Who is BAF?
Bright Africa Foundation was founded in 2022 by three University students in Rwanda who recognized that various villages in forgotten rural areas and farming communities were severely struggling with poverty.
BAF works at the critical intersection to provide skills, knowledge, and resources to create sustainable change for women, their families, and the overall community.
At BAF, we give children an opportunity to quality education, daily meals with real nutrition, and opportunities for single mothers to learn and earn money for self-sustainability. We also carry out community discipleship in the regions where we operate.
Why are we unique?
The majority of our Rwandan staff are former sponsored children from programs just like BAF, who personally experienced the life-transforming effects of being sponsored out of poverty.
Many of them have professional experience working for other sponsorship organizations and bring a unique "boots on the ground" perspective to our foundation. They understand firsthand the needs of the community we serve and are passionate about finding solutions to the needs of the people in poverty.
Our American staff who operate the 501(c)(3) are volunteers who support our mission and often come to Rwanda to shepherd, visit sponsored children, visualize new growth opportunities, and verify accountability within the foundation. Every dollar and asset is accounted for and maintained in the foundation of Biblical stewardship.
IRADUKUNDA Eric
Rwanda Country Director
Meet IRADUKUNDA Eric, the Rwanda Country Director and co-founder of BAF. Back in 2022, Eric teamed up with his colleague, Jean Eric Bizimana, to bring BAF to life—a mission deeply rooted in his own life story. Growing up in a family of five children, Eric’s journey came full circle after joining Asante’s sponsorship program at just four years old. He was raised and educated by the Asante Children’s Choir and later sponsored by Eden’s Child. Because he grew up in the very same circumstances as the kids he now serves, Eric has always carried a deep, personal passion for uplifting orphans, street children, and families facing poverty.
Before launching BAF, Eric spent years honing his skills with organizations like Eden’s Child and Women and Youth in Need, making him an incredible project manager and designer with a wealth of experience working with kids of all ages. Beyond his professional dedication, Eric is deeply devoted to his faith, loves serving God, and genuinely enjoys sharing Bible stories with children.
When he isn’t busy directing operations or managing new projects, Eric likes to keep his mind sharp by diving into research studies or curling up with the Bible. To unwind, you can usually find him catching an NBA game, listening to music, or getting creative and whipping up something delicious in the kitchen.
BIZIMANA Jean Eric
Human Resources
BIZIMANA Jean Eric serves as the Human Resources lead for BAF, bringing both a massive heart and an exceptional work ethic to the team. His journey began under incredibly tough circumstances when he lost both of his parents at just 12 years old. In 2009, he joined the Asante Children’s Choir, where he was raised and educated through their sponsorship program. Having grown up in these exact conditions that he now serves in, Eric developed a lifelong dedication to giving back to the poor and supporting fellow orphans.
An absolute powerhouse of a hard worker, Eric channels his personal experiences into making a real difference for the next generation. In his free time, he loves nothing more than hanging out with kids, sharing inspirational stories to lift their spirits, and even teaching them some fun dance moves. Eric has an exceptional talent for pictures and video and is the BAF cameraman in Rwanda.
MUHAWENIMANA Yvette
Children’s Coordinator
MUHAWENIMANA Yvette is BAF’s Children’s Coordinator, and she brings an incredible warmth and a beautiful voice to the team. A proud wife and mother to a young son, Yvette’s own journey was shaped by the Asante Children’s Choir and the Eden’s Child sponsorship program, which raised and educated her. She knows firsthand the impact of this work, which inspired her to start serving as the Eden’s Child Muhanga Program Director right after high school—a role she dedicated herself to from December 2019 until June 2023.
Today, Yvette channels her immense love for children into her role at BAF, where she connects daily with kids through her deep passion for music. Blessed with a gifted voice, she is a wonderful worshiper who absolutely loves singing and teaching music to the children, using song to inspire and uplift the next generation.
NIYONKURU Jado
Trade School Director
NIYONKURU Jean de Dieu affectionately known by the common Rwandan nickname Jado, serves as the Trade School Director for BAF. A remarkably hardworking and multi-talented young man, Jado earned his degree in mechanical engineering from the Shenyang University of Technology in China. Upon graduating, he chose to return home to Rwanda, driven by a deep desire to pass along the advanced skills he acquired abroad to the youth in his community. Growing up around his father’s repair and welding shop gave him a natural head start, making it easy for him to connect with and train the young people working there.
Jado joined BAF in 2023, bringing an incredible willingness to serve, teach, and mentor. When the organization launched its welding school in 2025, Jado played a pivotal role in getting it off the ground. As director, he doesn't just manage the program; he is right there in the classroom teaching the students, ensuring they master the craft and complete their courses in line with official certification requirements.
Outside of his many hands-on technical skills, Jado has a massive passion for soccer (or football, as it's known locally). Whether he's leading a classroom, managing the trade school, or talking sports, his dedication to empowering the next generation of skilled tradespeople in Rwanda shines through in everything he does.
NIRINGIYIMANA Marie Claire
Accountant
NIRINGIYIMANA Marie Claire joined the BAF team in February 2026, driven by a desire to contribute to the incredible work the organization is doing across Southern Rwanda. Serving as BAF’s accountant, Claire is currently balancing her role with her studies as a weekend university student in the faculty of accounting. She absolutely loves her position because it gives her the perfect opportunity to learn new skills and immediately apply her classroom knowledge to real-world financial operations.
Though she might be a bit shy at first, Claire’s heart for the mission goes way beyond the spreadsheets. During the week, when she isn't focused on finance or her own classes, she makes sure to find time to work directly with the kids. She regularly conducts school visits, keeping a close eye on the children's academic performance and overall discipline to ensure they are thriving.
Claire's quiet dedication and excitement for continuous learning make her an invaluable asset to the team. And when she isn't managing accounts or visiting schools, she loves to express her creative side through singing.
