Our History

AMON MUNYANEZA (Right) - Founder, Africa Mission Alliance

Africa Mission Alliance was founded by Amon Munyaneza in 2002 and was then called Living Faith Ministries. Amon grew up as a refugee child in Uganda after his parents fled Rwanda in the 1950’s during the civil war.  Growing up under the dictatorship of Idi Amin, he understood first hand what it felt like to go to bed hungry and not be able to go to school.  Because of these experiences, Amon understood at a young age how important an education would be for his future.  He began selling small things in the local market in order to save up enough money to go to school, and over time, his hard work paid off.  Amon ended up attending a very prestigious high school in Kampala, Uganda, where he would go to school by day, and work at night to pay his school fees.  In 1998, after years of this grueling schedule, Amon graduated from high school with a scholarship to Makerere University.  However, he felt called to go “home” to Rwanda, where he would be able to serve his countrymen who had been through the devastating genocide of 1994.

Upon arrival into Rwanda, Amon received a scholarship to the National University of Rwanda in Butare.  While he was a student, Amon couldn’t help but notice all of the children who were on the streets and not in school.  They reminded him of himself when he was young.  In 2004, Amon graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and human resource management.  The business skills he learned there and his passion for serving those in need encouraged him to start an organization that would serve his fellow countrymen, as well as others in Africa, by developing programs that would help sustain the poor.

Today Africa Mission Alliance is equipping countless orphans and widows in Rwanda to build a better future for themselves.

Amon served as President and Chief Executive of Africa Mission Alliance from June 2002 to April 2009, with his wife Erica serving as Programs Director.  Amon holds a Bachelor of Business degree from the National University of Rwanda and a Master of Arts from Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon.  He has served on several corporate and non-profit boards for over 10 years.  Amon lives and works in Portland, Oregon with his wife Erica and daughter Acacia.  They continue to be friends and donors of Africa Mission Alliance and support our work here and in Rwanda.

To contact Amon or Erica, please call our offices at 503-296-4853 or e-mail ama@africamissionalliance.org