Who Was Edward Musonera?
Edward Musonera was a humble and generous man whose life was devoted to uplifting children and young people; both within his family and beyond. He was a born-again believer, whose Christian faith guided his compassion and service.
He worked with the Rwanda Agriculture Board and quietly used his income, resources, and time to support vulnerable youth, sponsor school fees, and help struggling families. His acts of kindness were often done privately, without seeking recognition, but their impact was deeply felt.
He passed away in 2018 at the age of 40, leaving behind a powerful legacy of kindness, generosity, and service.
Edward Musonera was the maternal relative of EMF founder, Hamidah NNAKUBULWA , and played a pivotal role in shaping her life; personally sponsoring her education and inspiring the values that guide the foundation today.
How the EMF Began
After Edward Musonera’s passing, Hamidah deeply reflected on the impact he had; not only on her life, but on the lives of countless young people he helped. She realized that his generosity, humility, and faith were too valuable to fade away with time.
Determined to keep his legacy alive, she founded the Edward Musonera Foundation (EMF). The vision was clear: to continue his mission of empowering children, teen mothers and youth through education, mentorship, and support; so that the seeds he planted would grow for generations to come.
Through the foundation, Edward’s values live on, inspiring hope, opportunity, and transformation in communities; just as he did in life.
In addition to keeping the legacy of Edward Musonera, the foundation (EMF) was born from my journey of overcoming hardship, abuse, and teen motherhood. I know first-hand what it means to feel voiceless and vulnerable. This journey is not unique to me, but shared by many children, youth, and teen mothers in Rwanda.
Today, more than 1,000 children live on Rwanda’s streets—63.6% aged between 14 and 18—exposed to exploitation and neglect. While free education is available, 86.8% do not take advantage of this opportunity due to challenges like family instability, substance abuse, and rebellion. Many end up in survival crimes, leading to entry into Rwanda’s juvenile justice system.
These young people are not statistics—they are individuals with dreams and God-given potential. EMF exists to restore their dignity, hope, and purpose. Through faith, education, and community empowerment, we are breaking cycles of poverty and nurturing a generation of resilient, purpose-driven leaders.
This is not just our mission. It’s our calling.
Edward Musonera Foundation is a faith-based, women-led, and youth-initiated organization established in Rwanda in 2022. It is registered with the Rwanda Governance Board under legal personality No. 81/RGB/FDN/LP/02/2025. EMF advocates for girls’ and women’s rights, socio-economic empowerment, and education.
The EMF Founder Speaks
What We Do (Specialty Area)
Our focus is on serving children, teen mothers and youth at risk through our Redeem lead Transform (RLT) program.
We Are A Strong Team
At Edward Musonera Foundation (EMF), we believe that meaningful change begins with a dedicated and compassionate team. Our strength lies in our people — passionate individuals who work tirelessly to restore hope, dignity, and purpose to vulnerable children, youth, and teen mothers.
We are proud to have a committed team of 5 full-time staff members and 4 active volunteers, all aligned with our mission of faith-based service and community empowerment. Together, we combine professional expertise, lived experience, and unwavering dedication to bring transformation where it’s needed most.
Every outreach, every rescued child, and every empowered teen mother is a result of this team’s heart, hands, and hope in action.
Become a volunteer
Together, building a better life for the needy.
Make a lasting impact by serving vulnerable children, teen mothers, and youth. Join our mission to restore dignity and hope through compassion, mentorship, and faith-based community support.