What We Do

Kina-Unirinde (Health & Wellness Through Football)

“Kina-Unirinde,” meaning “Play and Protect Yourself” in Kinyarwanda, is a curriculum-based program that leverages football to provide health education and empower youth to tackle critical issues, including HIV/AIDS, hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, mental health, substance abuse, and unwanted pregnancies. By engaging youth early, the program aims to improve their long-term health and equip them with essential life skills for personal and societal growth.

With a holistic approach, Kina-Unirinde addresses wellness comprehensively, promoting behavior change, access to health services, and fostering healthy attitudes. The curriculum includes vital components on gender equality and life skills to support the development of positive health behaviors. Participants are also given referrals to specialist health services, including HIV testing, counseling, and medical follow-up as needed.

Program Reach and Impact

Launched in 2019 with funding from AHF and UNICEF Rwanda, Kina-Unirinde has reached over 5,000 adolescents (ages 13-19) across Rwanda, providing critical education on sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and the prevention of violence against women and girls. By investing in youth, we aim to empower the next generation with the tools they need for a healthier, more equitable future.

Girls Champion Program

The Girls Champion initiative is a transformative program designed to empower young girls and women who face social stigma, discrimination, or limited opportunities. By leveraging sports as a tool for personal and community development, this program uses football and life skills sessions—anchored in the KINA-UNIRINDE methodology—to instill critical qualities such as teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Through active participation, the program helps girls break gender stereotypes, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to thrive both on and off the field. These empowered individuals go on to lead within their families and communities, creating a ripple effect of positive social change.

The Girls Champion program not only addresses the unique challenges faced by young women but also positions them as catalysts for community transformation. As they overcome social and economic barriers, they lay the foundation for the next generation of leaders. By expanding partnerships and opportunities, Umuri Foundation remains committed to creating safe, supportive environments where girls can grow, lead, and inspire others—proving that empowered girls truly lead to empowered communities.

Social Economic Change

Using football as a catalyst for environmental awareness and sustainable economic development in communities.