We believe that housing is a human right. Everyone deserves refuge from the elements and to raise their children in a safe and sanitary environment. How does one escape the endless cycle of poverty when they are homeless, earning just a few dollars a week? We envision a world where every family can enjoy safety, security, independence, and a sustainable livelihood once the fundamental need for shelter has been met.
Inshuti of Rwanda is dedicated to providing shelter to genocide survivors, single mothers, hard-working father families, and disabled individuals living in deplorable conditions due to a lack of resources. Our families typically have three or more school-age children. By focusing on younger families, our houses will have a longer-lasting impact by improving their lives early on.
We are committed to creating local jobs by employing a 100% Rwandan team to conduct our programming. Through our house-building projects, we are providing over 150 stable jobs with livable wages for the Inshuti community. Our two-pronged approach to community development provides houses to those living in deplorable conditions and ensures employment for families to support themselves.
Hassan is an Inshuti mason. Before working with us, he spent years building a house for his family brick-by-brick with the small amount of money he earned. The house was constructed with cheap materials, old roofing sheets and the family slept on dirt floors.
We built Hassan's family a new house and provided them with essential items such as; cookware, beds, mattresses, bedding, and a pit latrine. After the first night in his new home, Hassan said, “Up to now, I never would believe that I could own a real house.”
Hassan continues to work hard for his family and is dedicated to improving their lives. He saved money to install metal-framed glass windows and doors and also sends his five boys to private school for a better education.
Rosa’s 1st Trip to Rwanda
April 2011
Rosa travels to Rwanda for the first time with the University of Florida, Arts in Medicine Program. She meets Felix, the program translator and falls in love with Rwanda. She sees a need, but doesn’t yet know how to help.
Solome & Rosa Meet
November 2012
On Rosa’s second trip to Rwanda, she volunteers with a microloan organization. During a home visit, Rosa and Felix meet Solome, and her family, who were living in a corrugated metal structure with a tarp roof. Walking home, Felix turns to Rosa and says, “You should come back next year and build them a house.” Even before Rosa leaves Rwanda, she knows she wants to help Solome.
The 1st House is Built
March 2014
Rosa raises $4,000 and returns to facilitate the construction of Solome’s house. Felix & Rosa begin learning how to build houses in Rwanda.
Inshuti is Unofficially Created
May 2014
When Rosa returns home she raises $9,500 in the hopes of building more houses. This is when Inshuti of Rwanda was unofficially created.
Four New Houses
January 2015
Rosa and Felix assist in the construction of 4 homes and developed the standard Inshuti house model. They also visited Solome, finding she made her house into a home. Her children were clean, in school, happy and healthy.
Inshuti Becomes a Non-Profit
September 2015
Rosa decides that Inshuti needs to become official to help more families. A board of directors is created and 501(c)3 nonprofit paperwork is filed.
The 2016 Build & New Beds
January 2016
Rosa and Felix oversee the construction of 6 new homes. Exceeding our fundraising goal for the year allowed Inshuti to start a new initiative of providing beds, mattresses, and bedding to all house-recipient families.
Inshuti Website Launch
October 2016
For several months Scott and Rosa work at creating a website for Inshuti.
10 New Homes
January 2017
What a successful year! Felix and Rosa oversee the construction of 10 new homes for Inshuti families.
Cookware For Families
February 2017
In 2017, Inshuti started supplying cookware to families. Previously, women were cooking in pots with holes in them or borrowing from neighbors.
The 2020 Build
January 2020
In 2020, we partnered with the local government to build two Umuryango Family homes, which house eight families. In total, Inshuti sheltered 19 families in just one year!
Covid-19 Food Aid
May 2020
As the world faced the Covid-19 pandemic, our Inshuti families suffered under a strict lockdown. We raised $6,000 for emergency food aid to feed over 60 families for several months during Covid.
Campaigns For Families
September 2020
Inshuti launches campaigns for families. Campaigns are run by individuals, schools, or groups who want to support a Rwandan family in need of shelter. They raise money from their circle of friends and family with the end goal of funding the construction of a new house for their Inshuti family. These campaigns allow for more than the building of homes it also builds a bridge between communities.
We Build 15 Houses
February 2021
Committed to helping more people with each build, in 2021 we constructed 15 new houses and provided over 150 local jobs with liveable wages to our growing Inshuti community.
Inshuti Interns
November 2021
Inshuti partners with Talanta and begins offering NGO Management, Digitial Media and Communication internships. The first interns jump into projects and immediately join the Inshuti team.
Inshuti Has An Office
April 2022
We have an office! Right in the heart of the Inshuti community in Rubavu, Rwanda. It’s a place for our team to have meetings, conduct weekly worker payments and host community gatherings.
Two Builds in 2022
October 2022
It’s our first time building houses twice in one year. We constructed another ten houses in October for a total of 20 homes in 2022, allowing us to provide more consistent work to our crews.
Greenwood School Trip
December 2022
Our first school trip! Inshuti collaborates with the Greenwood School to offer a service learning trip for students. It’s a wonderful opportunity for cross-cultural experiences, learning, and building friendships!
Inshuti Volunteers
January 2023
Volunteers come to Rwanda to help with the January building season. We’re not sure who had more fun our workers or volunteers? Either way, we are sure lasting friendships were made.
Partnership with RLP-Jumelage
July 2023
We are so proud to announce our partnership with Partnerschaftsverein Rheinland-Pfalz Ruanda, a German organization that provided a grant for 11 new houses.
Lead Mason Position
October 2023
Inshuti establishes a Lead Mason mid-management position to help run our construction crews. It’s a way to ensure our houses are built up to standard but also supply better paying jobs for employees! Together we our new lead masons we built 36 houses in 2023!
Our Growing Inshuti Communiy
March 2024
We have sheltered 121 families! Our Inshuti community is growing with each year as we build more houses, provide more local jobs, and expand our operations in Rwanda. We are incredibly grateful for the support of our donors, who help make our impactful work possible.