About Us

Bridge of Hope is a child-focused organization founded in 2018, aiming to provide access to education, health, and nutrition for vulnerable children, promote and protect their rights, and empower their communities through family transformation programs.

At Bridge of Hope, we focus on the holistic development of underprivileged children in every aspect of their lives, including educational, physical, emotional, moral, and social development.
Explore our website to learn how you can be part of our journey in nurturing young dreams and building a brighter future for all.

MISSION
VISION
COMMITMENT
MOTTO

To provide access to advanced education programs for children from early childhood to early adulthood, and to participate in the spiritual growth of the youth in their communities.
To create an environment with sustainable social welfare, integration and assistance in the development of vulnerable children by supporting them through education programs.

To transform communities with education and community development programs encompassed by the love of God.

We are committed to create an environment of sustained social welfare and spiritual awareness and maturity.

Our organization’s motto:
Give Hope to the Hopeless.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
(Jeremiah 29:11)

Message from the Chairperson

MPUNGA B Goreth

Dear Friends and Partners,

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire team at Bridge of Hope, we warmly welcome you to our ministry’s website. It is a privilege to serve our communities together, and we are continually grateful for God’s goodness in our mission to transform the lives of vulnerable children and families in Rwandan communities. The impact of our collective efforts has been truly remarkable.

Since our initiation, we have remained committed to ensuring that every child has access to education, healthcare, protection, and opportunities that enable them to flourish.

Thanks to our dedicated staff, volunteers, and partners we have witnessed incredible progress from expanding Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs to advocating for children’s rights and empowering families through community based initiatives. These achievements stand as a testament to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and partners who work tirelessly to bring hope where it is needed most.

While we celebrate our successes, we also recognize the challenges that remain. Many children still face barriers to education, healthcare, and basic needs. It is our shared responsibility to continue this journey, expanding our impact and ensuring that no child is left behind.

I invite you to join us in this noble cause.

Together, we can create lasting change and build a positive future for the next generation.

Thank you for your remarkable support and belief in our vision.

With gratitude,

Mrs. MPUNGA B Goreth
Chairperson of the Board
BRIDGE OF HOPE

Elie NSHIMIYIMANA

Founder & Executive Director

Elie NSHIMIYIMANA is the Founder and Executive Director of Bridge of Hope. With a deep passion for child development and community transformation, he has been actively engaged in ministry and community work since 2012, bringing 13 years of experience to his mission.

Elie has received extensive training from various organizations, including Peace Plan Rwanda, and became a Community Peace Trainer (CPT) in 2013. In this role, he worked alongside local churches and community leaders, gaining expertise in Community Transformation Programs and home visitation methodologies.

He is a member of the NGO Founders Global Network and serves as a Board Member of the Rotaract Club of Kigali Kalisimbi. Additionally, he actively participates in various children’s initiatives, contributing to their holistic development. Elie holds multiple certifications in child care, youth programs, leadership, and biblical studies.

He is also a graduate and alumnus of the WBS Training Program Cohort 2022.
In 2018, Elie founded Bridge of Hope, which was officially registered in Rwanda in December 2021. Alongside his dedicated team, he has worked tirelessly to support vulnerable children and families by providing access to education, healthcare, and community development opportunities.

Besides leading Bridge of Hope, he also serves as the President of Rising Stars Sports Center, a sports initiative dedicated to nurturing children and youth by developing their athletic talents. He holds a License D in football coaching for grassroots programs and is deeply passionate about empowering young athletes, especially in rural communities.

We invite you to join the Bridge of Hope family in its mission to build a brighter future for the next generation.

Let’s join hands to bring hope to the hopeless.

THE JOURNEY

Bridge of Hope began with Elie NSHIMIYIMANA’s deep passion for serving those in need. After seven years of working in underprivileged communities, Elie was driven by a desire to bring hope and life changing, particularly to children and vulnerable families. His mission focused on community transformation and empowering individuals to rise above poverty.
Elie’s journey began in Kanyinya and Cyabatanzi villages in Gasabo District, where he supported widows, empowered youth, and ensured children had access to education and healthcare. He established savings programs and worked closely with local churches and leaders to promote sustainable development. Through his efforts, Elie sought to address the root causes of poverty, striving to help families thrive with dignity and independence.
Deeply rooted in his faith, Elie’s passion for helping vulnerable children, especially through education, was central to his mission. His personal experiences and commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty led him to focus on improving education and community development as well as contribute to his country.
In 2012, Elie’s path was directed by God towards rural community development. Equipped with training and hands-on experience, he founded Bridge of Hope in 2018, aiming to provide vulnerable children with access to education, healthcare, and support systems, while addressing the root causes of poverty for families.
Through Bridge of Hope, Elie’s vision of empowering children and families to create better lives is becoming a reality. With the support of our team and partners, we believe that children across Rwanda will continue to benefit from our programs.
As the Bridge of Hope team, we are actively creating change. By aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we raise awareness about the challenges faced by children in extreme poverty. Our focus is on nurturing each child’s potential, fostering hope, and initially giving hope to the hopeless.
Through education, healthcare, and community-driven initiatives, Bridge of Hope strives to provide vulnerable children with the opportunities they need to thrive and reach their full potential.
We are grateful for the support that has made this journey possible and remain committed to transforming more lives along the way.

