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Call Us

+250 792 052 725

Mail Us

info@light4refugee.org

Location

Mahama Refugee Camp, Kirehe, Rwanda
Join the L4R Family

Your Future Starts
Here, With Us

Are you a refugee student in Rwanda, ready to take your future into your own hands? Light 4 Refugee is your community — where your dreams are nurtured, your voice is heard, and your success is a shared mission.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

— Nelson Mandela
Applications Closed
Cohort 2 — Bootcamp 2026 Closed — August 2026
Cohort 3 coming in 2027 — Stay tuned
Applications Closed

Cohort 2 — Field Week

Our second cohort completed its 2 Weeks on Field from 31 July –14 August 2026. Online mentoring continues for current mentees.

Field program Dates 31 July –14 August 2026.

Everything You Need to Go Further

As an L4R mentee, you get access to programs, mentors, and a community that believes in your potential unconditionally.

Intensive Academic Preparation

Sharpen your English language skills and critical thinking through a rigorous, refugee-informed curriculum designed to close the gap between your potential and your opportunities.

Personalised College Counseling

One-on-one guidance through university applications, personal statement writing, scholarship searches, and recommendation letters — so no door closes simply because you didn't know how to knock.

Career Guidance & Mentorship

Be matched with a professional mentor who shares your field of interest. Build a clear, confident path from school to career — with CV coaching, mock interviews, and real-world professional advice.

A Vibrant Global Network

Connect with fellow refugee students, international mentors, partner organisations, and alumni who have walked your path and are now changing the world — from Kigali to London to New York.

Free, Fully Supported Programs

Every L4R program is 100% free to eligible students. No hidden fees, no financial barriers. Your only investment is your commitment, curiosity, and willingness to grow.

A Community That Sees You

At L4R, you're not a statistic. You're a person with a story, potential, and a future worth investing in. Every mentor, every session, every program is built around you thriving — not just surviving.

Where We've Been & Where We're Going

Every cohort is a new chapter. Here's a transparent look at our journey — from our first Field Week to the programs we're building next.

● Applications Closed

College Readiness Bootcamp 2026 — Cohort 2

Field Week: 1 – 30 June 2026 · Online mentoring ongoing

Cohort 2 brought together refugee students from Rwanda's camps for an intensive month of scholarship preparation, English development, and leadership coaching. Applications are now closed. Online mentoring continues as scholars prepare for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Applications Closed
● Coming 2027

College Readiness Bootcamp 2027 — Cohort 3

Dates to be announced · Follow us to stay informed

Cohort 3 is on the horizon. We are building on everything we have learned from our first two cohorts to make the next experience even stronger. Applications are not yet open — follow Light4Refugee on social media so you are the first to know when they are.

Not Yet Open

Are You Eligible to Become an L4R Mentee?

Our programs are designed specifically for refugee students in Rwanda. We work hard to make sure the right students get the right support at the right time.

You must have refugee status in Rwanda
For Academic Prep & College Counseling: Senior 4 (S4) secondary students
For Career Guidance & Lighting Paths: current university students
Willing to commit to sessions and engage actively in the program
Access to a phone or device that can connect to the internet (for online sessions)
Resident in one of Rwanda's refugee camps or urban refugee communities

Don't perfectly match every criterion? Apply anyway when applications open — we assess every student holistically and with empathy. What matters most is your commitment and your desire to grow.

From Application to Graduation — Your Journey

01

Watch for Announcements

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or add your email below. We announce new cohort openings on our website and social channels first.

02

Submit Your Application

When applications open, fill out the Google Form with your background, goals, and which program you're applying for. The form is straightforward and takes about 10 minutes.

03

Selection & Notification

Our team reviews every application personally. Selected students are notified by email and phone within 2 weeks of the application deadline.

04

Onboarding & Matching

You'll be welcomed into your cohort, matched with a mentor, and briefed on your program schedule, expectations, and resources.

05

Learn, Grow & Shine

Attend sessions, engage with your mentor, build skills, and take steps toward your academic and career goals — one week at a time.

Find the Program That Fits You

Different stages, different needs. Here's every program we offer — and what's coming next.

