Click on a question below to see its answer:
About Africa New Life
Africa New Life exists to communicate the message of Jesus Christ in word and deed, to Rwanda and all the nations. This ministry will help all peoples to understand the relationship with God available to them through belief in Jesus as Savior. This will be accomplished by providing access to education, leadership training, and healthcare; through church planting and Christian discipleship; and through holistic care for vulnerable children, and women and men in need.
Africa New Life was founded in 2001 as a response to the devastating and lingering impact of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. With millions of Rwandans left in profound poverty and an entire generation of young people left without hope for the future, our founders Dr. Charles and Pastor Florence Mugisha launched a small ministry to get children in school and share the hope and love of Jesus Christ in tangible ways.
Africa New Life staff in Rwanda and in the United States have a close working relationship. We communicate regularly, and staff from each country visit the other routinely. The U.S. office exists to raise funds and generate engagement and enthusiasm by supporting donors and sponsors well in the United States, in order to fund and promote the ministries of the staff in Rwanda.
Yes. Africa New Life Ministries International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and adheres to strict accountability standards. Across all of our ministries, an average of 86% of our expenditures fund programs that benefit students, families, and communities in Rwanda. In 2010, Africa New Life became a proud member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, which accredits organizations based on standards including financial oversight, legal compliance, transparency, and responsible gift stewardship.
We also publish an annual report every year, highlighting both our impact and financials. You can view our financial accountability information here.
You can sponsor a Rwandan student to help them attend school consistently and pursue their dreams, or give to one of the programs and projects that are transforming lives and communities across Rwanda.
Our preferred method of giving is through Bank Withdrawal, also known as Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This method incurs the lowest processing costs compared to credit/debit cards or checks, allowing more of your gift to go toward transforming lives in Rwanda. To learn how to update your financial information, you can watch this short video.
Sponsorship with Africa New Life
Sponsorship with Africa New Life pairs individual sponsors with individual students in Rwanda, providing young people with the opportunity to attend school consistently, covering basic academic costs like uniforms and books, and offering them discipleship and the care of our skilled local staff, including child development officers and community nurses.
Students in our sponsorship program in preschool through Primary 6 (6th grade) are paired with one sponsor each. Students in Senior 1 (7th grade) through our Dream Leadership Academy are paired with two sponsors (or one sponsor supporting at a higher amount) due to higher secondary education costs. Students in our Guardian Angel Program (GAP), regardless of their grade level, also have co-sponsors due to higher costs.
Your sponsorship is changing the life of a student in Rwanda. Because of your support, the student you sponsor will receive an education, school uniforms, scholastic materials, and medical assistance. In addition, students in our program attend monthly Center Days where they enjoy a meal, play games, hear the Gospel, and write letters to their sponsors. Sponsored students also attend Christian camps in their region each year. To learn more about our sponsorship program, please read about our sponsorship promises.
Africa New Life’s Sponsorship Program benefits sponsored students, their families, and their communities. Families receive school fee assistance, scholastic materials, and medical assistance for their child who is sponsored through our program. Parents/guardians have access to free health and education talks given by Africa New Life community nurses. Local churches are planted in the communities in which Africa New Life operates, existing to serve community members and to share the gospel.
Your sponsored student directly benefits from your sponsorship. However, we do not directly distribute money to the student or their families because there is no guarantee that the money would be spent on the student’s education. Instead, your sponsorship donations are placed into a community pool. School fees are paid directly to the school for all sponsored students. From this pool, your sponsored student also receives school uniforms, school supplies, medical assistance, and attends special programs. Sponsored students know their sponsors by name and annually write at least one letter to them.
You are sponsoring a real student, and they profoundly value your sponsorship of their education! Africa New Life will provide you with real information about your sponsored student’s family, community, and educational progress during your time as a sponsor.
