The Center for Champions in Rwanda began as a partnership between AE Rwanda and First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, Washington, to provide a hope and future for Rwandan street kids. The facility was completed in 2008, with the first group of street kids enrolling in May 2008. As of December 2009, there are about 175 kids living at the Center. They study a “Catch Up” curriculum, which provides basic education through the sixth grade. While the kids range in age from 10 to 22, frequently a 10-year-old will be at the same desk as a 20-year-old, depending on their educational needs. A few of the more advanced kids go to secondary school off campus. The kids have sports, spiritual direction, food, a home, community nurture and safety not available on the streets. The School has the capacity to house 300 residential kids, and take another 300 impoverished kids from the community who could live at home, if funding were available.

Watch the video below to witness the impact this transformational project is making in the lives of hundreds of young people in Rwanda. (Click on "Center for Champions" title above if video does not appear below.) And, if you are interested in sponsoring a student, please click here, scroll down to Center for Champions Sponsorship and complete the form.