PRESS RELEASE: A community powered by purpose: Chancen International launches Member Foundation and Council in Rwanda

Kigali, July 2025 – Chancen International has officially launched the Chancen Member Foundation and Council in Rwanda, a pioneering initiative that puts students and alumni at the heart of the organization’s community engagement and decision-making structures. The Foundation is the latest milestone in Chancen International’s mission to increase the lifetime income of excluded youth across Africa through ethical post-secondary education financing that leads to sustainable employment. Founded in 2018 in Rwanda, Chancen has since supported over 6,000 students across four countries—Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana. The organization uses an innovative Income Share Agreement (ISA) model, which enables students to study without paying upfront fees. Instead, students begin to repay a fixed percentage of their income only once they graduate and secure employment paying at least Rwf 80,000 per month. The ISA model is designed to eliminate traditional financial barriers, requiring no collateral and offering flexible repayment terms tied directly to students’ earning potential. To date, more than 4,500 students have been financed in Rwanda alone—most from households living on less than $5 a day. Chancen reports that graduate incomes more than triple post-completion, with 80% of alumni employed within one year. Empowering Students Beyond Financing The newly launched Chancen Member Foundation formalizes a long-standing commitment to student voice and leadership. Registered as an independent legal entity, the Foundation is designed to foster peer-to-peer support, leadership development, and active representation in Chancen’s operations and strategy. At the center of this effort is the Chancen Member Council, an elected body of eight members representing current students and graduates. The Council serves as a direct channel between the broader student community and Chancen leadership—helping shape program design, hosting community engagement sessions, and leading initiatives such as storytelling campaigns and office hours. “This is not just a support program—it’s a structure of shared ownership,” said Frank Kimenyi, President of the Chancen Member Foundation. “Our students and alumni are not passive beneficiaries. They are co-creators of a community that is grounded in trust, values, and a commitment to one another’s success.” Student Voices Lead the Way The Council’s activities already include career development workshops, interactive forums, and storytelling projects like Campus Chronicles, designed to build visibility and solidarity among members. According to a recent internal survey, over 90% of Chancen Members feel proud to belong to the community and are eager to play a more active role. “Our aim is to ensure every student feels heard, supported, and empowered,” said Ange Nizeyimana. “This platform is not only for sharing feedback but for building something meaningful together.” The Foundation’s structure is deeply aligned with Chancen’s core values: solidarity, authenticity, fairness, stewardship, courage, and curiosity. It reflects a broader commitment to systems change in the education finance sector—moving beyond transactional models toward trust-based partnerships with youth. A Blueprint for the Future As Chancen scales its ISA model across Africa, the Member Foundation and Council are intended to serve as a blueprint for how inclusive finance, values, and community-building can work hand in hand. “Our vision is not only to fund education,” Batya Blankers, CEO of Chancen International added, “but to transform how education is experienced—where students lead, communities thrive, and dignity is built into every layer of the system.” Chancen International continues to expand its work across the continent, exploring new partnerships with education providers, governments, and investors who share its commitment to equitable opportunity.

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PRESS RELEASE: A community powered by purpose: Chancen International launches Member Foundation and Council in Rwanda