Justus Uwayesu

Activist, Change Agent, Christian, Philanthropist, Public servant, Single, Social entrepreneur, Student

Once featured on front page of NY Times, Justus is currently an undergraduate student at Harvard University, pursuing bachelor’s degree in Economics. Justus has a passion for public service and social entrepreneurship. In 8th grade Justus started a charity and this charity has grew into a large Network of youth and has had a positive impact on lives poor students in in Rwandan Schools and poor people in many parts of Rwanda. At only three years old, Justus lost his parents in the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. Red Cross rescued Justus and his siblings during the tragic time, but 1999 a severe drought and famine hit his village. As a result, Justus found himself in the capital city’s main garbage dump where he slept in an abandoned car and ate from the mounds garbage. In 2001, a woman named Clare Effiong, the founder of Esthersaid.org found Justus and other kids in the dump and asked them what she could do to help them. Justus, who even at the age of nine was thoughtful, compassionate and a natural leader asked for an opportunity to go to school. Justus started school late in life but excelled academically.

Public Service, Social Entrepreneurship