Martine Umulisa of Kaami Arts and Gaspard Twagirayezu, the founder of Creation Hill, a technology firm, have emerged winners of this year’s Tigo Reach for Change Awards.

The two will receive $25,000 (about Rwf16.75m) annually for up to three years, to implement their projects. 

The awards focus on projects that promote the children’s welfare and were organised by Tigo and Reach for Change, a Swedish non-profit organisation that supports children and youth causes. Social entrepreneurs are individuals with innovative solutions to society’s most pressing social problems. Rather than leaving societal needs to the government, social entrepreneurs find what is not working and solve the problem by changing the system, spreading the solution, and supporting societies to improve their previously bad situations. 

Umulisa and Twagirayezu won after pitching impressive project ideas compared to four other contestants during the finals presided over by an international jury on Monday.

Umulisa’s idea was about stimulating expression and creativity of children through arts and helping the disadvantaged, with the aim of preventing an increase in the number of street children.

Twagirayezu’s project aims at encouraging children to develop an interest in technological innovations so as to be more productive once enrolled in his technology hub.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Tongai Maramba, the Tigo Rwanda general manager, said the winners would also receive professional advice from the firm to be able to transform their ideas into sustainable ventures.

Last year’s winners, Jean Ntazinda presented projects on affordable solar lights for children in rural areas, while Jacques Kayisire set up a football academy.