Meet the Team & Youth Ambassadors

Evode Hakizimana Havyarimana

Youth Ambassador

Country: Burundi/Zimbabwe

Interests: Food equity, Youth skills/empowerment, community gardens

My name is Evode Hakizimana Havyarimana and I am 22 years old. My family fled to Zimbabwe from Burundi during the 1993 genocide. I was born in Zimbabwe and continue to live in the Tongogara Refugee Camp. I completed my studies in Zimbabwe with flying colours; however, the socio-economic environment left me with little hope for employment. After finishing my A-level studies I was unable to access further education due to financial constraints. I rather assisted my parents with farming and selling produce, and have done brick molding to earn extra income to support my family (I am the oldest of 9 children). I have anxiously feared becoming a victim of stealing and drug abuse. Yet I was determined, and In 2019 after an extensive process l was selected by UNHCR to go to Uganda for social entrepreneurship training. We have created a project called Transformation Innovation Hub (TIH) as a solution to suffering in our community: we work to restore hope, build skills and highlight the potential of youth as job creators.

Project