Meet Our Board of Directors
Christine Karebwayire
FOUNDING PRESIDENT
Christine Karebwayire was born in a Rwandan refugee camp in Burundi. After Christine was born, her parents moved to Tanzania and lived in a refugee camp and this is where she grew up with her grandparents. In 1994, the family moved back to Rwanda.
Christine is currently a full-time Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Canada, providing support to adolescents in a mental-health unit. Before becoming an LPN, Christine worked in a nursing home in Calgary, where she readily connected with seniors, spending time together and sharing stories. They were like her grandparents. Just as Christine was loved by her grandparents, she is generous with her love for others and especially for seniors. Christine is resilient, happy and friendly, on a mission to help ease the pain of those who suffer.
Caroline Lowther
BOARD SECRETARY
Caroline Lowther has a Bachelor of Nursing degree, as well as a degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. Caroline works with Christine Karabwayire at the Foothills Medical Centre, supporting adolescents with mental-health struggles. Caroline was so inspired by Christine’s dedication to Seniors Life Centre (SLC) that she decided to join the Board of Directors in July 2019.
Caroline’s caring and compassionate spirit, as well as her strong desire to help others, her teamwork experience and organizational skills, all align with the goals of the SLC. Through her work experience, Caroline has witnessed the impact that a safe, secure and supportive environment can provide, and wishes to extend that to vulnerable seniors in Rwanda and Canada.
Caroline lives in Calgary with her husband and young son. They have many adventures together and enjoy travelling, cooking, reading, playing board games, camping, biking, and exploring new places.
Aline Muhongayire
BOARD TREASURER
Aline is a highly experienced Financial and Administrative Management Specialist with significant and successful experience in program and project-management, including funds, budget development and management, bookkeeping, and oversight of wide and varied human resources and administrative issues.
Aline’s hobbies include prayer, reading the Bible, Rwanda traditional dancing, cooking, watching movies and travelling. Aline is passionate about helping people in need, visiting them and providing whatever she can to improve their quality of life, including the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects.
Aline’s values include trust, honesty, integrity, love, and compassion. Aline feels honoured to work with Seniors Life Centre as a way to be of service for seniors who survived the genocide against the Tutsis in 1994.
Marlene Nelson
FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR
Marlene Nelson is a retired public-school teacher/principal. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Education in French and Sociology and a Master of Arts in Linguistics. She currently works part-time with Ambrose University, coaching pre-service teachers during their field experience.
Marlene treasures time spent with family and friends. Her hobbies include listening to music, dancing, hiking, cycling, skiing, cooking, dining out and travelling.
Marlene is passionate about social-justice issues and does what she can to help make the world a more just place for all. She is an avid volunteer and has participated in marches, parades, vigils, protests, walk-a-thons, bike-a-thons, and many other fundraisers, including summitting Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Calgary Health Trust. Marlene values empathy, honesty, integrity, kindness, compassion, and generosity. It’s no wonder she happily joined the Board of Seniors Life Centre.
Pastor Deborah Ngezayo
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Pastor Deb has a degree in the School of Ministry and Leadership. In addition to preaching the word of God, Pastor Deb is a passionate Community Social Worker.
She loves people and is committed and dedicated to helping them solve their everyday challenges to succeed. Pastor Deb worked with widows and orphans survivors of the Rwandan genocide of 1994; she advocates for those who are in need; she helped sex workers, in partnership with USAID; and hosted a charity radio program, offering counselling services.
Pastor Deb’s hobbies are praying, preaching, reading, cooking and learning the word of God
Eugene Methode Ruzindana
BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE, REPRESENTING RWANDA ADVISORY TEAM
Eugene Methode holds a Master’s degree in International Law and Settlement of Disputes and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Eugene Methode is a life-long learner as evidenced by his involvement in significant professional-development and continuing-education opportunities, including, International Refugee Law, International Humanitarian Law, and Senior Mission Leaders. Eugene Methode’s resume is impressive, he is a former Junior Lecturer of Political Science at University; he held a Diplomatic Position at the Rwanda Embassy in Washington DC; and he has served as a director on the boards of various institutions.
