About Dream Village Rwanda

From a youth-led vision to a nationally recognized organization transforming HIV outcomes and youth futures.
dream village soyee youth participants cultural show
7,000+
Trained & Empowered Youth
30,000+
lives changed
9
active programs across Rwanda
3,582
health centre contacts
84%
average viral suppression rate among youth living with HIV

Our Story

From a bold idea in 2016 to a trusted partner shaping youth health systems in Rwanda.

Dream Village Rwanda was founded in 2016 by Norman Manzi with a simple but powerful vision. Young people living with HIV should be seen as agents of social change, not as victims or beneficiaries.

That vision has grown into a national movement. Today, Dream Village is recognized as a leading youth-led organization working at the center of Rwanda’s health and development systems.

Registered as NGO No. 237/RGB/NGO/LP/06/2018 and ED-certified by NGOsource, Dream Village combines grassroots engagement with institutional credibility.

Our Vision

A Rwanda where all young people, including those affected by HIV, are empowered as agents of social change shaping a healthy, resilient, and inclusive society.

Our Mission

To empower young people, especially those affected by HIV, through integrated health, livelihood, agriculture, and economic strengthening programs that enable them to thrive, influence social change, and improve their quality of life.

Our Core Values

The principles that guide our work and shape our impact.

Youth Leadership

Young people drive our decisions and implementation

Equity

We prioritize the most vulnerable and marginalized

Accountability

We deliver measurable results and remain transparent

Innovation

We pilot new approaches and adapt based on evidence

Partnership

We strengthen systems through collaboration

Sustainability

We build long-term financial and organizational resilience

Our Journey

Key milestones in building a youth-led organization with national impact.
2016
Founded by Norman Manzi with a vision to empower youth living with HIV
2019
Launched the CATS model across 12 health facilities. Opened Rwanda Nook Hub self-learning center
2020–2021
Expanded to serve over 2,000 youth. Built partnerships with Plan International
2022
Received African Visionary Fellowship from Segal Family Foundation
2023
Launched SOYEE Hubs for vocational training
2025
Became a Global Fund GC7 grantee for AGYW programs. Selected as 1 of 8 local partners
2026
Scaling to reach over 5,000 youth and advancing national integration of CATS

Our Integrated Approach

Combining health, empowerment, and livelihoods to create lasting change.

We recognize that young people need more than health services alone.
Our work integrates three key areas:

Health support to improve adherence and wellbeing
Economic empowerment to build independence
Skills and opportunities to restore dignity and confidence

What Makes Dream Village Different

A youth-led organization working at the center of systems, not at the margins.

Unlike traditional organizations that operate alongside health systems, Dream Village is embedded within Rwanda’s national response.

We contribute to national HIV strategy, train government health providers, and participate in Technical Working Groups that shape policy and implementation.

Our approach is rooted in a simple insight. Young people are not the problem. Barriers such as stigma, lack of trust, and limited access are.

Our peer-led model removes these barriers. When a young person living with HIV connects with a peer who is successfully managing their health, behavior changes and outcomes improve.

Partner With a Proven Youth-Led Model

Let's join hands to transform Rwanda

Dream Village is transforming how Rwanda delivers youth health and empowerment. Work with us to scale impact, strengthen systems, and reach more young people.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Dream Village operates in multiple districts across Rwanda, including Kigali and expansion areas such as Rwamagana, Kayonza, and Kamonyi. We work through health facilities, communities, and youth centers.

Yes. Dream Village is integrated into Rwanda’s health system. We work with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, participate in Technical Working Groups, and implement government-supported programs such as AGYW initiatives.

Dream Village is youth-led and system-integrated. We do not only run programs, we strengthen national systems. Our peer-led model allows us to reach young people more effectively, especially those who are often left out of traditional services.

We provide training in health education, life skills, entrepreneurship, and vocational skills. Through programs like SOYEE Hubs and Rwanda Nook Hub, young people gain practical skills that help them become economically independent.

We support youth through vocational training, entrepreneurship programs, and agribusiness initiatives. These programs help young people start businesses, find employment, and build sustainable sources of income.

We track key outcomes such as HIV treatment adherence, viral suppression rates, number of youth supported, and economic outcomes. Our programs are designed to deliver measurable results and continuous improvement.

We work with government institutions, international organizations, and local partners. These include the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Plan International Rwanda, Health Development Initiative, UNAIDS, and others.

Our programs are designed for young people, especially those affected by HIV, young mothers, and vulnerable youth who need support in health, education, and livelihoods.

Yes. Young people can participate in our programs, join peer support initiatives, or engage in training and empowerment opportunities.

Young people relate better to other young people. A peer-led approach builds trust, reduces stigma, and improves engagement, especially in sensitive areas such as HIV care and mental health.

We use peer education, community engagement, and support groups to reduce stigma. By creating safe spaces and promoting understanding, we help young people feel supported and confident.

Organizations and donors can partner with us to scale our programs, support youth initiatives, and strengthen Rwanda’s health system. We welcome collaboration across research, funding, and program implementation.

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