Odile Niyomugaba is driven by a passion for creating social impact through education, gender equality, and refugee empowerment. Born in Burundi and raised in Mahama Refugee Camp, Rwanda, she turned hardship into determination, viewing education as her path to freedom. She holds a Bachelor’s in International Relations, a Diploma in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, and is pursuing a Master of Philosophy in International Relations at the University of Oxford.
Her work centers on empowering refugees, advancing education, and fostering community leadership. She believes being a refugee does not define one’s limits but strengthens the resolve to rise beyond them. Odile’s vision is to use her lived experience to shape compassionate, effective strategies for displaced people by examining how global conflicts, migration policies, and humanitarian systems affect lives. Her journey is one of transformation, from pain to purpose, from displacement to leadership. Odile aspires to be a bridge-builder across cultures, inspiring displaced youth to dream boldly and create lasting change. at Raise Them Foundation, Odile serves as a Chief Impact and Partnerships Lead.