Our story
From one young person's struggle to a free school for everyone.
How it started
Imboni Academy began with a simple experience. A young person applied to program after program and failed most of them. Then, finally, he stood up and got through.
That journey left one question: what about the others, the ones who never found the strength to try again? Imboni Academy was started so that no one has to go through that alone.
It was started by a founder together with co-founders: 23 young people from across Rwanda.
Where we have been
Our first phase
Our first phase was productive. We ran tutoring through the Village Class Initiative and the Imboni Academy Scholarship Initiative, which taught a cohort of 60 students leadership skills and the university application process. Our first cohort has graduated.
Since then, life has taken us in different directions. The group of co-founders is no longer together as it was. Some of us went to the western and eastern parts of the world, and others stayed in Rwanda. Many of us are now at university, so we stopped running cohorts.
We did not stop believing that everybody deserves to get the information. So we changed the model.
Where we are going
A free online school for everyone
Instead of cohorts, we are building a free online school for anybody: the dropouts, the elders, and the ones who lost chances to study or do not feel able to sit in a classroom.
Today that means free SAT classes and Imboni Voice, where mentors and universities share trusted information directly with students.
Want to know more about our vision and our five-year projection? Visit us, or contact us, and we will share the full plan. Donors and partners are especially welcome.
admin@imboniacademy.orgVoices from our first cohort
In their own words
Imboni Academy helped me regain my confidence and excel in my studies. I am now on the path to achieving my dreams.
With the support of my mentor, I learned to overcome my challenges and now I feel ready for any opportunity that comes my way.
The leadership training I received at Imboni Academy transformed my perspective. I now aspire to be a role model for others.
Be part of what comes next
Join as a student, mentor or organization, or help us as a donor.