Venuste Kubwimana, the President of ITF-USA, was born and brought up in a rural, poor family in the Southern province of a Rwanda village. He lost almost everyone in his family during the 1994 genocide, making it even more difficult to meet daily needs. From a young age, Venuste faced the necessity of frequently leaving his village in search of work to afford essentials, including school fees. Despite his efforts, securing stable employment as a 14-year-old boy proved challenging. The frustrations he endured, balancing secondary boarding school and odd jobs to support himself and his siblings, ignited within him an unwavering passion to create opportunities for young people facing similar adversities. Thus, he became a key leader at International Transformation Foundation, Inc.
International Transformation Foundation, Inc. (ITF) was registered in 2022 as a Houston-based, 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization. The organization was first registered as an international, youth-led nonprofit organization in Kenya in 2010. It provides programs that empower youth and foster community development, and it was inspired by a devotion to improve access to water resources, teach business skills and create income opportunities for youth.
The expansion into the USA offers young people in America volunteer opportunities to take part in clean water initiatives in Africa, producing educational, social and intercultural experiences. The expansion into the USA encourages volunteers to create and organize their impact projects, which ultimately lead to a trip to Africa to implement these projects. Additionally, volunteers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in cultural and tourist experiences during their time in Africa.
In 2018, ITF was officially registered in Rwanda as an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO). This registration followed an invitation to replicate one of ITF's successful social innovations, "A Water Kiosk at School," aimed at enhancing the quality and learning outcomes in primary and secondary education across the country.
Today, ITF's programs benefit over 219,000 people daily, with more than 110 young individuals from various countries leading the day-to-day operations. Recognized globally for our impact, ITF has attained special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations and accreditation from the European Union through its Erasmus Plus program. ITF was also granted the 2021 Most Innovative Development Project Award from the Global Development Network.
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VISION
To empower communities through transformative cross-cultural experiences that drive social and economic advancement, foster understanding and promote a shared commitment to equity
MISSION
To provide African communities with clean water through kiosks and fountains, supporting education and entrepreneurship while engaging American youth volunteers to lead and implement water projects, fostering leadership and enriched educational, intercultural and social experience in Africa.
WHAT
WE
DO?
ITF sets up water kiosks at schools in rural and urban informal communities as well as public drinking tap water fountains in urban areas across Africa, ensuring access to reliable, clean water for the community members. Having access to clean water improves public health by reducing waterborne diseases, boosts economic productivity by freeing up time spent collecting water, helps youth stay committed to their studies and contributes to social development by improving hygiene practices and empowering communities.
Additionally, ITF offers young people from America the chance to actively plan, organize and visit project sites for implementation of these water projects, fostering a unique cross-cultural experience that fosters significant personal and professional growth for young leaders.
Our Approach
Youth Empowerment
Providing youth-led programs that foster creativity, leadership and
entrepreneurship, shaping today’s youth into leaders.
Clean Water Access
Providing reliable and affordable clean tap water to African communities promoting social and economic advancement as well as environmental conservation.
Education and Business Skills
Ensuring children’s education by removing the need for long-
distance travel for clean water and imparting basic business management skills while they sell water from the sustainable water delivery systems
Global Vision
Building empowered and connected communities worldwide.
Our Development Areas
We provide resources and opportunities, including jobs and financial services, to help youth and communities succeed.
We work with communities and schools to keep children in school and teach basic business management skills through sustainable drinking water services.
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
We implement clean drinking water systems, promote environmental conservation with reusable water bottles and ensure water accessibility.
We partner with youth-friendly organizations worldwide on collaborative projects to achieve mutual goals.
Economic Empowerment
Education Empowerment
Partnerships & Capacity Building
PROGRAMS & PROJECTS.
ITF empowers young people to develop and implement sustainable community solutions. Our flagship project, “A Water Kiosk at School,” provides clean, affordable water to schools, enhancing education and health in rural and urban informal communities across Africa. We also set up public drinking tap water fountains in urban areas, ensuring free access to reliable, clean water for everyone.
Our volunteers lead these initiatives, gaining hands-on community development experience. Additionally, ITF offers ”Trip to Africa” to young people and various groups and organizations from America the opportunity by actively planning, organizing, and visiting project sites in Africa. This fosters a unique cross-cultural experience that promotes significant personal and professional growth.
