ABOUT

THE ORIGIN

Attending University in the neighboring Republic of Congo, Rwanda Rise founder Emmanuel Sitaki, narrowly escaped the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis that eradicated his and so many other families across Rwanda.

Although he survived the genocide, he lived with the constant reminders of an unimaginable loss. Emmanuel returned to the neighborhoods where his loved ones once lived, finding the streets lined with orphans in desperate need and barely surviving. That sight clarified his mission. He recognized God's voice and was reminded of the scripture in the Bible (James 1:27) which calls people to care for orphans and widows.

Emmanuel knew that he had to do something when nine orphans ran up to him on the street and begged for help. His thought was to find homes for them with widows who had tragically lost their loved ones in the genocide. Emmanuel was able to provide shelter and love to numerous orphans in this way.

Ten years later, as all of the orphans were becoming teens Emmanuel began to realize that due to the poverty caused by the genocide many of them did not have the education or training to get a decent job. They were quickly going to become a generation of vulnerable adults, trapped in a cycle of poverty.

THE ORIGIN STORY

Founder, Emmanuel Sitaki

"We need to come up with some way to train them," he said. "They've never been to school and have no money to go to school."

With this vision, Hope Vocational Training Center was born in 2008. Today, Hope Vocational Training Center graduates almost 300 students each year with government accredited certificates in Auto Mechanics, Culinary Arts, Hairdressing, Masonry Construction, Sewing & Tailoring, and Welding as well as computer and business skills training.

Land adjacent to the campus has been purchased and we plan to expand the campus by adding additional training programs and doubling the number of students we equip for the future.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Lots of them! Rwanda is home to one third of the world’s natural mountain gorilla population and three national parks. If you take a trip with one of our teams, you may want to include a safari to Akagara Game Park, about four hours travel to the east from Kigali where you may see all the African Big Five animals. Or, you may want to travel four hours to the northwest from Kigali to go mountain trekking in Volcanoes National Park to visit a family of world famous Mountain Gorillas.

YES! Your investment assures that we are able to provide the highest quality esperience at Hope Vocational Training Center. Not only do we offer intensive training to our students, but so many other things as well. Your support also provides opportunities for student envolvement in extracurricular activities like intermural volleyball and soccer, schoole choir and dance teams, student care teams, and more. Your dollar supports our twenty-five station computer loab where each student is provided weekly training. Each week, the students take our year-long class in entrepreneurship, teaching them how to design a business plan and prepare to start a business after graduation. Our desire is to not only train our students in highly markable skills, but to provide a truly life changing experience while they are a student at HVTC.

BOARD MEMBERS

Fawn Johnson

Chairperson

I vividly recall the news reports of the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. I have always been passionate about matters of justice and I could not understand the failure of the U.S. and other countries to act. A decade later, my church got involved in Rwanda and I hoped I could make a trip there. I was thrilled when Board Member Corky Morse invited me travel to Rwanda in 2019, to meet the students of Hope Vocational Training Center. I was struck by the beauty of the country and its people – and the dramatic impact the school has on the lives of its students and their families. And, I was able to climb up to see the mountain gorillas – an unforgettable experience. I joined the Board in January 2020. A lifelong Seattleite, I own a Real Estate Development Co. with my son. I enjoy spending time with my adult son and daughter, as well as my two Labrador Retrievers.

Emmanuel Sitaki

Founder

See Emmanuel's story above.

Mike Yukevich

Treasurer

Through the years I have come to believe the best way to truly help others is to teach them how to help themselves. Breaking the cycle of poverty is not easy . . . but, by equipping young men and women with vocational skills, this is exactly what Rwanda Rise does. That’s why I am a committed trustee. The 10+ years I invested on the Board of Agros International, along with many trips to Central America have reinforced this conviction. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife and three lively children. I am also the co-founder of Shilshole Development, a real estate development firm in Seattle, WA.

Corky Morse

Secretary

As a business graduate from the University of Washington I have had many opportunities in my life, but the greatest opportunities started with a mission trip I took with my husband and two sons to war-torn Guatemala in 1996. It changed my life and sent me on the journey I am still on. I spent 16 years on the Board of Agros International focusing on breaking the cycle of poverty. In 2014, I took my first trip to Rwanda as a volunteer trauma counselor. The people and their desire to overcome the heartache of the genocide captured my heart and deep respect. I joined the board of Rwanda Rise in 2015 and currently serve as interim Executive Director. In addition to work, I love spending time with my three grandchildren and playing with our two pups.

Drew Welk

Board Member

After a 35-year career I retired from my plastic surgery practice on Jan 1, 2024. My introduction to Rwanda began when my wife secured a 3-year dance scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet for a talented Nyamirambo student named Abou, who lived with us from 2018-2021 . He has since joined the Ballet de Barcelona and is now living in Spain. We visit him regularly in Barcelona and have also traveled to Rwanda several times in the past six years. Our Rwandan travels have been extensive, including visits to several programs and facilities that we continue to support. We have many friends there and have also become friends with Adrien Misigaro, whose talent and missions are a source of inspiration. Adrien introduced me to Emmanuel and ERM. Two students we assist have completed programs at ERM and are doing well in internships. We pray for our friends and families in Rwanda, and for many more visits there during years to come. We are honored to know and collaborate with all those whose love manifests in their support for the people of this great nation.

Adrien Misigaro

Board Member

I am Rwandan and lived in both Congo and Rwanda for 20 years before coming to the United States. I was ten in 1995 when I moved to Rwanda shortly after the genocide. I experienced the tragedy and devastation of those early days first hand. Those memories live in my heart. Today I perform and record Gospel music in the U.S. as well as Rwanda and other countries. I was able to start a nonprofit ten years ago called Melody of Hope and use music as a platform to give hope to youth. Our purpose is to come alongside youth that are struggling and support their efforts to break the cycle of poverty. I am excited to join my nonprofit with Rwanda Rise at the Hope Vocational Training Center to help students grow, prosper and achieve their dreams. Together we can change their futures.

Krysti Emerson

Board Member

In 2008 I was invited by Rwanda Rise to teach sewing to a group of 25 women in Rwanda. I fell in love with Rwanda and the people and have been involved ever since. I am a professional seamstress and run my own business and have been able to use that skill in Rwanda at the Hope Vocational Training Center. I am currently serving as Chairman of the Board for Rwanda Rise. In my free time I love to hike and spend time with my grandchildren.

Tom Zylstra

Board Member

I was first introduced to the value and importance of service to others with a demonstration from an organization called Canine Companions for Independence. I learned about the life changing impact the organization had on individuals who persevered through their physical challenges to be awarded one of these highly trained dogs. Our family became "Puppy Raisers" to help increase the number of well trained dogs; the momentarily pain of returning the puppy after a year and a half was replaced by an overwhelming sense of gratitude after attending a graduation ceremony and spending time with the amazing individuals who were gaining independence.

I spent 12 years volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in Seattle, helping the efficiency of the organization by modernizing technology both in the office and in the field. My greatest satisfaction however came from spending time helping build a house alongside other volunteers and the members of the family that were satisfying their sweat equity obligation.

Rwanda Rise is an amazing organization that offers hope to children and their families who have endured extremely difficult circumstances. The dedication of the staff to make a difference for every child they serve resonates strongly with me. I am honored to be a member of the Board of Directors and join in serving the mission of the Hope Vocational Training Center.