Rwanda

Transformational Leadership Center

Vision

TLC envisions socially, economically and physically transformed communities nation-wide fostering social equity, peace and sustainable development under ethical and sustainable leadership.

Mission

To promote well-being and a better life for all, starting with children, through peace and social cohesion initiatives, income-generating activities, care for the environment, integration of new technology, and infrastructure development.

Strategic Objectives

Provide training in good governance for communities and nonprofit organizations
Offer consultancy services in project planning and development
Strengthen community development initiatives and local leadership capacity
Promote peace education and conflict transformation

Peace Education

Peace Education

The Children’s Peace Libraries were founded by David Bucura and Jean Baptiste Hakizimana through the Transformational Leadership Center (TLC), with early support from the African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI). The program emerged from Rwanda’s history particularly the lasting social and emotional impacts of the Genocide against the Tutsi and a deep conviction that sustainable peace must be intentionally nurtured from childhood.

In the years following the genocide, rebuilding Rwanda required more than infrastructure; it required healing relationships, strengthening empathy, and equipping a new generation with the skills to resolve conflict peacefully. At the same time, many schools and communities faced a severe shortage of age-appropriate children’s books. When Rwanda transitioned to English as the language of instruction in 2009, the need for accessible, engaging English-language materials became even more urgent.

The Children’s Peace Libraries were created in response to both of these realities: the need to strengthen literacy and the need to cultivate peacebuilding skills in young people. By combining reading with guided discussion, social-emotional learning, and practical conflict resolution training, the program supports children not only in becoming confident readers, but also compassionate leaders.

Today, the work extends beyond physical library spaces to include school-based Read Aloud programs, Peace Clubs, Peer mediation and Peace Debates, and a growing Digital Library. Through these initiatives, children, teachers, and families gain access to peace-centered stories and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) resources throughout the week ensuring that literacy and peace education remain accessible, consistent, and community-centered.

This work is guided by a clear vision: a future of sustainable peace, shaped by children, families, and communities in Rwanda and beyond.

By combining interactive learning, digital innovation, and experiential activities, TLC ensures that children not only understand the principles of peace but also actively live them. Through the Children’s Peace Libraries and related programs, TLC is nurturing a new generation of responsible, peace-minded leaders committed to building a more harmonious Rwanda.

TLC Scholarship Program

At Transformational Leadership Center (TLC), we believe every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and succeed. Through our Scholarship Program, TLC helps vulnerable children in Rwanda overcome financial barriers and access quality education. The program supports orphans, children from extremely poor families, and students engaged in TLC’s Children Peace Libraries many of whom risk dropping out of school due to economic hardship. By providing scholarships, school materials, and mentorship, TLC ensures these children can stay in school and pursue their dreams.

Together with our partners and supporters, we are transforming lives one student at a time.

Leadership Empowerment

Under the Leadership Empowerment pillar, Transformational Leadership Center (TLC) develops ethical, responsible, and visionary leaders who are committed to building peaceful and resilient communities across Rwanda. The program includes training in good governance, community leadership, and organizational development, helping local leaders strengthen their initiatives and contribute effectively to community development. Participants gain practical experience that enables them to promote accountability, collaboration, and sustainable solutions within their communities.

A key component of this pillar is the facilitation of Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) workshops, where participants learn practical approaches to resolving conflicts without violence. Through interactive exercises, dialogue, and reflection, participants develop essential skills such as self-awareness, empathy, effective communication, and respect for diversity. In addition, TLC provides conflict resolution and mediation training to adults, equipping participants with tools such as active listening, negotiation, and collaborative problem-solving to address disputes in families, schools, and communities. Through these initiatives, TLC is empowering individuals to transform challenges into opportunities and contribute to lasting social change and a more harmonious Rwanda.

Community Mobilization for Poverty Reduction and Climate Resilience

Under this pillar, Transformational Leadership Center (TLC) empowers communities to improve livelihoods, strengthen food security, and adapt to climate challenges. TLC implements Food Security through conservation agriculture to enhance soil health and crop resilience in Gicumbi District. It also offers workshops focused on sustainable practices and encouraging participants to adopt environmentally friendly habits, climate resilience, and sustainable land management while also promoting tree planting initiatives that support environmental restoration.

TLC boosts household stability through village savings and loan associations, small livestock distribution for nutrition and income, and access to clean water via household filters. To strengthen families and communities, TLC provides gender-based violence awareness and conflict resolution training.

TLC runs the SheCreate Fellowship program, empowering young women (18–30 years old) with training, mentorship, leadership development, and seed funding to turn innovative ideas into impactful ventures. SheCreate addresses youth unemployment by helping participants build sustainable businesses that create jobs and solve community challenges. Through this fellowship, TLC is nurturing a new generation of women leaders driving inclusive economic growth and social transformation in Rwanda.

TLC supports young single mothers who have been rejected by their families and communities. The project provides holistic support that combines peacebuilding, trauma healing, socio-economic empowerment, and humanitarian assistance. Through community dialogue and conflict resolution training, the program promotes reconciliation and addresses gender-based violence. It also offers educational support, vocational training, and essential humanitarian assistance, including health insurance and basic hygiene supplies for mothers and their children.

By empowering young mothers and engaging community members, the project helps them rebuild dignity, regain independence, and successfully reintegrate into their communities.

Digital Empowerment

TLC prepares children for the digital world while fostering leadership and creativity. Through online reading, debates, research skills, and access to digital learning platforms, children enhance their knowledge and critical thinking. Digital content also promotes peacebuilding, social cohesion, and innovation, enabling children to confidently apply digital skills for learning, leadership, and community impact.