CORE VALUES

Prayer

We believe in the power of prayer as a guiding force in our work, seeking divine guidance in child development initiatives.

Compassion

Our approach is rooted in deep empathy, striving to alleviate suffering and promote the well being of children and families.

Integrity

We maintain the highest standards of honesty and ethical conduct, ensuring accountability in all child development programs.

Servant Leadership

We lead by serving the needs of vulnerable children, placing their growth and development at the forefront of our actions.

Collaboration

We work closely with partners and communities to maximize the impact of our child development efforts, fostering collaboration for sustainable change.

Sustainability

Our programs are designed for long-term impact, focusing on environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable practices to support children’s growth and development.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

According to UNICEF Rwanda, an important number of children, particularly those from disadvantaged communities, lack access to essential Early Childhood Development (ECD) services. Nearly 800,000 children suffer from stunting due to continuing malnutrition, and only 18% of children aged 3 to 6 have access to preschool programs. For children under 3, access is even more limited, with just 1% benefiting from ECD services.

Furthermore, many home environments lack stimulating activities, with only one in five parents engaging in early learning with their children. This absence of support during the critical early years delays cognitive, language, and socio-emotional development, leading to poor school performance and limited future opportunities.

Addressing these challenges is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering children to reach their full potential as future change-makers in their communities.

To tackle these issues, Bridge of Hope Organization is committed to strengthening Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Rwanda through a complex approach:

Establishing and supporting ECD centers to provide comprehensive early learning and child development services.
Enhancing caregiver capacity through training and resources to improve child education practices.
Promoting spiritual and social development among youth to foster strong moral and ethical values.

Together, these initiatives aim to break the cycle of poverty, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to thrive, succeed, and contribute positively to their communities.

Right to Education

In many African countries, including Rwanda, education faces significant challenges, as highlighted by the World Economic Forum. Globally, millions of children particularly in Africa remain out of school, with many living in conflict zones, fragile states, or rural areas. These barriers contribute to high dropout rates, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where cultural norms, inadequate facilities, and child labor demands often prevent children from accessing education.

To address these challenges, efforts are being made to protect vulnerable children, particularly young girls at risk of early pregnancies and school dropouts. Low preschool enrollment often leads to child labor, while poor literacy rates further increase dropout rates. In many cases, families struggling to meet basic survival needs prioritize immediate sustenance over education, making it difficult for children to stay in school.
In response, initiatives like the URUHONGORE ECD CENTER (Early Childhood Development Center) have been established to provide holistic early education support. These centers work closely with local primary schools to reduce dropout rates among underprivileged children, transforming education into a pathway for success and social mobility.

Although Rwanda has made significant progress in ensuring the right to education, challenges persist. Despite near-universal access to primary education and gender parity, many students still lack strong foundational skills. Additionally, high repetition and dropout rates continue to hinder progress.
Bridge of Hope remains committed to advocating for every child’s right to education, ensuring that children in vulnerable communities have access to learning opportunities.

By securing education as a fundamental right, we aim to empower the next generation to become change agents in their communities and society.

General situation of child Labour in Africa

Child labor is a significant issue in Africa, with around 92 million children affected, making up one in five children on the continent. This makes Africa the region with the highest prevalence of child labor globally. Many children work in hazardous conditions in sectors such as agriculture, mining, and domestic work, particularly in rural areas where poverty and lack of education drive families to rely on child labor for survival.

The root causes of child labor in Africa include extreme poverty, inadequate access to quality education, and limited employment opportunities for adults. Additionally, crises such as conflicts, natural disasters, and climate change exacerbate the situation by disrupting livelihoods and increasing the economic vulnerability of families.

The continent also has the lowest social protection coverage in the world, with 83% of the population lacking any form of social protection, making children more susceptible to exploitation.

Efforts to combat child labor focus on addressing these root causes by ensuring free and quality education, promoting decent work for adults and youth, and expanding social protection to reduce poverty.

Successful initiatives, like the health insurance model in Côte d’Ivoire that involves agricultural cooperatives, demonstrate the potential of innovative, locally-driven solutions.

These efforts, supported by African governments and international organizations, are essential for creating a future where children in Africa can grow up free from the burden of labor.

Meet the Leadership

The Bridge of Hope Team is committed to serving in child development projects by educating children, providing medical care and health services to our community, advocating for children’s rights, and supporting family transformation through our impactful initiatives.

Our staff operates under their respective governing boards, working together to achieve a shared vision for Bridge of Hope