Dragons star Justin Poore says his life had been changed by undertaking missionary work in Rwanda last year.The hulking prop is set to launch his own charity initiatives to raise money to improve the lives of families in the strife-torn nation.Poore will host an auction of sporting memorabilia later this year to help fund the work of Hope Rwanda, constructing homes and schools and providing other basic facilities.He said he will be making another trek to the central African country at the end of the NRL season after what he described as an invaluable experience last year."It was hands-down one of the best things I've ever done," he said. "I will definitely be going back again this year."I'd like to help out however I can, and the charity is a great way to raise money."Raising $15,000 would help house five families."The Australian Government continues to declare major warnings for travellers because of the civil unrest in the region.It even goes as far as to label Rwanda's western border with the Democratic Republic of The Congo as a no-go zone and warns the southern border with Uganda is extremely dangerous.Last year Poore was part of a group of NRL players, which also included sacked Raiders star Todd Carney and Parramatta's Nathan Hindmarsh, who helped to build 60 cement-rendered homes and a community hall.Poore also learned about the Rwandan genocide of the 1990s, when hundreds of thousands of people were killed.The experience put Poore's pain and frustration at dislocating his knee cap weeks before last year's NRL finals into perspective.After an outstanding season, the workhorse front-rower was a dejected figure after suffering the injury in the round 21 clash against the Sharks.Now recovered, Poore is expected to lead the Dragons charge in the opening trial game against the Roosters in Perth on February 21.Poore declared he could not wait to be back on the field."Bloody oath - I got that sick of the injury," he said. "We were in a good position for the semis, so for me it was shattering. I've never had an injury where I've missed a lot of footy."