The Story of Global Capacity

Executive Director Matthew Heinz first went to Rwanda in June 2007 on a two-week trip with his church.  He visited and played at a home for streetboys and immediately felt a strong connection and burden for the disadvantaged in the country. 

In January 2008, Matthew was asked to start a nonprofit organization for the company he worked for, EnergyCAP, Inc.  The computer software publisher believed firmly in global stewardship and wanted to get involved in work in a developing nation.  In March of the same year, Matthew formed the organization now called Global Capacity and decided that its work would start in Rwanda.  In June, he took a leave of absence for five months from his job to live in Rwanda and establish the organization.   On this trip, Matthew saw how crucial a role education plays in a country that is extremely poor. Education stops the cycle of poverty in people's lives and enables them to have a better future.  Among many lessons learned, he witnessed how education is essential to improving lives, especially for those living in extreme poverty. Two of our board members (Theresa Heinz and Jonathan Hetler) were with Matthew during his stay in 2008 and helped lay important ground work.  Theresa Heinz, who is Matthew's wife, even outlasted his tenure, living there for seven months.  

More than half of our board members have had the opportunity to visit our work in Rwanda since 2008, enabling them to understand and meet the students we are supporting.  The trip was concluded at the end of November, and Matthew returned with the vision of providing financial assistance to children who do not have the means to attend school.