ABOUT US
Investing in enterprises in communities of Rwanda and Sub-Saharan Africa and across the globe to transform economic wellbeing
Alleviating poverty and enabling sustainable livelihoods is critical to building community resiliency. Social entrepreneurs are essential to achieving this through job creation, climate adaptation, crisis response and fostering community cohesion through their enterprises. The bottleneck to their viability and growth is often the lack of support and flexible finance available. We are a charitable foundations and impact investing fund endeavouring to bridge this gap.
Who We Are
We are a sister organisation to Aegis Trust and a tightly connected partner to the mission of preventing genocide and atrocities with a special focus on sustainable livelihoods. Initially, we are building on Aegis Trust's footprint in Rwanda, with a specialist local team on the ground with in-country business experience, giving the fund a unique edge. Leveraging Aegis Trust's 25-year track record of peace-building across Rwanda and other countries in the region, we contribute to community resilience in two ways:
1. In areas there Aegis Trust delivers peace education, we support social enterprises and changemakers through partner organisations and direct investments in communities.
2. We support Aegis Trust financially to undertake prevention work in five areas; peace education, trauma healing, care for survivors, advocacy and the preservation of memory.
Our Founder
Starting as early as 1993 when James was graduating as a medical doctor, he has been working in the field of genocide prevention and education. He founded Aegis Trust in 2000 and for over 20 years, he has been working with communities torn apart by violence and atrocities to rebuild peace. He has observed how food insecurity and a lack of economic wellbeing can undermine peace-building, and the important role social enterprises play to enable sustainable livelihoods and build resilience.
Meet JamesOur Story
Aegis Trust has worked with communities in the Central African Republic (CAR) since 2014, with Rwandan educators training teachers and community leaders to deliver Aegis’ Peace Education. The impact of the programme led to militias laying down weapons and becoming ambassadors of peace in their villages.
However, Aegis has learnt that while peace education is effective and necessary, it is not sufficient to build resilience and sustainable peace in communities traumatised by violence and conflict and facing extreme poverty; transforming economic wellbeing is also essential. By supporting social entrepreneurs at village level, the Aegis Peace Fund contributes to this.
OUR VALUES
Our values are reflected in the Kinyarwanda word 'Ubumuntu’ referring to greatness of heart, benevolence, generosity and kindness.
HUMANITY
Recognising the humanity in others and fulfilling our own humanity.
COLLABORATION
Listening and evolving together and supporting each other for the sake of a collective goal
SUSTAINABILITY
Working towards a sustainable world for each person now and in the future
TRUST
Integrity, respect and honesty, builds unity and inclusive communities