Empowering Rwandan Students Through Entrepreneurship

The Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation is committed to empowering Rwanda’s youth through the 'School Enterprise Challenge,' a program that equips students with entrepreneurial skills by helping them start and run their own businesses.

Empowering Rwandan Students Through Entrepreneurship

Since 2017, the Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation has been fostering impactful partnerships across Rwanda, supporting four key initiatives aimed at sustainable development. Among these is the implementation of the 'School Enterprise Challenge,' a groundbreaking educational program that encourages young Rwandans to run their own businesses. By doing so, they acquire invaluable entrepreneurial skills that help pave the way for future success.

The ‘School Enterprise Challenge’ is run nationwide by the British organisation ‘Teach A Man To Fish,’ a sister organisation of 'Fundación Paraguaya.' Both organisations share the mission of eradicating poverty through sustainable, skills-based education, empowering students to unlock their full potential. Their approach fosters an entrepreneurial mindset, providing disadvantaged youth with a new perspective on their futures.

Turning Classrooms into Boardrooms

The core goal of the School Enterprise Challenge is simple but transformative: give young people the skills they need to succeed in both work and life. This international competition operates as an awards program where students form, develop, and manage their own businesses. The students aren’t just learning business theory—they’re applying it in real-world scenarios, acquiring soft skills, and using the profits generated from their ventures to reinvest in their schools. The initiative transforms young people from job seekers into job creators.

Having already seen success across Latin America, Asia, and Africa, the program is now making its mark in Rwanda—a nation where youth unemployment remains a critical challenge, affecting over 70% of young people (UNDP 2014). Though access to elementary education is high, with 95% of the population completing it, opportunities for quality secondary education and vocational training are still limited. Rwanda's Secretary of Education, Vincent Biruta, highlighted this gap during the UNESCO World Education Forum, stating, “(Our) students may be able to answer exam questions, but they need skills to go out and find a job.”

A Hands-On Approach to Learning

Recognising this gap, the Rwandan education system has introduced entrepreneurship as a core subject in secondary schools. Yet, the practical implementation of this curriculum faces obstacles, such as a shortage of trained teachers. The School Enterprise Challenge aims to bridge this gap by offering teachers essential training, equipping them to guide student teams in building and managing their businesses over the program’s three-year cycle.

The Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation supports 36 of the 68 participating schools, providing financial resources and expert guidance. Additionally, the program trains educational leaders to serve as information multipliers, raising awareness of entrepreneurship’s importance in shaping Rwanda’s future. Through practical experience, students gain the skills necessary to launch their own businesses after graduation, creating a pipeline of talent ready to tackle Rwanda’s employment challenges.

Real Businesses, Real Impact

At a school in Nyanza, in southern Rwanda, the impact of the program is already visible. Inspired by a domestic economics course, students initiated their first business venture—selling bakery products. The goods were a hit, selling out quickly, and the students reinvested their profits to expand the business. Their entrepreneurial spirit is not only helping them acquire essential business skills but also creating a self-sustaining model where future profits will fund scholarships for outstanding students, enabling them to pursue further education.

In 2017, 16 schools successfully participated in the program through the partnership between Teach A Man To Fish and the Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation. The initiative offers a unique opportunity for schools to generate income while giving students a realistic taste of business management. It’s an invaluable experience, opening doors to a brighter future for Rwanda’s youth.

Building a Future of Job Creators

As the School Enterprise Challenge continues to grow, its impact will resonate far beyond the classroom. By nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs, the program contributes directly to Rwanda’s economic development. Students are no longer just preparing for jobs—they’re creating them, bringing innovation and hope to their communities.

Through this initiative, the Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation reaffirms its commitment to fostering sustainable change in Rwanda, empowering the nation’s youth to shape their future with confidence, creativity, and entrepreneurial ambition.

← back home