Jeanne Uwineza Gasasira and Andrew Ndayambaje both grandchildren of the late Rev Yohana and Gladys Runyange  were blessed to spend a lot of time with them and learnt a lot from them. 

When Jeanne was 13 years old, just before she joined secondary school, she was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. Without any hesitation she said she wanted to be a Reverend.  She loved and admired her grandparents so much and she just wanted to be like them. They had genuine passion to serve others. She didn’t become a Reverend, but as she grew older and became more exposed she realized that one didn’t have to be a Reverend or a church minister to make a difference.

Andrew was inspired by how his grandparents went about their lives on a daily basis. They did not only preach the gospel but they also lived it practically.  They advocated for social justice, the love for your neighbor as yourself and human rights for all especially women. They often spoke passionately against domestic violence. Andrew has always loved community service, working with the less privileged and believes in equal opportunity for all.

Through The Rev. Yohana Runyange Memorial Foundation, Jeanne and Andrew would like to carry on the work of their grandparents by supporting the communities in Busanza that continue to live in poverty and ignorance. This has been possible through the generous support of family, friends and well-wishers. Together, through our collective energy and passion, we can make a difference. The foundation leverages on the already existing structures created by the community itself, the church, other NGOs, different government departments and continues to create new partnerships.
 
Jeanne Gasasira is an Agricultural Economist with vast experience in community development and resource mobilization.
Andrew Ndayambaje is a Lawyer, resource mobilizer and an International Community Development Specialist.