About Us
If everyone can’t eat, then no one should.
Arnold Smith
The Penny That Built a Legacy
Arnold Smith never knew his father. Raised in foster homes, he found his only anchor in a grandmother who cleaned toilets to survive. On his 12th birthday, she mailed him a single penny. It wasn’t much—but to Arnold, it said, “You matter.”
That penny stayed with him for life. It reminded him that even the smallest act of love can light up a life.
After earning a degree in electrical engineering from MIT, Arnold worked and lived with quiet generosity. Now retired, He has since passed away, but the compasion that shaped his life continues through the people and causes he believed in.
We met here in the United States. I was an ambitious young immigrant trying to change my story. Arnold didn’t just see my struggle—he saw my potential. One day, without asking for anything in return, he paid off my graduate tuition. His only request? “Carry this kindness forward.”
Arnold Smith foundation exists to honor that promise. What began with one act of kindness to me, now continues for children & young people whose struggle I have shared, And understand how education can change the whole story.
Mission
To walk beside vulnerable children and give them what every child deserves—education, technical skills development, emotional support, and belonging. We lead with compassion. We build with love.
Vision
We envision a world where children—no matter their beginnings—grow up with hope, dignity, and the power of education. A world where love isn’t a luxury, but a right. We begin in Rwanda, but our dream has no borders.
Core Values
The Foundation of Everything We Do
Education First
Education isn’t a privilege—it’s a right. It opens futures, restores dignity, and breaks generational cycles.
Compassion & Care
Love isn’t just something we feel—it’s something we do. Our support goes beyond money. We offer presence, encouragement, and hope.
Being Seen
Every child deserves to be recognized—not just for their needs, but for their dreams, their laughter, and their light.
Capacity Building
We believe in small steps taken with consistency. A pencil, a hug, a word of belief—it all adds up to transformation.
Integrity & Simplicity
We do this work with clear hearts and clean hands. No red tape. No ego. Just love in action.
Community
True change emerges from local wisdom. In Rwanda and beyond, we partner with parents, teachers, and elders to design solutions that respect culture and ignite sustainable progress.
Message from the founder
I grew up in a remote district in Uganda, where many young people face significant barriers to education and opportunity. Like many children in underserved communities, the path forward was not always clear, and continuing my education often depended on the support and generosity of others.
Throughout my journey, there were individuals who believed in me and offered kindness at critical moments in my life. Their support helped me continue my education and ultimately opened doors I never imagined possible.
Today, I am a graduate student studying Global Policy at Boston University. When I reflect on how I arrived here, I know that my story is not only about determination—it is also about the people who chose to help along the way.
One of those people was Arnold Smith.
I had the privilege of meeting Arnold Smith while working as his caregiver. During that time, I experienced firsthand his generosity, compassion, and genuine concern for the well-being of others. His kindness toward me was more than an act of generosity; it was a reminder that small acts of support can change the direction of someone’s life.
The Arnold Smith Foundation was created to honor that spirit.
Although he has since passed away, the compassion that defined his life continues through the work of this foundation. Our mission is to extend the same opportunity that shaped my own journey—giving children and young people access to education, practical skills, and mentorship that can help them build independent and hopeful futures.
What began as one act of kindness has grown into a commitment to ensure that more young people are given the chance to learn, grow, and pursue their potential.
Education has the power to transform lives. Through the Arnold Smith Foundation, we hope to pass that opportunity forward.
Joy Mushabe
Founder,
Graduate Student, Boston University
Message from the founder
I grew up in a remote district in Uganda, where many young people face significant barriers to education and opportunity. Like many children in underserved communities, the path forward was not always clear, and continuing my education often depended on the support and generosity of others.
Throughout my journey, there were individuals who believed in me and offered kindness at critical moments in my life. Their support helped me continue my education and ultimately opened doors I never imagined possible.
Today, I am a graduate student studying Global Policy at Boston University. When I reflect on how I arrived here, I know that my story is not only about determination—it is also about the people who chose to help along the way.
One of those people was Arnold Smith.
I had the privilege of meeting Arnold Smith while working as his caregiver. During that time, I experienced firsthand his generosity, compassion, and genuine concern for the well-being of others. His kindness toward me was more than an act of generosity; it was a reminder that small acts of support can change the direction of someone’s life.
The Arnold Smith Foundation was created to honor that spirit.
Although he has since passed away, the compassion that defined his life continues through the work of this foundation. Our mission is to extend the same opportunity that shaped my own journey—giving children and young people access to education, practical skills, and mentorship that can help them build independent and hopeful futures.
What began as one act of kindness has grown into a commitment to ensure that more young people are given the chance to learn, grow, and pursue their potential.
Education has the power to transform lives. Through the Arnold Smith Foundation, we hope to pass that opportunity forward.
Joy Mushabe
Founder,
Graduate Student, Boston University
Our Key Priorities
Education Access
Full scholarships, school supplies, and tutoring to break poverty cycles
Technical Skills
Skills based training and mentorship so children heal while they learn
Community Roots
Partnering with local leaders to create sustainable, culturally-grounded change
Mentorship
Documenting stories to inspire future generations and multiply impact
Our Volunteers
At the Arnold Smith Foundation, our volunteers are the quiet champions who bring our vision to life—one act of kindness, one hour of mentorship, and one child’s transformed future at a time.
