OUR STORY
PIKADE is short for (PIONNIERS DE KANYARU POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT) translated in English as Kanyaru Pioneers for Development.
Kanyaru was a primary school, very historical name for the founders of this organization.
During a more than 13-year civil war erupted in a landlocked central-east country “Burundi”, the ordeal caused thousands of people to flee the country to neighboring countries including, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
PIKADE’s founders share their memories as refugees and young students at KANYARU Primary School located in Mtabila 1 Camp, Kasulu, Kigoma, Tanzania. After the Refugee camp was closed, many returned to their motherland, but others were granted refugee asylum and relocated to North America, Europe, and Australia back in 2007-2012. After many years of separation, some of the students who attended the school reunite, thanks to social media platforms (Facebook and Whatsapp) that facilitated this process of reunification. A Whatsapp group called KANYARU SCHOOL was formed, members were constantly reminded of where they came from and how they were helped. From such conversations the idea of starting a nonprofit organization that would uplift young students and communities that share similar stories was born.
TEAM AND lEADERSHIP
Obed NDAYIGENDAKO, a medical student and licensed practitioner in Burundi, has been serving as PIKADE’s President and CEO since December 2016. He is a valuable asset to the board, PIKADE’s operations and the whole community.
Jonathan NIYOMWUNGERE, is a founding member, and currently lives in Belgium. He has contributed a lot to the organization’s growth, especially since occupying his new position as the Organization’s Board Chairman since 2020.
Stephano MAKACHA is a founding member and the organization’s Director of Operations since 2021 after serving as a director of Finances from 2017 to 2021. He currently resides in Nevada, USA. PIKADE expresses gratitude to his continuous dedication and contribution, his exceptional work ethic to ensure the success of all operations, programs, projects and activities.
MANIRAKOZE Democracie a founding member, and she plays a vital role in our team as the Director of Finance. She is compassionate with zeal to helping others.
Christmas NSABIMANA is an important integral to PIKADE Community. He is a former teacher who played significant role reuniting students who studied under him. He later moved to the U.S.A. and continued to serve as an advisor and I.T. personnel. The establishment of this PIKADE due to his initiative and zealous role as the intermediate.