Igniting Hope, Building Self-Reliance and Transforming Lives.
Empowering youth and other vulnerable people to create their own path out of poverty – with dignity, purpose, and community.
Envisioning a world where the youth and other vulnerable people grow up safe, strong, and empowered.
Zoe Rwanda Terimbere Empowerment Program works with a community where youth, orphans, and other vulnerable people living in extreme poverty, become secure, healthy, and can take care of themselves and their families.
We empower youth and other vulnerable people through poverty eradication programs by equipping them with skills, knowledge, and startup kits that enable them to move from poverty to complete self-reliance and to never need charity anymore.
Through a three-year program, participants gain knowledge, skills, and input towards self-sufficiency for their families and community.
Empowering Change
For decades, the global response to helping orphans has been largely relief-based, resulting in recipient dependency, donor fatigue, and limited long-term transformation for those in need.
By creating opportunities for youth and other vulnerable people to become skilled, healthy, and connected members of their communities, Zoe Rwanda Terimbere doesn’t just address the symptoms of extreme poverty—it breaks the cycle of poverty and replaces ongoing support with lasting self-sufficiency.
FROM VULNERABLE TO EMPOWERED
Building well-being through care, skills, and strong community connection.
At Zoe Rwanda Terimbere, participants organize themselves into supportive peer groups of 75 to 100 young people. They grow, learn, and thrive together. These groups act as a family, offering encouragement, accountability, and shared experiences.
Over a three-year journey, each group receives access to knowledge through various training accompanied by inputs, financial support, and life skills training. This approach strengthens physical, emotional, social and spiritual health, promotes independence, and builds lasting connections that help individuals flourish in every area of life.
Food Security & Nutrition
We help youth and other vulnerable people grow crops, adopt sustainable farming, and access nutritious food for better health and food security.
Hygiene, health and disease prevention
We educate youth and vulnerable people on sanitation, clean water, and disease prevention, improving health and access to essential services.
Income generating activities
We empower youth and vulnerable people with entrepreneurship, training, and support to build sustainable businesses and strengthen household income.
Access to education
We enable youth and vulnerable people to attend school and gain life skills, vocational training, and literacy for broader opportunities.
Secure housing
We assist youth and vulnerable people in constructing safe homes, enhancing living standards and resilience against environmental risks.
Children’s rights
We raise awareness of child rights, inspiring youth and vulnerable people to protect children and promote justice in their communities.
Community Connection
We foster group formation and mentorship so youth and vulnerable people build strong bonds and supportive community networks.
Spiritual cultivation
We nurture spiritual growth in youth and vulnerable people, encouraging moral values, confidence, and compassion within their communities.
Climate & Environment
We nurture spiritual growth in youth and vulnerable people, encouraging moral values, confidence, and compassion within their communities.
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)
We nurture spiritual growth in youth and vulnerable people, encouraging moral values, confidence, and compassion within their communities.
Youth and other vulnerable people build skills for a lifetime
Callixte
Testimony
Before joining Zoe, Callixte dropped out of school to work as a laborer, while his siblings attended classes irregularly, and he sometimes thought they felt abandoned by God. After being recruited into Zoe’s program, Callixte received training and a grant to start an income-generating project. He launched a clothing business, now selling in more than three local markets. His siblings no longer miss school, as he provides their educational needs. Within one year, Callixte’s life has been transformed, he no longer works for others but runs his own business, earns income, and supports his family with pride and hope.
Every participant thrives within a strong community network
Aime Sandrine
Testimony
Before joining Zoe, Aime Sandrine and her siblings faced extreme poverty and community stigma. Through Zoe’s empowerment program, she received a grant to start a small grocery shop selling food items and household essentials. This opportunity transformed their lives: the family now enjoys two daily meals, the siblings attend school regularly, and they all have health insurance. They also participate proudly in church and community events. Beyond financial stability, Sandrine found emotional support in group activities, where sharing experiences and mutual help freed her from loneliness. Alongside running her business, she actively engages in all group initiatives.
A new chapter beyond graduation
The journey with ZOE Rwanda Terimbere does not end at graduation—it’s just the beginning. Graduates become mentors, business owners, and innovators, continuing to uplift their peers long after the program concludes. The spirit of solidarity they foster transforms not only their lives but the futures of their families and communities.
Let’s make transformation possible – together
When we join hands, we can empower youth and other vulnerable people to become the solution – ending the cycle of extreme poverty from within.
Since 2007 62,983 lives have been empowered by Zoe Rwanda Terimbere through empowerment program.
Explore our 2025 Annual Review to see how sustainable change is taking root across communities and generations.