Pastor Dan Muhire
BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE, REPRESENTING RWANDA ADVISORY TEAM
Pastor Dan was born in Tanzania in a refugee camp, where he was raised by his both parents who were refugees. Dan is a trained Minister who works with Christian Worship Ministries as Deputy Legal Representative in Rwanda. Dan serves as full time Pastor at Kanombe Worship Center.
Dan inherited the love for people from his grandparents. Dan is ever passionate and compassionate for the desperate seniors who have nobody to take care of them.
Dan values this proverb “Ndinda mwana” that’s where they are.
Rwanda Advisory Team
Appolinaire Nyamasenga, MBA
CHAIRPERSON
Appolinaire brings to the Seniors Life Centre team a solid education combined with a strong experience in finance and administration management gained from over 20 years working experience in non-governmental, private and public sectors. His areas of expertise include financial management, development planning, procurement and contract management.
Pastor Dan Muhire
DEPUTY CHAIR AND FUNDRAISING DIRECTOR
Dan was born in Tanzania in a refugee camp, where he was raised by his both parents who were refugees. Dan is a trained Minister who works with Christian Worship Ministries as Deputy Legal Representative in Rwanda. Dan serves as full time Pastor at Kanombe Worship Center.
Dan inherited the love for people from his grandparents. Dan is ever passionate and compassionate for the desperate seniors who have nobody to take care of them.
Dan values this proverb “Ndinda mwana” that’s where they are.
Jean Marie Vianney Nzamwita
SECRETARY
Jean Marie Vianney NZABAMWITA was born in the Southern Province of Rwanda. Jean Marie Vianney holds a Master’s degree in Education. He is currently the Director for a Technical School in Kigali. He is the Secretary of Senior Life Centre’s Rwanda Advisory Team.
Liliane Uwimpuhwe
TREASURER
Liliane studied Financial Accounting at the University of Lay Adventist of Kigali (UNILAK) and has a passion for financial management. Prior to joining Seniors Life Centre, Liliane worked in various disciplines and organizations such as CANAL PLUS as accountant, MTN as marketer under Mobile Money department, and G Zone Kigali as accountant, where she acquired valuable experiences. Liliane is passionate about supporting elders to access better healthcare which made her join SLC.
Eugene Methode Ruzindana
STRATEGIC ADVISOR AND LIAISON WITH GOVERNMENT
Eugene Methode holds a Master’s degree in International Law and Settlement of Disputes and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Eugene Methode is a life-long learner as evidenced by his involvement in significant professional-development and continuing-education opportunities, including, International Refugee Law, International Humanitarian Law, and Senior Mission Leaders. Eugene Methode’s resume is impressive, he is a former Junior Lecturer of Political Science at University; he held a Diplomatic Position at the Rwanda Embassy in Washington DC; and he has served as a director on the Board of various institutions.
Clementine Niyomwungeli
HEALTH & WELLNESS DIRECTOR
Born and raised in Rwanda, Clementine holds a Bachelor degree in General Nursing from Mount Kenya University alongside a Diploma in Mental Health Nursing from the University of Rwanda. Since 2009, Clementine works for Rwanda Ministry of Health in Psychiatric Referral Hospital as a Registered Nurse and participation in costing of mental services in the same institution. Clementine attended various training and professional development such as International Scientific Conference on Non Communicable Diseases organized by Rwanda Bio-medico Centre (RBC), Training of providers on prevention, comprehensive care and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS, an extensive HIV/AIDS training course provided by Health € Foundation in collaboration with the National University of Rwanda. She also attended the Assessment and Counselling Skills by VIVO Internal through RDRC in partnership with the World Bank.
Clementine is passionate about psycho-social activities, especially for vulnerable seniors.
Jeannine Uwimbabazi
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Uwimbabazi Jeannine was born in Tanzania, Jeannine was raised by her parents and an opportunity to live with her grand-parents who showed her love and care in a great way. Jeannine has a degree in finance and accounting, she did many other courses including administration and computing. She works in a government school as a secretary and accountant. Jeannine has a grandmother who is over 90 years and taking care of her has given her great joy great experience to care for the Seniors, she knows how they feel. Jeannine is a volunteer for Seniors Life Centre — and what a joy it is to work with seniors!