Who We Are
GIFTS Rwanda's mission is to follow the lead of the locals in Rugarika, Rwanda, responding only when invited, to help make real, sustainable change in the village and encourage and support abundant, joyful filled lives.
We do this through creating jobs, housing, schooling, food, and much more. This produces work and economic growth, made possible through the generous donations of our constituents.
We are on a mission to encourage generous giving to promote scalable development. GIFTS Rwanda is unique because we were invited by those we wish to serve, and the work is done by the locals - creating jobs and economic growth. The village we serve is filled with some of the most inspiring people you’d ever want to meet. Their stories of perseverance, faith, and forgiveness are examples for us all. GIFTS Rwanda is run by a team in both Rwanda and the United States.
Our Rwanda team consists of:
We are on a mission to encourage generous giving to promote scalable development. GIFTS Rwanda is unique because we were invited by those we wish to serve, and the work is done by the locals - creating jobs and economic growth. The village we serve is filled with some of the most inspiring people you’d ever want to meet. Their stories of perseverance, faith, and forgiveness are examples for us all. GIFTS Rwanda is run by a team in both Rwanda and the United States.
Our Rwanda team consists of:
Kwizera Innocent is the Legal Representative for GIFTS Rwanda. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political and Public Administration. At 50 years old, he is married and works at the Rwanda Social Security Board, where he is also in charge of pensions.
Habinshuti Paterne is the Assistant Country Director for GIFTS Rwanda. He holds a bachelor's degree in languages. At 39 years old, he is married. Previously, he was a languages teacher at Duha School and a Kiswahili teacher at the University of Tourism, Technology, and Business Studies (UTB).
Uwitonze Chantal is the Cleaner for GIFTS Rwanda. She has completed primary two. At 40 years old, she lives alone with her six children.
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Kayiranga Paul is the Vice Legal Representative for GIFTS Rwanda. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics. At 42 years old, he is married and coordinates the implementation of access to technology at the National Industrial Research and Development Agency. 
Nyiraneza Jeannette is the Secretary of GIFTS Rwanda. She holds a bachelor's degree in Nursing. At 40 years old, she is married and works as a nurse at King Faycal Hospital.
Manirarora Christophe is one of GIFTS Rwanda's night guards. He has completed primary six. At 53 years old, he is married with four children.
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Brigitte Mukanyandwi is the Country Director of GIFTS Rwanda. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and French with Education. At 48 years old, she is married and previously served as Vice Legal Representative and Community Organizer at REAP (Rwanda Education Assistance Project).
Antoine Tuyisenge is the Treasurer of GIFTS Rwanda. He holds a bachelor's degree in Economics with Education. At 43 years old, he is married and works as the Human Resources Manager at Rwamagana District.
Bayavuge Thomas is one of GIFTS Rwanda's night guards. He has completed primary six and is 53 years old. He is married and has nine children.
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Our US team consists of:
- Sharon Shelton: Director
- Annie Mills: Project & Development Manager
- Karina Alvarez
- Albert Alvarez
- Alan Shelton
- Darla Bauer
- Laura Shelton
- Sheryl Jones
How GIFTS Rwanda began:
In August of 2014, Sharon and Karina traveled to Rwanda with several goals in mind. First, was to meet a young student, Souzane Bizumutima, who we have sponsored for two years through the Duha Peace Family organization, which a friend formed as she lived and worked with an organization called REAP, (Rwanda Education Assistance Program). We were thrilled to meet Souzane and to get to know her better. She is beautiful, a very hard worker, and is thriving in her high school, focusing on construction. We even got to meet her beautiful mother, father, brother, and sisters, and felt very blessed.
In August of 2014, Sharon and Karina traveled to Rwanda with several goals in mind. First, was to meet a young student, Souzane Bizumutima, who we have sponsored for two years through the Duha Peace Family organization, which a friend formed as she lived and worked with an organization called REAP, (Rwanda Education Assistance Program). We were thrilled to meet Souzane and to get to know her better. She is beautiful, a very hard worker, and is thriving in her high school, focusing on construction. We even got to meet her beautiful mother, father, brother, and sisters, and felt very blessed.
Sharon walking with child in the village during initial visit to Rwanda in August 2014.
We have many projects!
Sponsor a student, build a house, buy a farm animal. We have lots of options, and there's always something new!
Sponsor a student, build a house, buy a farm animal. We have lots of options, and there's always something new!