L4R Bootcamp 2025

● Cohort 1 Closed

Intensive English language immersion and academic skills training for Senior 4 refugee students. Designed to close the critical language gap that stands between talented students and higher education.

English Immersion Critical Thinking S4 Students Free

L4R Bootcamp 2027

⏳ Cohort 3 — Coming 2027

Personalised guidance on university applications, personal statements, scholarship searches, and recommendation letters. Helping refugee students compete for higher education locally and internationally.

University Applications Scholarships Only S6 Students & High School Graduates Free

Career Lighting Paths

⏳ Launching Soon

An 11-week intensive career guidance program for refugee university students. From career mapping and CV writing to mock interviews and job placement — everything a graduate needs to launch their professional life.

11 Weeks University Students Job Readiness Free

College Readiness Bootcamp

⏳ Coming Soon

An intensive scholarship preparation bootcamp for high-performing S4–S6 refugee students. Deep dives into personal statement mastery, scholarship research, application strategy, and interview simulation.

Scholarships Interview Prep S4–S6 Students Free

Personal Mentorship Sessions

⏳ Integrated in Cohorts

One-on-one mentoring covering life skills, confidence building, goal setting, and emotional resilience. All mentees in active cohorts are matched with a personal mentor from our global network.

Life Skills Confidence All Levels Free

Light Club — Student Community

⏳ Growing & Active

The Light Club is our thriving student community — a space for current and alumni mentees to share updates, celebrate milestones, and support each other. Follow our Light Club Updates to stay in the loop.

Community Alumni Network Peer Support

Stay Tuned for Cohort 3

Applications for Cohort 3 and our upcoming programs — including Career Lighting Paths and the College Readiness Bootcamp — are coming soon. Drop your email below and we'll notify you the moment applications open. Be first. Don't miss it.

We respect your privacy. No spam, ever. Just one email when applications open.

College Counseling — Cohort 3 Career Lighting Paths College Readiness Bootcamp Academic Prep — Cohort 3

Words From Our Community

Hear from students whose journeys were changed by a single decision to apply — and the community that showed up for them.

"Before L4R, I didn't believe university was possible for someone like me. After the Field Week, I had a personal statement draft, two scholarships shortlisted, and — more than anything — I believed in myself again."

Aimée K.Cohort 1 Mentee · Mahama Camp

"My English was always my weakness. The sessions were intense but the mentors were patient and encouraging. After just a few weeks I could write essays I was proud of. L4R doesn't give up on you."

Jean-Pierre M.Cohort 2 Mentee · Kiziba Camp

"What surprised me most was the community. I wasn't just getting training — I was joining a family of people who genuinely wanted to see me succeed. That feeling of being seen is something I'd never had before."

Clarisse N.Cohort 2 Mentee · Kiziba Camp

Mentee Questions — Answered

Are L4R programs really free? +
Yes — 100% free. All L4R programs are completely free to eligible and selected refugee students. We believe financial barriers should never stand in the way of education and opportunity.
I don't have reliable internet — can I still participate? +
We do our best to accommodate students with limited connectivity. Our Field Week sessions are in-person, which helps. For online sessions, we work with mentees on scheduling and format to make participation as accessible as possible. Reach out to us and we'll figure it out together.
What if applications are closed when I check? +
Add your email to our notification list on this page. When a new cohort opens — whether it's Cohort 2, the Career Lighting Paths programme, or the College Readiness Bootcamp — you'll be among the very first to know.
I'm not at S4 level — can I still apply? +
Different programs serve different levels. The Career Lighting Paths programme is for current university students. Keep an eye on upcoming cohort announcements — we plan to expand our programs over time and criteria may vary per cohort.
How long do programs run? +
It varies by program. The Academic Prep Field Week is 5 days in-person followed by ongoing weekly online mentoring. The Career Lighting Paths programme runs for 11 weeks. The College Readiness Bootcamp duration will be announced when launched.

Your Moment Starts Now

You don't need to wait until the next cohort opens to take action. Add your email, follow us on social media, and make sure you're ready when your moment comes.

Get Notified Learn About L4R? Join the Light Club