Janvier Manirakiza
Janvier Manirakiza was born and raised in Burundi, experiencing poverty and extreme violence as a child during the Burundian civil war. He is the founder and executive director of Dreaming for Change, which supports early childhood development, teachers’ and vocational training, girls’ education, women’s entrepreneurship, food security, and community infrastructure. His work has led him to the Obama Foundation Africa Leaders Program, YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa’s Transformation Fund Award, and a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship. Manirakiza is committed to bringing meaningful contributions to the people of Burundi and believes that the right education and development opportunities can strongly contribute to peace, economic stability, and community healing.