The Founder and Executive Director Story
Master in Leadership at Protestant University of Rwanda
Soli Deo Gloria
Erneste Ndoreyaho is man of faith, hope and compassionate. For him, success is not determined by position, title, social status, or recognition in society but with SMART purpose with hard Working, Honest follow up, Self control, time management, rule of law consideration . True success is reflected in the strength of the families we build, the children we educate, the lives we transform, the leaders we develop, and the opportunities we create for others. His greatest ambition is to see poor young women, vulnerable children access education, families live in peace and dignity, and communities once marked by hardship discover hope and opportunity. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11 Erneste Ndoreyaho is the Founder and Executive Director of Family Success Rwanda (FSR), a Christian child and community development organization committed to serving orphan and vulnerable children, poor women, families strengthening, environment protection and sustainable communities development. He’s found and led the organization for since 2022, resisting many far more lucrative offers to join other NGOs and other government institution. He stays because he believes. He believes in grassroots organizations focused and resolve the local needs with local solutions. “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God our Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress.” — James 1:27 Erneste was born in a poor rural village in Kibeho region,Nyaruguru District, Southern province in Rwanda. His childhood was shaped by the realities of rural life, where economic hardship, limited opportunities, and the cost and willingness of educating children placed considerable pressure on families and in his community. Erneste was a very bright student but needed to care for the family’s cattle,sheep, goats, fetch water, collect the wood ,harvest and milling coffee so struck a deal with a cousin and sibling. they’d go to school day about and on the other, care for each other’s livestock.Yet, within these challenges, he witnessed an enduring example of commitment, sacrifice, and service through the lives of his parents. Both his mother and father were professional teachers who deeply loved their profession and believed in the transformative power of education. Teaching was more than a means of earning a living; it was a vocation through which they sought to shape young minds, develop Christian values, character, and contribute to the future of their community. The commitment of his parents demonstrated toward educating their ten children (Erneste Siblings) and supporting other rural children became an enduring source of inspiration for his own dedication to educational access and his sustainable community development. “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” — Proverbs 22:6
Overcoming everyday challenges of rural life and lack of access, Erneste graduated high school and won a full scholarship to the university. By his final year, he was not only a leading academic student but head of the student body. Education became an important part of Erneste’s journey. Through determination, perseverance, and opportunities made possible by education and the support of others, He later earned a master’s degree in Development Studies and continued his academic journey in Christian ethics and leadership. “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” — Proverbs 4:7 His educational journey strengthened his understanding of the relationship between faith, human dignity, ethical leadership, and sustainable development. It also reinforced the importance of creating opportunities for people who, like many children in rural communities, grow up facing barriers to education and personal advancement. On graduation, he was taking on a leading government or business role in the community. But after he chose service. Chose to raise funds and profile of a small NGO in rural area. The one he now leads. And along the way, he has changed the methodology adopted the SHG approach and Education, grown the organization to over 42 local staff, raised money in support, and changed thousands of lives. Maybe more. There are now more than 4500 youth technical skilled, 20,000 women in Self Help Groups across the country which directly impacts over 1 million family members alone. Small beginnings need never be despised. Erneste ‘s Mum recently passed away but his dad continues to live in the small rural village where it all be. Erneste continues to care for him and the community home. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” — Zechariah 4:10 Erneste’s story is rooted in the understanding that small beginnings need never limit a person’s future and that personal success should never end with the individual. His parents’ lives offer an important illustration of this principle. Despite the difficulties of raising ten children and living in a rural setting, they remained committed to teaching, educating their children, and supporting other children in their community. Their example illustrates how professional dedication, family sacrifice, and concern for others can shape the values of future generations.Erneste seeks to carry that spirit forward through his family, Christian ministry, and community development work. His ambition is not merely to achieve personal success, but to contribute to a society in which more children can access education, more families can live with dignity, more young people can develop their abilities, and more communities can build sustainable futures. He understands that meaningful transformation requires more than individual effort. It requires people who are willing to share knowledge, develop others, strengthen institutions, build partnerships, and create opportunities that continue benefiting communities long after the original contribution has been made.Through Family Success Rwanda, he continues to pursue a future in which faith is expressed through service, education opens doors to opportunity, partnerships create lasting change, and vulnerable children and families are treated with dignity and compassion. His ambition is not simply to become successful, but to help create the conditions in which others can succeed as well.Erneste believes that no one reaches meaningful goals entirely alone. Throughout life, people receive support from parents, family members, friends, teachers, mentors, churches, charitable organizations, government institutions, and others whose generosity, guidance, encouragement, and sacrifices help them move forward. Such support may be financial, emotional, spiritual, educational, intellectual, professional, or practical. Sometimes it comes through a direct contribution; at other times, it comes through a word of encouragement, a lesson, an opportunity, or someone who believes in us when circumstances are difficult. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 Erneste’s own life reflects this interconnectedness. His parents invested in education despite the challenges of raising ten children in a rural community with limited means. Their example, together with the opportunities and support he received throughout his journey, helped shape his understanding of responsibility toward others through community give back. For him, the gratitude is more than expressing appreciation or remembering those who helped us. It is a commitment to use what we have received to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Acts of Gratitude does not necessarily mean repaying the same people who supported us. Rather, it means extending the spirit of generosity to others who need encouragement, education, guidance, resources, or opportunities to build a better future. For example , A person who has benefited from education can help another child to learn . “God has given each of you a gift from his many kinds of gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” — 1 Peter 4:10 Through Family Success Rwanda, Erneste is working to turn that conviction into action. His work focuses on supporting orphan and vulnerable children,youth , poor women, strengthening families, promoting access to education, encouraging spiritual growth, and helping communities pursue sustainable livelihoods. He believes that children should not lose their future because of poverty, families deserve to live with dignity, and communities become stronger when people work together to address shared challenges through education. For Erneste, sustainable community development is not simply about providing assistance. It is about restoring hope, building capacity,protect the environment, creating and unleash the opportunities, strengthening local leadership, and helping people recognize and develop their own potential without comprise the future generation gain. His approach recognizes that lasting change requires cooperation among individuals, churches, government institutions, charitable organizations, community leaders, and international partners. Each has a role to play in building communities where vulnerable people are cared and individuals have the opportunity to contribute to their own development. His vision extends beyond immediate relief. He hopes to see communities where children can learn dispite the poverty, young people can acquire practical skills to unleash their potential, families can become economically resilient, and vulnerable people can move toward greater self-reliance and meaningful active participation in society. “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” — Galatians 6:9
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