Who are we, and what does our mission provide?
Bright Africa Foundation was founded in 2022 by three University students in Rwanda who recognized the various villages in rural areas and upside country are severely struggling with poverty.
We work at the critical intersection to provide skills, knowledge, and resources to create sustainable change for women, their families, and the community.
At BAF, we give children an opportunity to quality education, daily meals with nutrition, and opportunities for single mothers to learn to earn money for self-sustainability. We carry out community discipleship in the regions where we operate.
Why are we unique?
Meet our team
The majority of our Rwandan staff are former sponsored children who personally experienced the life-transforming effects of being sponsored out of poverty. Many of them have professional experience working for other sponsorship organizations and bring a unique "boots to the ground" perspective to our foundation. They understand firsthand the needs of the community we serve and are passionate about finding solutions to the needs of the people in poverty.
Our American staff are volunteers who support our mission and visit Rwanda to shepherd, visit sponsored children, visualize new growth opportunities, and verify accountability within the foundation.
I am Eric
In 2022, Eric IRADUKUNDA founded BAF together with his colleague Jean Eric BIZIMANA. Eric brings years of experience working with kids of all ages and backgrounds. Prior to BAF, Eric worked with Eden’s Child, and Women and Youth in need. Eric was raised and educated by the Asante Children’s Choir and later joined Eden’s Child as a sponsored child. He joined Asante’s sponsorship program at four years old. Growing up in similar circumstances, Eric always had a passion for helping the poor, the orphan, and street children. It was this passion that led him, along with his colleagues, to establish BAF. Eric is completing university in the faculty of information technology. In his spare time, Eric enjoys internet surfing, watching NBA, Listening to music, reading the Bible, and getting creative in the kitchen.
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Born into a family of 5 children02
He serves God and loves telling bible stories to the kids03
Eric is a project manager and designer
I am Jean Eric
In 2009, Jean Eric BIZIMANA joined the Asante children’s choir where he was raised and educated. He joined this sponsorship program after losing both his parents at the age of 7 years. Growing up in a similar condition, Eric always had a heart of giving back to the poor and also the orphans. In his free time he loves being around kids and also sharing with them inspirational stories.
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Teaches dance moves to kids02
Excellent hard worker to help achieve BAF mission03
BAF Finance Director
I am Yvette
Yvette MUHAWENIMANA married and mother of one son, She was raised and educated by the Asante children’s choir and was sponsored in Eden’s Child. After high school, Yvette started serving as Eden’s Child Muhanga Program director from December 2019 until June 2023 before she got married. Yvette is currently the BAF’s children coordinator, she loves serving children so much. Yvette also enjoys singing with her beautiful voice.
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Gifted musician02
Loves teaching music to children03
Wonderful worshiper
I am Dacia
Dacia Rutske, residing in Montana is the American representative for BAF, creative director and social media coordinator. First meeting Eric on a missions trip to Rwanda in 2023, he shared with his hearts desire to help the children that so desperately need it. Dacia and her husband became missionaries to Rwanda to help several organizations with American support. They fell in love with the culture, the people, and most of all the mission they hold to give a hand up, not a hand out to the families in need.
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I have a huge soft spot for children, and women who just need extra support02
Multiple business arena experience, multi-organization volunteer, Christian missionary03
Married 26 years, both USAF military veterans with 2 grown men children, one currently serving in the USAF
I am Sherrie
Sherrie Gentry resides in Alabama, she is currently volunteering as a local child sponsorship coordinator. About seven years ago Sherrie and her husband went on their 1st mission trip to Rwanda. That trip to the most beautiful African country in the world, changed her heart and world view of mission work.
Today and since that mission trip they have sponsored a boy through Eden's Child and recently began sponsoring a little girl through Bright Africa Foundation.
Please consider sponsorship for a child in need, it will make such an impact in their life, and yours.
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We sponsor two children, one boy and one girl02
We loved our trip to Africa, it changed our hearts forever03
Our mission is to help other children receive sponsorship from our local area
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