Ejo – Rwanda Project
Ejo stands for “tomorrow” in Kinyarwanda, the official language of Rwanda and Jeau-Claude’s, Umoja’s Founder, native country.
As the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide of 1994 approached, Jeau-Claude went back to Rwanda to his childhood village, Kabura to do what he does best: turn horror into healing by bringing communities together, building hope, unity, and peace for children who have grown up in the shadows.
“Ejo Youth Project” is designed around the foundational principle of community ownership. It will bring music, sports, education, tutoring, vocational and entrepreneurship training, and food security to youth and their families in Kabura.
Our progress so far
At the Ejo Youth Program in Rwanda, we’re excited to share progress from Kabura, where vital discussions at both the community and policy levels are underway. Through preliminary consultations with community members, we’ve collaboratively designed a project spanning three phases, ensuring it meets the needs of the area. Encouragingly, the community has pledged its support by committing to contribute labor to the construction effort. Moreover, significant endorsements have been received, with visits from esteemed figures including the Kayonza mayor, provincial Governor, and Rwanda Minister of Local Government. Their commitments to provide essential resources such as water and electricity underscore a shared dedication to fostering community development in Kabura.
Clean Water initiative
Jean-Claude Munyezamu, a native of Kabura, Rwanda, now residing in Canada, has launched the Ejo Youth Project in his hometown. Inspired by his success with the Umoja Community Mosaic in Calgary, Jean-Claude aims to foster hope and unity in Kabura, still recovering from the aftermath of the Rwanda Civil War. The project’s initial phase includes digging a 700-meter water line trench to provide clean water to Umurava School and the planned community center. This effort marks a pivotal step towards improving living conditions and building a brighter future for Kabura’s youth through education, sports, and vocational training.
Learn more about the initiave in Rwanda
To build momentum on these efforts,
and in acknowledgment of Jean Claude
Munyezamu’s contributions to Canada,
Rwandans who lost their lives in
the genocide against Tutsi,
we invite you to join UMOJA as we
bring hope and healing to Kabura.
Rwandans who lost their lives in
the genocide against Tutsi,
we invite you to join UMOJA as we
bring hope and healing to Kabura.
Rwandans who lost their lives in
the genocide against Tutsi,
we invite you to join UMOJA as we
bring hope and healing to Kabura.
and in memory of the one million.