Refugee Youth Changemakers (RYCM) was founded out of a deep commitment to address the significant challenges faced by young refugees in Rwanda and beyond. Recognizing the urgent need for sustainable support systems, a group of passionate young leaders, many with personal refugee backgrounds, came together to create a platform that could empower their peers through education, mentorship, and community engagement. With initial support from organizations like the Mastercard Foundation and World University Service of Canada (WUSC), RYCM launched programs focused on equipping young refugees with essential life skills and providing access to scholarship opportunities. Their aim was to create an organization that could break the cycle of dependency by providing young refugees with the tools to succeed independently.

Since its inception, RYCM has grown steadily, adapting its approach to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves. Early on, the organization focused on understanding the specific barriers that prevented refugee youth from accessing quality education and professional opportunities. This led to the development of targeted programs in areas like entrepreneurship, communication skills, and computer literacy. By partnering with local and international stakeholders, RYCM was able to expand its reach, conducting workshops, organizing mentorship initiatives, and actively engaging refugee communities in the process of transformation. Through these efforts, RYCM has established itself as a trusted organization dedicated to fostering resilience and independence among young refugees.

Today, RYCM is a dynamic, youth-led nonprofit organization that continues to innovate and expand its impact across Africa. Driven by the core values of empowerment, resilience, community, and opportunity, RYCM strives to create pathways for young refugees to build brighter futures. The organization’s vision remains clear: to ensure that every young refugee has the chance to realize their full potential, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and inspire change. Through the continued dedication of its team and support from partners, RYCM is committed to scaling its programs and touching the lives of more young refugees every year.