I'm a Rwandan-American software engineer. I was fortunate enough to make it to the US, build a career here, and have opportunities that changed the trajectory of my life.
I've been thinking for a long time about how I could give something back.
So I built joinfabfriends.org.
The idea is pretty simple: think GoFundMe, but specifically for Rwandan college students who need help paying for things like tuition and textbooks.
There are incredibly talented students in Rwanda for whom a relatively small amount of money can be the difference between continuing their education and dropping out. I want Fab Friends to make that gap a little easier for people like me, and hopefully some of you to help close it.
I'm starting small. I want to learn whether this model works, how to make the process trustworthy and transparent.
And because just asking HN for money felt boring, here's my slightly unusual donor perk:
If you become a donor(Good Samaritan), you're invited to come to Rwanda with me in summer 2027.
You still have to pay your own way . I'm an engineer, not Emirates.
But I'll be your guide. We'll see Rwanda, eat very well, meet some of the students we've helped(make sure to bring hiking shoes).
I'd love your feedback, especially around:
-what level of transparency you'd expect around donations -what would make you trust/distrust a platform like this -anything about the sitethat feels confusing
And, of course, if one of the students' stories resonates with you, I'd be grateful if you became their Fab Friend.
Murakoze cyane!
Show HN: Fab Friends a crowdfunding site for Rwandan college students
joinfabfriends.org