Leonie Raube

We are raising funds to support 85 vulnerable children in Kanyinya, Kigali, to develop their talents—traditional dance, modern dance, theatre, drawing, and drumming—so they can stay in school, access health insurance, and uplift their families and community. Our Story: We are creating this GoFundMe for people everywhere who believe that talent, culture, and education can change lives. ISHOBE Community Kids is a community-based initiative supporting 85 children from very vulnerable backgrounds—mainly children of single mothers and extremely poor families—who struggle to afford school fees, uniforms, and health insurance. These children live around Kanyinya, a sector within Nyarugenge District in Kigali. Kanyinya lies at the edge of the capital city, an area absorbed during Kigali’s expansion. While the city grows, many families here remain in severe poverty, now under pressure to upgrade their living conditions without the resources to do so. Families hustle daily just to keep their children in school. Our Solution: Talent as a Pathway ISHOBE Community Kids uses talent as a means of survival, dignity, and continuity of education. The children are organized into talent categories: • Traditional dance • Modern dance • Theatre • Drawing • Drumming Many of these children—nearly half—come from families where traditional dance and drumming are ancestral heritage. Due to poverty, these cultural gifts were abandoned. This initiative brings them back—not as entertainment alone, but as education, identity, and income. Through performances, children are able to: • Contribute to school fees • Buy school uniforms • Support family needs • Improve community living Culture, Education, and Weekly Learning This project is deeply educational. Children gather every Sunday (as weekdays are for school) to: • Learn Rwandan culture and ancestral wisdom • Practice traditional and modern dance • Learn theatre expression and drawing • Reuse and learn traditional musical instruments • Train in drumming We work is educational, we pay coaches weekly since now 2 years. • Traditional dance coach • Drumming coach • Modern dance coach • Theatre coach Without supporting this ecosystem, the project cannot survive. Why We Need Support Now: The project has existed for two years, and the children have grown tremendously in discipline, talent, and confidence. However, financial pressure threatens its survival. Our urgent needs include: • Health insurance: Health insurance costs 3,000 RWF per child per year. This is mandatory. Every child must be covered. (less than 2€per year per child, but still too much for most families) • School fees & dropout prevention: Several children have already dropped out because fees were unpaid. Our aim is talent development and continuation of school. • Medical emergencies: Some children face serious illness or urgent family crises. • Rehabilitation support: Nearly 10 children were previously living on the street and are now reintegrated into the community. They require special follow-up and care. • Pay Coaches • Register songs that are community’s treasure by the elders ( 75years) to safeguard the traditions, heritage and to inspire the future generation. Inanga as the instrument is about to be desapera if no one continues to play it. This is due to the wood in which it is curved. Our Vision We are not just raising performers. We are raising educated, rooted, and dignified children who: • Know their culture • Develop their talents • Stay in school • Support their families • Become contributors to their community With your support, ISHOBE Community Kids can grow to the next level—stronger, safer, and sustainable. How You Can Help • Donate any amount • Share this campaign • Stand with children whose talent is their bridge to education and life Every contribution keeps a child insured, educated, and hopeful. Thank you for believing in talent as a tool for survival and dignity.