Divin Murenzi has always had a dream of giving back to his country. This vision however pressed him when he was almost completing high school two years ago. He decided to look towards the daily challenges society faced, and his heart leaped for the youth. He recalled how often he used to meet street kids on his way to school and knew he had to do something to help society. Last year during lockdown, the 22-year-old partnered with his brother and established a foundation that would inspire and encourage young people into becoming responsible citizens that cared and gave back to society. That’s how ‘It’s Possible Foundation’ came to life. Divin Murenzi, Founder of Its Possible Foundation. It was not simple for us at the time but we took it one step at a time, Murenzi says, adding that the struggle in the start is what inspired the foundation’s name. “Coming up with the foundation name ‘It’s possible’ was inspired by what I was going through when I was trying to bring up the foundation. At times it felt impossible and very hard not knowing how it would turn out, but I decided not to give up,” Murenzi says. The foundation now has 50 members with fellows who are mostly aged between 18 and 25.Different public figures have become part of the initiative, these include TV host Martina Abera, Witness Umutoni and Phiona Uwase both of whom are former Miss Rwanda contestants. The organisation aims at inspiring the young generation to generate a shift and realise their dreams. All of this is done for the youth to have a contribution towards the nation’s development. This is done through counsel and guidance, inspiration and mutual support from each other as youth. The foundation and its members has so far visited and supported different centres giving back to society as well. They for instance visited Izere Nyamata, a centre for children with disabilities located in Nyamata, Bugesera district. They donated food and other essential items, recognising the founder’s role for taking care of those needy children. Cecile Munyana, the founder of that centre shares that the visit motivated her to keep up with her work “Its Possible Foundation came to visit our centre with the aim of sharing with us the word of God that says ‘Baho’ (loosely translated as live) which indeed was a special message we needed. They also provided foodstuff and hygiene materials to the kids,” she says. Munyana says she is grateful for the recognition they made for her services, “They recognised what we do for children with disabilities and society. They gave me a prize of honour for the continuous support to the kids.” Future plans By the end of this year, Murenzi says they want to embark on visiting sick people from different hospitals. This should happen around the end-of-year holidays. “We want to celebrate with them regardless of what they are going through. We will teach them about reproduction, how they can protect themselves and also educate them on hygiene. We believe this project to be a light and a chance to live a better life.” Next year, Its Possible Foundation will launch a new project called ‘smile Africa.’ this project will focus on specifically reaching out to children at their schools. They want to help by solving some of the problems these kids and their families go through every day. “Its Possible Foundation will be a movement for many young people collaborating with our country to help it grow and develop. We hope for our fellow youth to have a mind-set shift and be part of helping our nation and continent,” Murenzi says. “We believe a change in mind-set will give rise to a change in reality. Helping each other and working together in unity, as youth is the key to a brighter future, led by a generation of ambitious dreamers,” he adds.
