Our Programs
Programs That Bridge ContinentsCulturally responsive mentorship, mental health support, and professional development — designed for East African youth in Rwanda and Canada.
Career Mentorship Program
Our mentorship program is the core of our work, connecting young people with experienced professionals who provide guidance, skill-building, and network expansion.
RWANDA
Focuses on navigating the Canadian job market, credential recognition, and acculturation support.
CANADA
Focuses on navigating the Canadian job market, credential recognition, and acculturation support.
What Mentees Receive
A Holistic Toolkit
| Area of Focus |
Detailed Support Provided
|
|
Career Pathway Exploration
|
Insights into job market realities (local and international), credential recognition, and setting realistic career goals.
|
|
Professional Network Building
|
Direct connections to mentors, peer networks, and community leaders — building the crucial social capital that opens doors.
|
| Interview & Application Coaching | Tailored preparation for university applications, job interviews, and opportunities specific to the local context (Rwanda or Canada). |
|
Academic Guidance
|
Course selection, university preparation, scholarship application support, and understanding post-secondary pathways. |
| Life Skills & Resilience | Strategies for managing stress, navigating complex systems, building professional confidence, and thriving in a new cultural context. |
Duration
12 weeks per cohort
(with option for ongoing support)
Frequency
Weekly 2-hour sessions
(combining group workshops and 1:1 mentoring)
Mentors
Successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and established community members
(1 mentor per 2–3 mentees)
Apply To The Mentorship Program
The Well for Mental Health
Healing Spaces. Peer Support. Mental Health as Justice.
The Well is a collaborative, culturally responsive initiative providing a safe space for East African youth to address unique mental health challenges. We believe in mental health as a matter of social justice.
RWANDA
Focus on reducing cultural stigma, building community resilience, and expanding access to local mental health resources.
CANADA
Primary focus on acculturation stress, transgenerational trauma, and systemic barriers to mental health services.
Program Components
A Spectrum of Care
| Component |
Description
|
Therapeutic Approach
|
|
Art-Based Mental Health Workshops
|
Using visual art, music, movement, and creative expression to process trauma safely, express emotion beyond words, and reclaim agency and identity.
|
Trauma-informed, culturally responsive
|
|
Peer Support Groups
|
Safe, confidential circles led by trained peer facilitators where young people share experiences, offer advice, and build lasting, supportive friendships.
|
Peer-led, holistic
|
| Professional Mental Health Referrals | Connections to counsellors, therapists, and psychiatrists who are explicitly culturally responsive and understand the unique needs of the community. | Clinical, culturally responsive |
|
Family Engagement
|
Workshops and resources for families, helping parents understand mental health, navigate their own trauma, and support their young people. | Systemic, holistic |
Learn More And Get Support
Economic Empowerment Programs
Vocational Training
Full scholarships for hands‑on training in high‑demand trades including tailoring, hairdressing, culinary arts, and other vocational skills. Delivered in partnership with Mwananshuti Vocational Training Center (Friends Peace House Rwanda), participants learn from certified instructors, gain industry‑recognised qualifications, and receive job placement support.
What participants receive:
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Full tuition coverage
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Hands‑on training with certified instructors
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Industry‑recognised certification
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Tools and materials
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Job placement assistance
Duration:
6 months to 1 year, depending on the trade
Entrepreneurship & Business Development
For young people who want to start or grow their own businesses, this program offers workshops in financial literacy, business planning, marketing, and access to one‑on‑one mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs. Participants leave with a clear business plan and the skills to turn ideas into sustainable livelihoods.
What participants receive:
- Business planning workshops
- Financial literacy and budgeting training
- Marketing and branding guidance
- One‑on‑one mentorship
- Networking with other young entrepreneurs
-
Duration:
3–6 months
EmpowerHer
A specialised initiative within our economic empowerment work, EmpowerHer provides young women and single mothers with vocational training, seed funding and micro‑grants, peer support networks, and mentorship tailored to their unique circumstances. This program recognises that when women are empowered, entire families and communities rise with them.
What participants receive:
- All benefits of vocational training
- Seed funding or micro‑grants to start businesses
- Peer support circles with other young women
- Childcare support where needed
- Ongoing mentorship and business coaching
-
Duration:
6 months to 1 year
Funding partners:
- Simmons Grant (Quakers in Britain)
- African Great Lakes Peace Trust
Apply to Our Empowerment Programs
Ubugeni Bwomora (Art That Heals)
For young people aged 14–19 living with HIV in Karongi District
Ubugeni Bwomora uses art, storytelling, and creative expression to help HIV‑positive youth process stigma, trauma, and isolation, and build self‑acceptance, resilience, and hope. Led by Agape Ishimwe, who himself grew up living with HIV, this program creates a safe, judgement‑free space where young people discover that their lives are more than their diagnosis.
What participants receive:
- Art‑based therapy sessions (painting, sculpture, performance)
- Storytelling and creative writing workshops
- Mental health and peer support
- Identity and self‑acceptance work
- Community and belonging
- Economic empowerment through art sales and exhibitions
Duration:
Ongoing cohorts throughout the year
Funding partner:
McGill Mastercard Foundation
Learn More or Apply for Ubugeni Bwomora
EcoFriends (Youth Climate Leadership)
For secondary school students passionate about environmental action
Launched in 2025, EcoFriends equips young people with climate science knowledge, green career pathways, and leadership skills to drive environmental change in their communities. Participants attend workshops, establish environmental clubs in their schools, engage in tree planting and ecosystem restoration, and connect climate action to real career opportunities.
What participants receive:
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Climate change workshops and training
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Leadership and advocacy skills development
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Support in forming school environmental clubs
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Tree planting and hands‑on conservation activities
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Pathways to green careers and further education
Duration:
Workshop series and ongoing club support
Funding partner:
Join EcoFriends
Learn More or Apply for Ubugeni Bwomora
Apply Here
Who Can Apply
You’re in secondary school or recently graduated and need career guidance
→ Mentorship Program (Rwanda or Canada)
You want to learn a trade and gain a professional qualification
→ Vocational Training (Rwanda)
You want to start or grow your own business
→ Entrepreneurship Program (Rwanda)
You’re a young woman or single mother seeking economic independence
→ EmpowerHer (Rwanda)
You’re living with HIV and need mental health and community support
→ Ubugeni Bwomora (Rwanda)
You care about climate change and want to lead environmental action
→ EcoFriends (Rwanda)
You’re a newcomer to Canada and need mental health support
→ The Well for Mental Health (Canada)
Questions? Contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Phone (Rwanda): +250 788 123 456
Phone (Canada): 438‑728‑2952
Not sure which program is right for you?
That’s okay. Email us and let’s talk. We’ll help you find the best fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are programs free?
Most of our programs are fully funded or heavily subsidised. Cost should never be a barrier to participation.
What languages are programs offered in?
Rwanda programs are offered in Kinyarwanda and English. Canada programs are offered in English and Kinyarwanda, with French translation available when needed.
How long do programs last?
It varies. Mentorship cohorts run for 12 weeks. Vocational training ranges from 6 months to 1 year. Art therapy and mental health programs operate on ongoing cycles.
Where are programs located?
Rwanda programs operate primarily in Kigali and Karongi District. Canada programs operate in Ontario and Quebec.
Do I need to be Quaker to participate?
No. While Friends Career Center was founded on Quaker values, we serve all young people regardless of background or belief.
Contact Details
Email:
Rwanda
Address: KK 505 Street, Kigali, Rwanda
Canada
Address: Toronto, Ontario, Canada