Our Stories

We share our children's stories in the hopes of inspiring others to join us in taking action.

It is with great excitement that Rising Above the Storms announces its first high school graduate: Idrissa Dusengimana.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we at Rising Above the Storms want to share with you some of the things we love. We love the undying resilience the children show through their daily plight. We love how their progress continues to inspire and draw other lost children to the Center.

Many of our youth come from poor, single-parent households struggling with food security. Hunger is one of the main reasons why our youth drop out of school. Our youth end up in the streets in search of food, often begging and committing acts of desperation. How can a child hope to graduate high school when their basic needs aren’t even being met?

Before joining Rising Above the Storms, I was in a gang. But then I joined counseling sessions and I got off the streets and reunited with my family.

I am part of the RAS and Amahoro Builders family. I am grateful for the person I have become.

The Center has helped me restore my faith in self. My mother is proud of me and my entire community can see the transformation I’ve made.

Born to a teenage mother without the means to take care of him, Daniel was left as a baby to be raised by his grandmother.

Born into a disorganized and conflicting family, Andrew faced domestic violence and poverty early in his life. This led him to drop out of school and join the street life.

At Rising Above the Storms, we have seen our children impacted by family issues, violence, or even an identity crisis. Since the age of nine years old Abijuru Line, now 14, has come to our center because of such factors.

Learn about Alphonsine Anderson's story and the experiences that inspired her to create Rising Above the Storms

Join our virtual letter campaign to submit words of encouragement or inspiration to give our kids hope during the pandemic.

RAS staff member Fred Gatete shares the four life lessons he's learned working with Rising Above the Storms.

RAS staff member Alice on everything you need to know about Rising Above the Storms' current project in Rwanda.

COVID-19 has affected people all over the world in different aspects of their lives.

Join our virtual letter campaign to submit words of encouragement or inspiration to give our kids hope during the pandemic.

COVID-19 has been a challenge for everyone in their daily lives. In Rwanda, it has deeply affected our children and their families.

COVID-19 has been a challenge for everyone in their daily lives. In Rwanda, it has deeply affected our children and their families.

Dieudonne currently lives at the Center in Rwanda; he cooks, cleans and watches children who temporarily stay at the Center in between transitioning off the street and returning to their community.

Eric is one of four kids who live at the Center, and who have stayed there throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Born and raised in Rwanda, Yvette is an office administrator and councelor for Rising Above the Storms.

Saidi is one of four kids who live at the Center, and who have stayed there throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fred joined Rising Above the Storms (RAS) Rwanda (via Peace Builders) in June 2017. He serves as an Accountant for the Center in Rwanda and Counselor for the children.

Ngabo is one of four kids who live at the Center, and who have stayed there throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Being healthy is the first human capital. There are no spare parts for the body.

On March 14, 2020 the first cases of the coronavirus were identified in Rwanda. Like many other countries across the globe, the Rwandan government put measures in place to limit the spread of virus.

We’ve just reached 500 likes on our Facebook page! Thank you to everyone who has been with us during this journey.

In 2018, Rising Above the Storms founder Alphonsine Anderson was selected as a Grand Prize Winner of The Bridge Awards, which included a VIP trip to the Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Never in a million years have I ever thought that I would start a nonprofit, leave alone sharing personal, painful wounds of my past with strangers on the cyberspace, or in person for that matter.