Our Impact

Rwanda Girls Initiative has sought state-of-the-art solutions for the most common issues facing the people of Rwanda, and education. Through the practice of innovation, we have demonstrated to our students that success comes with taking calculated risks. Our active advancements in agriculture, technology, and student entrepreneurship, has taken the national curriculum and created a model program.

Transforming Education: 528 Graduates to date

528 inspired leaders graduated from Gashora Girls Academy

In Rwanda approximately 12% of girls graduate from secondary school.

Everyday at Gashora Girls Academy, we have the privilege of educating and inspiring 275 dedicated and passionate young women through our innovative model of education that combines strong college-prep academics, along with health, social and emotional development and extracurricular programs.

We holistically develop our students passions, interests, leadership, competitive and entrepreneurial spirits, and athletic pursuits.

Global Impact: Alumnae at 142 universities in 26 countries

Alumnae studying in 142 universities in 26 countries

In Rwanda, only 6% of girls go onto university.

Girls education, specifically secondary education, is one key to overcoming global challenges. GGAST alumnae are continuing their education at 142 different universities in 26 countries around the world in preparation to return to Rwanda, and fulfill their dreams to help lead and transform the nation. These young women will be the next generation of scientists, social entrepreneurs, advocates and thought leaders, who will bring solutions to the biggest global challenges we face.

List of Schools

Women in STEM: Educating future STEM leaders

Africa has fewer than 100 scientists per million inhabitants

STEM and economics are threaded together. It leads to job creation with ripple effects seen in areas such as housing and community development.

From urbanization, to agriculture, to climate change, we need science, technology and innovation to secure a prosperous future. It is estimated that Africa will need to increase the training of scientists, technicians and engineers to meet the future needs of the continent.

Showcasing Technology

Economic Growth: Secondary education boosts girls' wages by 15-25%

The estimated Lifetime Earning Potential of a Gashora Girl is $627K compared to Average Rwandan Woman earning $141K

As GGAST welcomes more and more alumnae back to the country after completing their tertiary education, we remain committed to our mission in helping them become agents of change through successful and fulfilling careers. The recently added Alumnae Program is focused on ensuring the best outcomes for our graduates through career counseling, college preparation, college support, internship placement, and job placement.

Food Security: Our 40 acre farm provides food and training

72% of workers over the age of 16 in Rwanda are farmers, and 82% of those are women

GGAST has a mission aligned passion for helping to strengthen the agricultural practices of Rwandans not only to help nourish its population but to ensure food security for the nation. The country of Rwanda continues to rebuild after the devastating genocide of 1994, focusing on food security will help to ensure the hunger does not trigger new conflict.

Establishing the GGAST farm was the recognition that the future of Rwanda is multi-faceted. Our 40 acre farm and agricultural program allows students to not only learn new farming practices, but they teach the community sustainable farming practices.

Every day, girls face barriers to education caused by poverty, cultural norms and practices, poor infrastructure, violence and fragility.

Poverty remains the most important factor for determining whether a girl can access an education. According to World Bank, giving girls access to schooling is a central part of eradicating global poverty, which says better educated women tend to be healthier, participate more in formal labour markets, have fewer children and marry later.
Educating a girl not only improves her life, but the lives of her family and her community more broadly. In the developing world, 1/3 of girls marry before they turn 18, and the same amount have a child before they turn 20.

We enroll students based on academic potential, and not financial capacity. 100% of our students are on scholarship covering 10-99% of their cost of education. GGAST has enrolled girls' from 29 of Rwanda's 30 districts. In addition to creating rich geographic diversity, this contributes to GGAST being the most socio-economically diverse school in Rwanda, if not East Africa.

Fostering Entrepreneurship & Service: Our students volunteer 6,000 hours a year combined

Developing Leaders

“When I came to Gashora, I realized anything was possible. I spent my whole life with people who told me I couldn't change anything and my dreams were too big. After becoming involved in projects and running a successful business, I realized I CAN DO ANYTHING. My perception of the world has changed from seeing it as impossible to one with possibilities.”
Christine , GGAST ‘16, Duke University ‘21, MasterCard Scholar

“I have many BIG DREAMS, like eradicating Tuberculosis and HIV, but my biggest dream is that the 62 million girls around the world who are without an education find their own Gashora.” Yvonne, ‘2013

Rwanda Girls Initiative is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and your donations are fully deductible in accordance to federal law. Our IRS tax identification number is: 26-3503023. For more information about making a donation, please email us.

By donating to Rwanda Girls Initiative, you are consenting to receive occasional updates about the impact your gifts make possible. If you prefer not to be contacted, please contact Emma Misner at info@rwandagirlsinitiative.org

Rwanda Girls Initiative
P.O. Box 325
Medina, WA 98039

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