About Roots & Shoots Rwanda
Empowering Rwandan youth to create positive change for people, animals, and the environment through community-led projects.
What Is Roots & Shoots?
Roots & Shoots is a global youth-led community action program founded by Dr. Jane Goodall. It empowers young people to become compassionate leaders and create positive change in their communities.
People
Improving lives and fostering understanding in our communities
Animals
Protecting wildlife and promoting animal welfare
Environment
Conserving and restoring our shared natural world
Compassion → Action → Change
Our philosophy is simple yet powerful: compassion inspires action, and collective action creates meaningful change in our world.
Our Mission, Vision & Goal
Guiding principles that drive our work in Rwanda
Mission
To empower Rwandan youth with knowledge, tools, and inspiration to become compassionate leaders creating sustainable change for people, animals, and the environment.
Vision
A Rwanda where young people are actively engaged in building sustainable communities that live in harmony with nature and each other.
Goal
To establish Roots & Shoots clubs in every district of Rwanda, engaging 50,000 young people in community action projects by 2030.
About Dr. Jane Goodall
Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, is a world-renowned ethologist and conservationist inspiring greater understanding and protection of all life on Earth.
In 1991, Dr. Goodall founded Roots & Shoots with a group of Tanzanian students. The program began with the goal of bringing together youth from preschool to university age to work on environmental, conservation, and humanitarian issues.
"Young people, when informed and empowered, when they realize that what they do truly makes a difference, can change the world."
- Dr. Jane Goodall
Roots & Shoots Rwanda Story
How Roots & Shoots Came to Rwanda
Roots & Shoots was introduced to Rwanda in 2008 by a group of inspired educators and environmentalists who believed in Dr. Goodall's vision of youth-led change.
Starting with just three schools in Kigali, the movement quickly spread across the country as young Rwandans embraced the opportunity to address local challenges through community action projects.
- Officially registered with the Rwanda Governance Board in 2010
- Recognized by the Ministry of Education for youth empowerment
- Partnered with 200+ schools and communities nationwide
Our Founding Story
Roots & Shoots Rwanda was founded by a coalition of educators, conservationists, and youth leaders who witnessed the transformative power of Dr. Goodall's approach during visits to neighboring Tanzania.
From the beginning, our organization has been volunteer-driven, with passionate individuals dedicating their time to mentor youth and facilitate community projects.
Volunteer-Driven Growth
100% of our expansion has been fueled by dedicated volunteers
Our Impact in Rwanda
Creating measurable change through youth-led community projects
Trees Planted
Native species reforestation projects
Clubs Formed
Active youth groups across Rwanda
Youth Engaged
Young people taking action in communities
Latest News & Stories
Inspiring stories of change from across Rwanda
Youth Climate Summit 2023
Rwandan youth presented innovative solutions to climate challenges at our annual summit in Kigali...
Read More →Women in Conservation
How young Rwandan women are leading environmental protection initiatives in their communities...
Read More →Urban Gardening Success
Kigali students transform school grounds into productive gardens, feeding families and teaching sustainability...
Read More →Together We Can Change The World
"Together we can, together we will, we must change the world."