About Us

Faith in Action, Change in Motion

Preamble

Friends of Bierlmeier Family Foundation (FB2F) is a result of a long experience of 34 years of Mr. Jean Baptiste SENGAYIRE in the fight for human person dignity and identity specifically children in East Africa, Great Lakes Region and even in other areas of the world.

Mr. Jean Baptiste SENGAYIRE is a Rwanda national, he is married and father of seven (7) children. He was born at Ishara in 1960, in Kagano sector, Nyamasheke District, in Western Province of Rwanda. For security reasons, his parents moved to Kigali in 1968 where he currently lives with his family, in Kigarama sector, Kicukiro district. Since 1992, this area was firstly HIV/AIDS prone due to rampant prostitutions caused by international goods transporters, then insecurity, war and genocide against Tutsis in 1994.

It is in this area that Mr. Jean Baptiste SENGAYIRE established in 1991 the movement « Mission of the Glorious Cross of St. Francis of Assisi » and its various activities designed for consolation, self-esteem and respect of dignity for all which have significantly changed that area to the extent that today it has become a city for peace that attracts pilgrims from across the world to draw inspiration from this good culture of peace and life sharing.

Origin of The Name “Friends of Bierlmeier Family Foundation"

A man named Michael Bierlmeier from Germany, in Hechingen, Baden-Wurttemberg city, in Southwestern Germany, is among the first people to come to Rwanda shortly after genocide against Tutsi in 1994. With his wife Cornelia Bierlmeier, they have touched the hearts of many people across the world as they dedicated their life to orphans and other vulnerable people from different countries including Rwanda. This prompted them to establish, in their country, a non- government organization called “Kinder Brauchen Frieden e.V” which means “Children Need Peace”. They had fostered three (3) orphans including a Rwandese girl. They treated those children like their biological ones. In Rwanda, Cornelia Bierlmeier was and still she is called “Mama Africa” for her outstanding actions towards children.

The idea to establish a foundation named after Bierlmeier family was motivated first by his good example of a man of high integrity, who used to be a nurse, spending nights and nights without sleeping caring for the sick, and above all he moved in the whole Germany visiting different schools in search for support intended to orphans from countries in wars or from very poor countries.

Having known him, partnered with him for a long time, experiencing how his life was primarily concerned about helping children, and considering their hospitality when they received me and hosted me at their home many times is another reason behind this foundation. Michael Bierlmeier died in 2009 and his wife Cornelia Bierlmeier died in 2021. They were still active in their commitment to serve people. It is worth that African children either those who have been privileged to know this family or others, their friends who encountered or those who have heard about them should not at any point forget this family which has been an example to emulate in terms of integrity and love in our region, Africa and the whole world.

Personally, based on the experience of 34 years in the ministry of preaching sacrificing love to people, fighting for peace and brotherhood deprived of segregation whatsoever between people and persons in the world (Fratelli Tutti 106), I realized that there are equally other people of good will who don’t even belong to any denomination but who have a good heart of helping others.

Mission

A world where members of the society are living productive lives, in a mutual dignity within robust and vibrant communities, where self-reliance is our ultimate destination.

Our Mission

To create shared value through sustainable local solutions, in enhancing economic development through design and implementation of a portfolio of projects and entrepreneurship.

Core Values

Self Confidence
Productive
Honesty
Consistency

Partnerships

FB2F will seek partnerships, collaborations locally, nationally, regionally and internationally in various sectors to ensure we get expertise, best practices and skills needed to confront challenges faced by our members and transform their socio-economic status. Pulling resources together, supporting socio-economic inclusion, strengthening the capacity of most disadvantaged families especially widows, single and young mothers will respond effectively to current socio-economic challenges and the end results will be financial sustainability.

FB2F starts with East Africa; one of the most Socio-economic challenged regions but its operations and reception will grow to the whole African Continent and beyond embracing those adhering to its vision of promoting accountability, efficiency, transparency, good governance, leadership and sustainability.

Mission Fulfillment

Friends of Bierlmeier Family Foundation pursues its mission through a combination of Fundraising, Mission-related investments and Donations.

Fundraising: Friends of Bierlmeier Family Foundation organizes fundraising events aiming at supporting activities of the foundation.
Mission-related investments: Based on decisions of the founding family and in collaboration with the Board of Directors, Friends of Bierlmeier Family Foundation aims at sensitizing people to be productive and invest for the future instead of being a consumption society.
Donations: Friends of Bierlmeier Family Foundation opens its hand to any donations from trustworthy donors fighting for a bright future of the society and who have constructive