KN59St, Florida house , 3rd Floor
Kigali City Center /Rwanda
Google map:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/u3E91SFL3R5WajBi6
PREAMBLE
Founded in 2021 by a woman named MUGABEKAZI Denyse, who envisions a world of justice and equal opportunities, Grown to Help (GTH) is an independent, non-governmental, and non-profit organization based in Kigali. It is registered and operates in accordance with Rwandan law. The organization focuses on activities in education and youth empowerment, women’s economic empowerment, food security, and environmental protection in both urban and rural areas.
FOUNDER MOTIVATION / MUGABEKAZI Denyse
Born and raised in a vulnerable slum community, the
driving force behind my changemaking work stems from the heartbreaking
realities I have witnessed in my neighborhood since childhood. Many families
live in precarious conditions, with women, often widows or abandoned by their
spouses due to adultery, addiction, or irresponsibility, bearing the weight of
caregiving with minimal financial resources. These large families struggle to
meet their basic needs, and the children bear the brunt of this adversity. The
lack of resources leads to devastating outcomes such as limited access to quality
education, school dropouts, unwanted pregnancies, physical and psychological
abuse, and so on.
I firmly believe that education is the cornerstone of
human and intellectual development, as it provides children with the tools to
forge a brighter future for themselves, their families, and the country at
large. Yet, the cycle of poverty keeps many from accessing this transformative
opportunity. Without education, these children are trapped in a life of limited
prospects, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
This is why I founded Grown to Help (GTH), a Civil
Society Organization dedicated to building a community where vulnerable
families can achieve improved well-being and sustainable economic independence.
Through our programs, we empower children, youth and women with skills, tools,
and financial support that make them competitive in the labor market, breaking
the chains of poverty and unlocking new opportunities for a better future.
My work is deeply rooted in the values of compassion,
equity, and empowerment. I am inspired by the resilience of these families and
driven by the belief that every child deserves a chance to thrive. This mission
is not just a response to the challenges I see but also a commitment to
creating meaningful change in the lives of those who need it most.
CO-FOUNDER MOTIVATION / MBARUSHIMANA Jean Paul
I was born in the Gisagara district, am married and have three beautiful daughters. At the age of 15, I observed the difficulties faced by some families, which in most cases prevent their children from continuing their studies and subsequently have a negative impact on their lives. Being an orphan at the time, my father died when I was 10. I was overly concerned about orphans and told myself that when I grow up, I will find ways to in place a center to care for orphans.
Afterwards, a new policy of raising children in families was adopted and my idea was no longer valid until I met Denyse in 2019, who was my classmate at the time, and whom we had almost the same idea of helping vulnerable children and started the journey since then. We planned to start a local NGO that would look after children from low-income families, supporting them in their education and at the same time helping their respective families overcome extreme poverty.
For me, Grown to Help initiative is a dream come true.
We envision a community where low-income families have an improved well-being, and sustainable economic livelihoods; while their children have acquired skills that make them competitive in the labor market.
We aim to improve the lives of children from low-income families and help their parents develop self-reliance through transformative initiatives in education and youth empowerment, women’s economic empowerment, food security, and environmental protection.
Inclusiveness - Integrity
Empowerment - Equity
Commitment - Courage
GTH respects and values people, especially its members, staff, and rights-holders, for who they are, regardless of their beliefs, gender, color, disability, race, age, socio-economic status, background, or other characteristics. GTH believes that diversity enhances the quality of its programs and amplifies its impact on the society in which it operates. This inclusive approach fosters a more creative, diligent, and hardworking environment, contributing significantly to poverty eradication and creating a better future for children from vulnerable families.
GTH believes that establishing strong ethical and moral principles is essential for fostering its culture of mutual support and respect. GTH also recognizes that effective leadership is fundamental to earning the trust of rights-holders, government entities, partners, and donors. Living with integrity means doing what is right, even when it is challenging or goes unrecognized by others.
Feeling empowered is a fundamental human need that fuels our drive to create positive change in our communities and the world around us. Empowerment enables individuals to make informed decisions, take meaningful action to overcome life’s challenges, and advocate for their rights.
GTH envisions a future where its rights-holders break free from poverty, achieve financial stability, and where their children thrive and compete successfully in the labor market. This vision will be realized through initiatives that support children’s education and empower families to achieve self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
Equitable empowerment and treatment of our rights-holders is one of the strategies to enhance the well-being and resilience of both GTH and its rights-holders, with the goal of fostering sincerity, acceptance, and innovation.
Our value of commitment defines our determination to achieve our goal of advocating for, supporting, and assisting vulnerable families. To build strong and mutually beneficial relationships with our rights-holders, we must understand and recognize that true commitment is essential. It reflects our loyalty, compassion, patience, and persistence in everything we do.
Our value of courage is the foundation of everything we do at GTH. We strive to help our rights-holders understand who they are, their rights, and what they can achieve. We guide them in identifying their needs, accepting their strengths and limitations, and recognizing the remarkable contributions they can make to themselves, their families, society, and the country as a whole.
