About Us
Founder’s story
From the dusty classrooms of Mahama Refugee Camp to the global stage, Don Divin Niyukuri has turned obstacles into opportunities and challenges into change. Living over a decade in the camp, he witnessed firsthand the barriers that refugee youth face in accessing education and opportunities. Rather than letting these circumstances define him, Don Divin transformed his journey into a mission: to create pathways for others to thrive where the odds seemed stacked against them.
In April 2024, he founded the Raise Them Foundation, a youth-led initiative dedicated to breaking down barriers to education for refugee students. Driven by the same spirit of innovation and sustainability, he also launched EcoPig Farming Ltd, a social enterprise empowering youth through climate-smart agriculture, fostering both environmental impact and economic opportunity.
Don Divin’s influence spans across borders through collaborations with iDebate Rwanda, Women for Wildlife Conservation, Tariyaa Travel, and his role as an ACN Ambassador, amplifying youth voices and championing sustainable development across Africa.
His dedication has earned him global recognition: a Rise Global Winner, Mastercard Foundation FAST Fund awardee, and recipient of the Trailblazer Award on Refugee Day, June 20, 2025, celebrating his outstanding leadership and commitment to empowering refugee youth. Currently, Don Divin pursues a degree in Psychology at the University of Bristol, UK, combining academic excellence with a relentless drive to transform the lives of displaced youth and communities across the continent.

Meet the Team Behind the Mission
A dedicated group of refugee youth leaders, mentors, and changemakers working together to empower the next generation.

Abdoul Azizl Irakoze
Program Director

Jean Expert Niyonyishu
Co-Founder and Executive Secretary

Raissa Mpawenayo
Operations Manager

Principie Cyubahiro
IT and Web support officer

Justine Neema
IT Specialist

Odile Niyomugaba
Chief Impact and Partnerships Lead
Our numbers that speak
These achievements inspire us to give our best and continuously push beyond our limits. We are proud to be growing and impacting more lives every single day.
