging to learn about your insight and perspective about the education of deaf children in Musanze” (Partner: US) DEAF CHILDREN CENTER DIRECTOR: LOUIS NGABONZIZA   Louis attained a diploma in Law and Philosophy from the National University in Rwanda, and then went on to study sign language at the School for the Deaf in Butare. He developed a passion for working with deaf children and hasn’t looked back since: "I love deaf children, they are incredibly special." Louis collaborated with Elie and others at Fair Children/ Youth Foundation to research the location and circumstances of deaf people living in Musanze District. They found that in just one of 15 sectors more than 250 children were deaf or seriously hard of hearing. In 2007, Elie and Louis opened FCYF's Education Center for the Deaf. In addition to directing the center, Louis teaches the deaf, and also trains others to follow in his footsteps. He has also become an indispensable member of the Foundation's leadership team  As people in the area learned more about FCYF's  Deaf Center, parents and caregivers have become eager to send the deaf children in their care to a school that offers high quality education and is relatively close to home. Louis works hard to remove the stigma deaf children face in Rwanda today by teaching them and helping them develop skills, thus showing others they are as capable as every other child  With his innovative teaching style and his loving and compassionate approach, Louis continues successfully working for and promoting the integration of deaf people into the present and future of Rwanda What People Say about Louis' Leadership: “I’ve visited all the deaf schools in Rwanda and this one is the best! You don’t just get a bunch of good kids! There is a reason why these children are so lovely, and that is because of the way they are treated”  (Rwanda’ s only Audiologist)