More than 180 local and international golfers attended the Friends of World Vision Rwanda Golf Tournament.
KIGALI – The Friends of World Vision Rwanda Golf Tournament, held on Saturday at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, drew more than 180 local and international golfers, corporate leaders and development partners.
By the end of the tournament, the organization had secured new corporate partnerships that will support its expanding school feeding initiative in Burera district, where a centralized kitchen is expected to serve about 8,000 children across eight schools.
What began as a charity golf tournament has opened a new chapter for World Vision Rwanda’s fight against child malnutrition, bringing businesses into a partnership model designed to outlast a single day on the course.
The project has grown beyond its original fundraising ambition, with World Vision using the tournament to recruit companies willing to contribute expertise, technology and long-term corporate social responsibility programs alongside financial support.
World Vision Rwanda’s National Director, Pauline Okumu, said the tournament represents a broader effort to turn partnerships into lasting solutions for children’s wellbeing.
Golfers, businesses, and partners gathered for the Friends of World Vision Rwanda Annual Golf Tournament.
“With the funds mobilized through this tournament, we will contribute to establish and equip a centralized school feeding kitchen in Burera district as part of World Vision Rwanda’s Integrated School Feeding Model,” Okumu said.
She explained that the facility will provide nutritious school meals to thousands of learners while strengthening a model that combines school feeding with wider community resilience.
“The measure of an initiative like this is not simply the funds raised or the number of people who participated. It is the difference we are able to make in the lives of children. The project’s greatest value lies in what happens after the tournament,” she said.
The organization plans to break ground for the centralized kitchen in October, inviting partners to see how support generated through the tournament translates into long-term investments in children’s health, education and nutrition.
Beyond Sponsorship
One of the strongest messages to emerge from the tournament was that World Vision is no longer seeking sponsors alone. Instead, it is building partnerships that allow companies to integrate their existing programs into community development work.
Tournament Director Keith Bunyenyezi said businesses from sectors including banking, mining and aviation used the event to explore collaborations extending far beyond the golf course.
“We’re looking for long-term partnerships. They don’t need to bring cash. We want them to come on board through what they already do, whether it’s CSR initiatives, environmental programs or other expertise that can create lasting impact,” Bunyenyezi said.
He said some companies are already exploring collaborations around carbon programs, tree planting and other initiatives that align with World Vision’s work in communities.
Burera remains the starting point, but Bunyenyezi said the organization hopes to expand the model to other districts and humanitarian priorities as the annual tournament grows.
‘Every Child Deserves Enough’
Israel Mbonyi is the Brand Ambassador of the ENOUGH Campaign.
The tournament’s fundraising message continued into the gala dinner, where Israel Mbonyi, Brand Ambassador of the ENOUGH Campaign, challenged participants to keep supporting child nutrition beyond the event itself.
“Every child deserves enough nutritious food, enough care, enough support and enough opportunity to reach their God-given potential. Let’s not stop tonight. When we come together, we can do more than raise awareness. We can change lives,” Mbonyi said.
He urged businesses and individuals to continue investing their platforms, resources and influence in solutions that help children thrive.
Champions Crowned
The tournament also crowned champions across six competition categories.
Aimable Mpore claimed the Seniors title with a score of 74, while Olivia Ntambara won the Ladies Handicap 0–18 categories with 71 and added the Longest Driver prize in the women’s division.
In the men’s categories, Francis Nkwaka won Handicap 0–9 with 71, Eric Tuyishimire topped Handicap 10–18 with 71, and Byishimo Basire secured the Handicap 19–28 title with 68, the lowest winning score across the men’s divisions.
Roshni Shah captured the Ladies Handicap 19–36 title with 68, while special prizes included air tickets, hotel stays and electronics.
Fahad Adil, Evans Mose, Sheetal Philip and Kpchae Ra were among the nearest-to-the-pin winners, with prizes ranging from regional flights to a 55-inch television.
As the trophies were handed out, the message remained fixed on what partnerships can achieve. It’s the beauty of using a tournament to create a blueprint for expanding nutrition solutions to more communities across Rwanda.