The sponsorship guide provides an overview of the program, expectations for sponsors, and tips for building a meaningful relationship with your student. You can download or print it by clicking on your sponsored student’s community name below:
Our commitment is to see every student in our program complete secondary school or the vocational equivalent. We hope you will continue your support for as long as your sponsored student is in the program. However, there is no required time commitment.
When your student graduates or leaves the program, we will notify you and connect you with another student who needs support. Sponsorship is an ongoing commitment, but you may cancel at any time by contacting Africa New Life.
We desire for every student in our program to complete secondary school regardless of their age. Students finish the program upon successful completion of Senior 6, or the vocational equivalent, and our Dream Leadership Academy.
Students in Rwanda must pass each grade level before being promoted. In Rwanda, there are six levels in primary school: Primary 1-Primary 6. At the end of Primary 6, students take national exams to test out of primary school. Students who pass the Primary 6 national exams are promoted to secondary school.
There are six levels in secondary school: Senior 1-Senior 6. Students will take national exams again at the end of Senior 3 to test into Senior 4. At the end of Senior 6, students will take their final national exams and will graduate from secondary school if they pass. If they do not pass their exams, they are encouraged to repeat Senior 6. The Senior 6 national exam results also determine students’ eligibility for post-secondary education.
Upon secondary school completion, students begin attending our Dream Leadership Academy during the gap time between secondary school and the students’ next steps. This program provides students with valuable discipleship and entrepreneurship training after the completion of their secondary schooling. Learn more about the education system in Rwanda.
Our policy is to sponsor only one student per family, to spread the gift of education further throughout the communities we serve, protect parental dignity, and avoid creating dependency. Exceptions are rare and must be initiated, advocated for, and approved by our Rwandan team.
We do encourage you to ask your sponsored student about their family and pray for them. In Rwandan culture, especially for families experiencing material poverty, people are much more open to sharing their possessions than we tend to be in the U.S. Keep in mind that gifts sent to your sponsored student will inevitably be shared with their siblings, cousins, or neighbors.
Names in Rwanda are more fluid than in the U.S. While we share a last name with our family, Rwandans traditionally do not. The first name listed is typically a Kinyarwanda name, and the second name listed is typically an Anglo or Francophone name. Sponsored students may answer to either name. You’ll often hear the U.S. staff refer to students using the second name listed since it is usually easier for us to pronounce. Next time you write a letter to your sponsored student, you’re welcome to ask by which name they prefer for you to address them and if their name has a special meaning.
ENGAGING WITH YOUR SPONSORED STUDENT
Absolutely! Writing letters is a meaningful way to build your relationship with your student. You are welcome to write up to four times per year, and replies are typically shared electronically within 8-12 weeks. Students write reply letters during monthly Center Days in their communities, and you can expect to receive an annual letter each summer.
For guidance in communicating with your sponsored student, please review our writing tips and letter-writing resources.
Students are not allowed to communicate with their sponsors outside of letter writing through Africa New Life. Social media, phone, and email communication are strictly prohibited to protect both students and sponsors. Do not connect with your sponsored student or their relatives through phone, email, or social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. This helps us protect both sponsors and students from inappropriate or confusing situations.
Students sign a communication agreement upon registration and can be removed from our program for violating this policy. Please read our communication policy for more guidance.
Africa New Life has highlighted the most timely and pressing prayer requests for students and families in our sponsorship program in this 12-month Prayer Guide to help sponsors faithfully come alongside them in prayer.
Our Online Store offers items that meet the tangible needs of students and their families, including food, clothing, and hygiene items. You can order gifts for your sponsored student or a student in need and have them purchased locally and delivered directly to your student! Learn more here.
Bring a taste of Rwanda into your home by trying out a delicious Rwandan recipe. Or visit this page for more more ideas on how to engage.
Yes. Depending on availability you can join one of the many team trips to Rwanda throughout the year. Trips to Rwanda cost approximately $2,000 plus airfare per person for an 8 day, 8 night stay with Africa New Life. Email [email protected] to express your interest in going to Rwanda. Click here to visit our Team Trip page.
