What is Rwanda Rising?

Rwanda Rising is an initiative of the Kittelson Charitable Foundation that aims to create transforming educational opportunities for Rwandan students who have both the ability and the personal motivation to succeed in school and life, but are unable to continue their schooling without our support.

In addition to nearly 50 students who are currently enrolled in good-quality Rwandan schools at the Primary, Secondary, and University levels, two Rwandan Scholars are currently attending universities in the United States.

Who are the Rwandan Scholars?

Ephrem Rukundo is a graduate student at the University of California at Davis, studying International Agricultural Development. He enters his second year of study with a 3.6 GPA. Ephrem also works as a Teaching Assistant at UC Davis, providing guidance to other students and class support to his professors. He intends to return to Rwanda after completing his masters degree, and we are confident that the combination of his educational background and his personal motivation and drive will make him an important contributor to Rwanda’s continuing economic recovery and growth.

Ivan Mutabazi is a freshman at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. Ivan was among the first students KCF adopted into its program in 2007 and he excelled in his school work, finishing second in his high school class. He was accepted into George Fox’s 2011-2012 freshman class on the merits of his academic record, and plans to major in International Business and/or Finance.