Tumaini means hope in Swahili.

Tumaini Academy aims to empower children aged six to 17 by getting them on bikes and in school. Situated in one of the world’s most war-torn cities–Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo—Tumaini teaches kids how to ride and race, and it provides them with the guidance and encouragement they need to excel amid the challenges of the DRC’s ongoing civil war.

Tumaini was founded in the summer of 2025 by Joel Kyaviro, a Goma-born professional cyclist born in 2002. The 2023 DRC road racing champion, Kyaviro races in Goma and beyond and in June 2026 became the first person from DR Congo to win a UCI 2.2 race stage.

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Tumaini Academy

Getting Kids On Bikes and In School in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Team Members