Co-founder and Executive Director | Heza Community Development Initiative (HCDI)
Jean Baptiste Marayika is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Heza Community Development Initiative (HCDI), a Rwandan non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing sustainable community development through integrated, evidence-based solutions. He is a passionate community development leader whose work is driven by a lifelong commitment to improving health and nutrition, conserving biodiversity, strengthening climate resilience, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and empowering vulnerable communities.
Jean Baptiste holds a Bachelor's degree with Honors in Soil Sciences and has received specialized international training in Israel, where he completed an intensive practical program in sustainable agriculture, focusing on modern crop production, plant propagation, efficient irrigation systems, post-harvest management, and climate-smart agricultural practices. This experience strengthened his commitment to applying innovative and sustainable approaches to community development in Rwanda.
Combining scientific expertise with hands-on field experience, Jean Baptiste designs and leads integrated development initiatives that address the interconnected challenges of malnutrition, environmental degradation, poverty, and climate change. His approach emphasizes community ownership, evidence-based decision-making, innovation, and strategic partnerships to deliver lasting impact.
Under his leadership, HCDI has embraced a vision of empowering communities through improved health and nutrition, biodiversity conservation, environmental stewardship, inclusive economic development, and knowledge-driven advocacy. He believes that sustainable development is achieved when communities are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to shape their own future.
Jean Baptiste is committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow healthy, every family has the means to thrive, and every community has the capacity to build a resilient and sustainable future. His leadership is guided by integrity, accountability, inclusiveness, and a deep belief that lasting development begins with empowered communities.
