Equip people to lead change.
We equip young people, women, refugees and underserved communities with leadership, education, innovation and practical opportunities to build stronger futures.
Operating in DR Congo · Expanding Across Africa
Potential is everywhere.
Opportunity should be too.
OLIFE equips young people, women, refugees and underserved communities with the leadership, education and tools to build stronger futures.
Built with communitiesLed by lived experience
Since 2019Community-led action
DR CongoExpanding across Africa
ThousandsYouth and families reached
One missionDignity and opportunity
Founder, President & CEOBikorimana Mugwema Paul
“We are not defined only by what happened to us; we are defined by what we choose to build next.”
Our Story
Creating moments of happiness.
Building hope that lasts.
What I want most is to give people moments of happiness and joy. I understand that happiness does not last forever, but I believe we can create small moments that bring light, hope, and joy into people’s lives.
I have known what it feels like not to be happy, and even today, I cannot feel completely at peace when I see others living without opportunities to experience even a small moment of happiness in their lives.
That is what we stand for: creating things that may seem small to us but can mean everything to someone else.
Sometimes, a simple act, a small opportunity, or a moment of kindness can give someone a sense of joy that is greater than we could ever imagine.
We may not be able to make happiness last forever, but we can create moments that people will carry in their hearts for a lifetime.
Our direction
Purpose that becomes action.
OLIFE is rooted in lived experience and guided by a long-term commitment to dignity, opportunity and community-led change.
Opportunity within every community.
We envision peaceful, resilient and prosperous communities where every person can learn, lead and help shape the future.
Dignity guides every action.
Community leadership, inclusion, peace, accountability, innovation and respect are at the center of how OLIFE serves and partners.
What we do
Local solutions. Lasting strength.
Our programs connect immediate community needs with the skills, leadership and partnerships required for long-term progress.
Our children’s education mission01
Children’s Education & Skills
Learning support, digital skills, school pathways and practical opportunities for children and youth whose education has been disrupted.
Our women empowerment mission02
Women Empowerment
Programs that strengthen dignity, protection, economic opportunity and the wellbeing of women, mothers and their families.
Food security begins with local harvests03
Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
Working with rural farmers to reduce hunger by expanding access to climate-adapted seeds, practical agricultural training and sustainable farming methods that increase food production, strengthen livelihoods and help communities overcome hunger and malnutrition.
Youth leadership in action04
Youth Leadership
Mentorship, community dialogue, sports and practical leadership opportunities that help young people shape their future.
Safe water for every community05
Clean Water & WASH
Expanding access to safe drinking water, protecting community water sources, and promoting hygiene and sanitation. Unsafe water can spread diarrhoeal disease, cholera, dysentery and typhoid, worsen malnutrition, and keep children out of school and adults away from work.
Peacebuilding through sport and unity06
Post-Conflict Peace Education
Community education that helps people understand the cost of war, protect civilians, heal trauma, rebuild trust and use dialogue, reconciliation and sport to create lasting peace.
Our refugee support mission07
Refugee & Humanitarian Support
Dignity-centered support for refugees and displaced families, connecting emergency assistance with protection, community care and pathways toward stability.
Innovation for community health08
Innovation & AI
Responsible technology and AI education that connects underserved communities to new tools and opportunities.
Rural communities and resilient landscapes09
Climate & Resilience
Local action on food security, environmental education and climate resilience for rural communities.
Why this work matters
Communities deserve more than survival.
Across rural South Kivu, conflict has forced families from their homes, damaged schools and livelihoods, and placed women and children at greatest risk. These are not distant statistics—they are families, neighbors and futures interrupted.
OLIFE connects humanitarian support with education, peacebuilding and locally led recovery so communities can move from crisis toward lasting opportunity.
Stand with communities
Relief with dignity.
Recovery with community.
Recovery with community.
News & activities
Community action in motion.
Our activities connect peacebuilding, humanitarian support, education and leadership with the realities communities face every day.
BIKORA Cup & Youth Peacebuilding
Sport, mentorship and community dialogue bring young people together around unity, teamwork, leadership and peace in Bibogobogo and refugee communities in Burundi.
Refugee Community Outreach
OLIFE listens to displaced families, connects urgent needs with community care and creates pathways toward dignity, protection and stability.
Education & Practical Skills
Children and young people receive encouragement, learning support, leadership development and access to practical skills for a stronger future.
Our communities
Every image carries a story.
From Bibogobogo to refugee communities in Burundi and partners in New York, our work begins with people.
Together across borders
Partnership turns concern into action.
We welcome collaboration with organizations, institutions, community leaders and members of the African diaspora who share our commitment to peaceful, resilient and prosperous communities.
- 01 Support a community-led program
- 02 Share expertise and technology
- 03 Create pathways for young leaders
Take action
There is a place for you in this mission.
Support a community-led program, share your skills or build a partnership that creates lasting opportunity.
Support the mission
Help OLIFE expand education, peacebuilding and humanitarian support where communities need it most.
Choose how to donateShare your skills
Contribute mentorship, training, technology, communications or community outreach experience.
Volunteer with usBuild lasting impact
Join OLIFE as an organization, institution, community leader or member of the African diaspora.
Start a partnershipSupport community-led change
Your contribution can open a path forward.
Support OLIFE programs advancing education, food security, clean water, women and youth leadership, peacebuilding, and humanitarian care for rural communities and displaced families.
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Help shape the leaders our future needs.
Let’s build practical opportunities for young people, women, refugees and rural communities—together.
Leadership & Governance
Accountable leadership.
Community-centered service.
OLIFE is guided by a leadership team, an engaged Board of Directors and advisors committed to integrity, transparency and responsible service.
Bikorimana Mugwema Paul
Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer
Justine Nankamisha
Board Chair
- IT NzabineshaVice President
- Eveque NtamuhangaSecretary
- Pamela UwinezaTreasurer
- Chantal NasukuBoard Member
- Belle UmutoniBoard Member
- Julienne MaombiBoard Member
- Freddy NkumbuyinkaBoard Member
- Alice NariburwaBoard Member
- Soleil FurahaCountry Coordinator
- Nkumbutsa NdakeneshaProgram Director
- Adeline UmuhozaAdvisor
- Cadet NdabunguyeAdvisor
- Merci MuvandimweAdvisor