RWANDA
The Legacy of Resilience
Rwanda’s history is shaped by the tragedy of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, during which more than one million people were killed in one hundred days. While the country has made significant progress in rebuilding its social, economic, and political systems, the effects of this history continue to impact many communities. Today, Rwanda is recognized for its strong and sustained economic growth over the past decades, driven by key sectors such as services, agriculture, and infrastructure (World Bank, 2024). Poverty rates have declined in recent years; however, many children and youth from vulnerable families still face barriers to education and opportunity, particularly in rural and underserved communities (UNICEF, 2023).
The founding members of MindLeaps began working with different partner organizations in 2010. MindLeaps then established its permanent center in Nyamirambo, Kigali in 2014. Through our evidence-based program, MindLeaps provides a safe, structured environment where children and youth can develop cognitive and life skills that support their transition into education and employment. Today, MindLeaps Rwanda serves youth from vulnerable families across the country, including those in refugee communities, equipping them with the tools and support they need to succeed and contribute to Rwanda’s continued growth.
Mame Gedeon's Story
Gedeon, an 18-year-old student, was born and raised in Nyamirambo, Kigali, and is known for his outstanding academic performance. He joined MindLeaps in 2022 while in Grade 7 after being recommended by his school for his strong academic results and his family’s financial need. According to Gedeon, "Education is my only pathway to independence and to supporting my family." Although academically strong, Gedeon initially struggled with confidence. He was shy and hesitant to collaborate with others. Through the MindLeaps dance program, he gradually developed self-esteem, communication skills, and confidence. Within six months, he began supporting his peers by helping other students review their classwork. At the same time, his curiosity expanded, leading to new interests in music and computers.
Gedeon is known for his exceptional memory, which resembles a photographic memory. His ability to absorb, retain, and apply information consistently sets him apart. In the 2022–2023 academic year, he achieved the highest Grade 9 national examination results at both his school and across the country! This achievement led to his placement by the Rwandan government at École des Sciences de Byimana, one of Rwanda’s most competitive public schools. Since Grade 10, Gedeon has consistently ranked first in his class and currently maintains an average score of 92.76% in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology. In recognition of his academic potential, he was selected in Grade 10 to participate in the Isomo and Bridge2Rwanda programs, highly selective initiatives that prepare Rwanda’s top performing students for advanced academic pathways usually outside of the country.
Inspired by Dr. Ben Carson, Gedeon aspires to become a neurosurgeon and hopes to attend a leading university in the United States, with a strong interest in UC Berkeley. He is now preparing for Rwanda’s Grade 12 national examinations in July 2026, where he aims to achieve the top national ranking!
Jim Bell Centre
The MindLeaps center in Kigali, opened in 2014, has been dedicated to the memory of Jim Bell, a humanitarian, educator and long-time supporter of MindLeaps. His Level 8 Projects, a charity based in Carnoustie, Scotland, has supported the MindLeaps center in Kigali over the years with capital improvements and renovation projects. The Kigali center has appropriately been named The Jim Bell Centre in his honor. At the center, vulnerable and at-risk children and youth from the community join the MindLeaps Dance & Data program, which targets critical cognitive and social-emotional learning skills. The dance curriculum is designed to develop these skills and reinforce positive patterns of behavior. The work of the center extends beyond this core program to provide educational support through academic acceleration courses, tutoring, IT classes and school sponsorship. MindLeaps’ holistic approach includes a daily meal program, health and nutrition studies, sexual and reproductive health workshops, and a family strengthening program that reaches out to the families and community as well. MindLeaps also runs Train The Trainer programs at the center to prepare new teachers in the MindLeaps methodology. The Jim Bell Centre staff is entirely local and includes male and female dance teachers, social workers and support staff. They understand the challenges faced by their communities, and are important role models for the students, providing emotional support and positive encouragement to build confidence in and out of the classroom Since its opening, the center has served over 1500 children and youth.
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MindLeaps-UNHCR Program
MindLeaps’ program with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees launched in 2018 with 60 youth leaders from the six refugee camps in Rwanda. Refugee youth leaders spent one month training with MindLeaps trainers on dance and Tracker skills. Out of the sixty youth, thirty-eight refugee leaders were hired to run the MindLeaps program in their home camps. Through the UNHCR program, through 2019, MindLeaps served 450 children and youth in the refugee camps. During 2020, in-person dance classes were shut across the camps due to Covid- 19. However, trainers throughout the camps continued to participate and develop their skills through the Virtual Academy. In 2021, these youth began teaching the Virtual Academy to 100 students in the camps. In late 2021, dance classes were able to resume across all the camps. In 2022, MindLeaps was able to reopen classes in three camps (where we were most impactful), Mahama, Mugombwa, and Kiziba, and is now serving 120 kids in the camps.
MindLeaps in Nyabihu
In Nyabihu, in western Rwanda, MindLeaps has launched a pilot program with local partners Chance for Childhood and Empowering Children with Disabilities. The program is aimed at advancing the lives of children and youth with disabilities, who can face stigma and discrimination due to their disability. As of 2022, twelve trainers are teaching 126 deaf children and youth from the community. MindLeaps adapted its curriculum to the needs of deaf children, and in 2021 ran its first Train the Trainer program to teach deaf and hard of hearing youth to become dance teachers for the deaf. The beneficiaries of the MindLeaps curriculum are children from the Nyabihu School for Deaf Children.
MindLeaps’ students performing at the Ubumuntu Arts Festival in July 2024
Choreography: Key’Aira Lockett
Rehearsal Director: Caitlyn Casson
Congratulations to all-girls cast: Deliphine, Solange, Honorine, Sifa, Queen, Gisele, Kellia, Pierrine, Kelia, Celelina and Honorine