Founders:
Evode Usabyamahoro became a street child himself following the 1994 genocide. After becoming a Christian he started an initiative to help boys living on the street providing the care he wished he had gotten. Evode raised awareness of the issues they face teaching at local churches and schools. Evode visited them in the streets daily, teaching them the word of God, fun sports and acrobatics rather than begging. He would then warn them of the dangers of drugs and crime from his own experiences. Evode organised food and clothing drives and was starting to house and provide schooling. Housing and access to education had been the biggest issue facing the children, so together he and Rebecca started what is now Ubaka U Rwanda. Since July 2008, Evode has been running and living at the Ubaka U Rwanda centre that now provides a home, education and support for the boys. Since they got married in 2010, Rebecca also lives at the centre and supports Evode’s work.
Rebecca Usabyamahoro met Evode in 2008 and founded the charity in England in order to support and maintain the Ubaka U Rwanda Centre. In October 2010 she moved to Rwanda permanently to help Evode run the centre. Rebecca has a BSc from Goldsmiths College, University of London in Psychology.
Trustees:
Ben Shrubsole is Rebecca’s younger brother and Evode’s brother in law. He has stepped in to assist with the day to day running of the charity from the UK since 2023, and is the main point of contact for the charity. Along with the support of a wonderful team of humans (US, UK and Rwanda based) and newly appointed trustees is taking over the general management, communications, finances, fundraising and social media presence. Ben is an Engineering Manager within the construction sector.
Louise Shrubsole is the mother of Rebecca and Evode’s mother in law.
Jon Lock
U.S. Support:
Shaun Sullivan is Ubaka U Rwanda’s Trustee from the U.S. He is vital in building and maintaining relationships with our supporters in the United States. He started volunteering at the home in 2010. He is a firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service on the Arroyo Grande Hotshots. This type of seasonal work has allowed Shaun to continue to return to Rwanda every year for multiple months since 2010. When in Rwanda, Shaun lived at the center, and volunteers to help in any way he can.
Please take the time to check out the website for our partners in the US and their fundraising efforts: