Solid’Africa began by providing daily meals to just five patients. Today, the organization has served more than 12 million meals over its 15 years of operation.
On July 24, 2026, Solid’Africa held a ceremony to celebrate its 15th anniversary. The event was attended by First Lady Jeannette Kagame, the organization’s leadership, development partners, and other distinguished guests.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady praised Solid’Africa for addressing the challenge faced by patients without caregivers in Rwanda’s hospitals and reaffirmed that Imbuto Foundation will continue working closely with the organization.
“Truthfully, no patient should die of hunger. Isabelle (Solid’Africa founder) became a light that inspired others. She started with her friends, volunteers, and many others who chose to follow her example. You reminded us that each of us can do something so that after every meal served, another one follows,” she said.
Solid’Africa Chief Executive Officer Nassir Katuramu reflected on the organization’s history, explaining that it was founded by three women—Isabelle Kamariza, Mama Zouzou, and Ariane Inkesha—who began by delivering porridge, bread, milk, and cooked meals to five patients without caregivers at CHUK Hospital.
“They promised those five patients that they would never again lack food,” Katuramu said.
He noted that the number of beneficiaries has steadily increased, with the organization now having served 12 million meals. In 2025 alone, Solid’Africa provided 3.2 million meals, benefiting around 130,000 patients.
Beyond supporting patients, the organization has expanded its work to include school feeding programs. It currently provides meals to more than 15,000 schoolchildren and aims to reach 255,000 children in 160 schools by 2030.
Solid’Africa has also helped 7,000 farmers access reliable markets and plans to connect more than 50,000 farmers to markets by 2035 through its Farm-to-Plate initiative.
Imbuto Foundation began partnering with Solid’Africa in 2014, helping construct the organization’s first central kitchen in Rusororo, replacing the founders’ home kitchen so meals could be prepared on a larger scale.
Founder Isabelle Kamariza said the organization’s achievements would not have been possible without the support of its partners.
“Everything we have accomplished over the years has been made possible by people here in Rwanda, our friends, families, volunteers, and everyone who dedicated themselves to helping those in need,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to the Government of Rwanda, Imbuto Foundation, and other donors for supporting the organization’s mission.
Among those who shared their testimonies was Jean Bosco Ruzibiza, who received food assistance and hospital bill support from Solid’Africa in 2010.
“What they did for me went beyond assistance—they became family. Even after I was discharged from the hospital, they continued to support and follow up on me until I recovered and rebuilt my life,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Esperance Niyigena from Rubavu District, recounted how Solid’Africa supported her family while her children were receiving medical treatment, including referrals to hospitals in Tanzania and Kenya.
“Sadly, we lost our four-year-old child, which was devastating for our family. But Solid’Africa stood by us and continued supporting our five-year-old child during six months of treatment in Kenya and later in Tanzania,” she said.
Many beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the organization, with some saying they were inspired by the support they received and have since joined Solid’Africa’s efforts to help vulnerable patients without caregivers.
Courtesy of IGIHE
