Aimable Mugisha
Empowering Leaders
Aimable Mugisha
NON-PROFIT FOUNDER | SOCCER COACH | ENGINEER | COHORT 5; RWANDA
Aimable Mugisha’s birth parents died before he turned three. Two years later, his adoptive parents were killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Aimable was adopted for a second time, never learning if any members of his biological family survived the genocide.
The trauma Aimable experienced in his early childhood left him grappling with big questions and hard emotions, but he found healing and freedom in Jesus.
Aimable is trained as a mechanical engineer, but his true passion is to serve Rwanda’s youth. He is committed to helping young people understand their value and realize their potential, especially those with similarly challenging backgrounds.
He loved soccer when he was younger – it helped him develop a community and grow his confidence – and God showed him how to use it as a tool to share the Gospel. This became the mission of Eleven Training Center, an organization Aimable launched in 2017 while working full-time as a machine operator.
In addition to high-level soccer training and discipleship, Eleven offers mentorship, education support, and clubs focused on exploring Rwandan culture and traditions. All of these initiatives are Christ-centered and help instill hope in youth.
Aimable shares that “Eleven helps kids discover their skills and potential. We want to inspire them to realize that they can start at the bottom but reach the top." Eleven grew quickly, and Aimable would work night shifts at the factory before spending all day with kids participating in his programs. Then, during the COVID pandemic, his employer suspended his contract. He didn’t know how he would support his family and sustain his ministry. He didn’t feel equipped as a leader to respond.
Aimable began praying for an opportunity to grow.
He says, “The Abundant Leadership Institute (ALI) was an answer to my prayers. The program empowered me to follow Christ’s example of servant leadership and adopt an abundant mentality instead of a scarcity mentality. It helped me serve and lead more effectively.” The training completely changed how he viewed his challenges, and even though his financial concerns remained, he began applying what he had learned.
Aimable and his team used an asset-based approach to run a soccer camp for over 250 kids. They also helped coordinate a national youth tournament and even arranged for the finals to be played under the lights at the national stadium. It was an incredible experience for the 13-year-old kids from rural communities.
While embracing sacrificial service, God opened a door for Aimable to get more consistent employment as a soccer coach. He completed a coaching certification and was hired by the Paris Saint-Germain Academy in Rwanda. Aimable views this opportunity as a new chance to share about Jesus. And despite the added responsibilities, he plans on continuing to grow Eleven.
Aimable’s impact is also growing outside of his ministry. He was so touched that people who didn’t know him chose to invest in his leadership journey that he also decided to support people he didn't know personally. He responded in a big way; he adopted four kids who were abandoned by their parents. Their lives will never be the same.
Kurumbuka Leadership Solutions exists to empower leaders like Aimable. He represents the impact one Christ-centered servant leader can make. ALI is helping him overcome challenges and accomplish his vision of using his background to inspire youth to achieve their dreams and live for Christ.
