In this special episode of Resilient Voices of Refugees, we turn the mic toward someone who has spent the last several years amplifying the voices of others — Solange Ingabire. Known across East Africa and beyond for her fearless advocacy and deep compassion, Solange is the co-founder of Refugee Youth Changemakers (RYCM), a refugee-led organization working to empower displaced youth through education, leadership, and opportunity.
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in a refugee camp in Rwanda, Solange knows firsthand the obstacles refugee youth face. Yet, her journey from displacement to distinction has been marked by determination, purpose, and an unwavering belief that refugees are not helpless — they are hopeful, capable, and ready.
In this episode, Solange opens up about her upbringing in a refugee camp, her path to earning a degree at EARTH University in Costa Rica, and how she came to co-found RYCM with a vision to transform refugee lives through systemic change. Solange has become a global voice for youth inclusion, bridging cultures and communities with empathy and excellence.
“Refugees Are Waiting — Not for Sympathy, But for Opportunity”
Solange speaks with clarity and conviction about one of her deepest passions: education for displaced youth. She believes that access to education is not a luxury — it is a human right, and the most powerful tool to break cycles of poverty and powerlessness.
For Solange, refugee youth are not just victims of circumstance — they are leaders, thinkers, entrepreneurs, and problem solvers. But many are simply locked out of opportunity. Without inclusive education systems, targeted scholarships, and community-led solutions, thousands of displaced youth remain out of school, unable to dream beyond survival.
Learn More About Solange: refugeeycm.org/ingabire-solange
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