About Refugee Education Project
Mission
REP’s Mission is to invest in young African refugee students and help them access quality advanced education in Rwanda. Paying for their secondary education will provide them with the opportunity to go to college and to help their families and refugee camp communities.
Refugee Education
29.8 million African children do not attend school according to the UNESCO census of 2011. This number accounts for one half of all children not attending school around the world. These African children are living in remote small villages, are affected by conflicts, represent racial and/or linguistic minorities, or are refugees.
When someone receives an education, it is an investment in one’s self and also in their family, community and country. An education will never depreciate. The earlier you begin learning, the more your investment will yield.
Classroom buildings at Gihembe Refugee Camp in Northern Rwanda
In the Refugee Camps of Rwanda, students have the opportunity to study through the 9th grade. Unless they have adequate funds to pay for their Advanced Level education (grades 10-12), most students living in refugee camps will not continue their education, even if they are exceptional and motivated students or top finalists in the National Exam.
There are approximately 150,000 total refugees in Rwanda. The vast majority of the camp inhabitants are young. Our Co-founder, Iranzi Ntihemuka, grew up in Gihembe Camp. He comes from a refugee family of 9 kids and is the 3rd oldest. When Iranzi finished his ordinary-level education (grade 9), his National Exam score qualified him to attend one of Rwanda's top public secondary schools.
The tuition to continue his education for Advanced Level was $200 per year. At the time, his family was receiving a stipend from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), of 24 cents per day/per person. ($2.16 per day for his family of 11). Iranzi’s brother was a teacher at the camp primary school and his dad was a security guard. The two of them earned a total of $30 per month. Most refugee families do not have members with paying jobs in the camp and survive on the UNHCR stipend.
Iranzi’s family believed in his potential and that contributing all of their extra income to cover his school fees would be worth it. This meant that his education came at a very high price to the family. Upon graduating from secondary school, he received a scholarship from a non-profit to attend The Adventist University of Central Africa where he received a degree in accounting. He and his family were resettled to Portland, Oregon in Feburary 2018.
After hearing Iranzi’s story and understanding the plight of young refugee students, Bryan Concannon decided to start The Refugee Education Project in October 2018. In January of 2019, 10 students where chosen to finish their high school education with the support of REP. The goal is to add more students each year. As of 2024 we have supported 50 Refugee students!
THE GENESIS OF REP
FINANCIAL Costs
$1,170 will send one student to secondary Boarding School for one year plus allow him/her to attend leadership retreats and complete a community service project.
Our Team
Bryan Concannon
CO-FOUNDER/PRESIDENT/BOARD MEMBER
Bryan Concannon is the founder of Refugee Education Project. His passion and determination in helping young Africans to access world class education is incomparable.
Debi Dereiko
VICE PRESIDENT/BOARD MEMBER
Lifetime Portland resident and education advocate, Debi earned her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the American Graduate School of International Management. After a career in International Banking, she began volunteering at her children’s schools. From Classroom Volunteer Coordinator to PTA President to Board Member to Game day Score keeper, she understands that it takes a group effort to educate a child. Debi is excited to be a ground level Board Member for REP and to continue her family’s philanthropic efforts in Rwanda.
Iranzi Ntihemuka
CO-FOUNDER/BOARD MEMBER
Iranzi is a graduate from Adventist University of Central Africa with a degree in Accounting. He is a resettled refugee from Gihembe Refugee Camp in Rwanda and now lives in Portland. When Iranzi was in college one of his goals was to help others in his community. He believes that nothing is more important than education. He is the Co-founder and Director of REP. He currently works for Concannon Lumber Company in accounting. He is a soccer fan and loves spending time with his family in his free time.
Alice Mukashyaka
DIRECTOR IN RWANDA
Alice is a people person. She is very passionate about community development, education and social entrepreneurship. She is the Director of REP in Rwanda. She is also the Co-founder of Starlight, an educational tech start-up. She has a degree in Electrical Engineering and Global Challenges from African Leadership University. She lives to witness a world where everyone will have universal access to quality education. In her free time she loves to travel and enjoys nature.
Albert Bisore Ngemanyi
The Project Consultant
Albert Bisore Ngemanyi serves as our on-ground consultant for the Refugee Education Project in Rwanda. Albert brings a unique perspective to this role having spent his 26+ years in Kiziba Refugee Camp in Western Rwanda. Albert draws inspiration from his mother's determination. She worked tirelessly on her small business selling bananas in the camp's small market, to support his high school education. Albert sees the Refugee Education Project as an opportunity to help younger refugees and motivate them to improve their lives. He holds a degree in statistics from the University of Rwanda.
Board Members
Maryann Concannon, Secretary/ Board Member
Taylor Gakundi, Founder/CEO, Belong Together, Board Member
Jean Paul Mugisha, Board Member