Category: People

{{Residents of Kimicanga suburb are angry at their eviction with only two days remaining to have the area secured. Locals are literally collecting their belongings including; bricks and roofing materials from structures they have always known as home.}}

The residents who have resided in the affected houses are outraged at the manner in which local officials as well as landlords have begun demolishing the houses while residents are still inside.

The area comprised of restaurants, shops homes and all sorts of livelihood facets. The emotional attachment to the place seems strong at the moment but the decision has already been made.

Some residents who have been renting in the suburb have been left stranded as their landlords have literally begun taking down the houses.

Peter Shimimana a resident of Kimicanga has been renting in the area says he is troubled to find a place to go in just two days.

“I have nowhere to go, this house only cost me 40,000rwf.other places are too expensive. I don’t know where to find money in just two days.”

By last night demolition was ongoing in the area while residents were still occupying the houses. The House proprietors have begun removing bricks, windows, and all valuable items.

Several residents claim they are now homeless while others will return to their villages.

Agnes karuranga a widow,owned houses at Kimicanga with her five children, and grandchildren all in the same house. She has lived at Kinamba for over 35 years; her family depended on money from the houses that she had rented out for several years.

Karuranga told IGIHE.com that the money the government has given her as compensation for her houses is what she will use to build a new house. But She says the biggest problem is that her family has been deprived of a source of regular income.

Beatrice Isenga owner of a small resturant already demolished said this is the third time she is moving due to land expropriation and that everytime she moves it gets harder and harder for her to make her business work.she has no husband but only a schooling daughter.

“I have no idea whether my business will thrive again. I have to start afresh. Places like Kimicanga have been helpful to small businesses like mine because the clients are also low income earners”.

Local Officials and landlords have said that the people were given sufficient time and notice as stated by the law; last month was the official eviction announcement and all the people have been fairly compensated.

Those who have any official complaint should contact authorities at the national land center.

{{Today a bizarre but true story happened in the morning hours at Remera trading center when a lady only identified as Mahoro Louise was stripped off her Jeans trousers and left half nude in knickers. This prompted onlookers to hurl insults at the naked lady that had been thought to be insane. }}

A motorcycle taxi operator a.k.a Plazo who witnessed the drama narrated to IGIHE.com. Plazo had parked at the stage when two girls emerged while struggling with each other.

Suddenly one of the girls started undressing her jeans and was left with only light blue knickers as the other girl simply watched and then confidently walked away with Mahoro’s trousers without looking behind.

This attracted a huge crowd that stopped and stared at the naked girl as though she was crazy. Onlookers waited to see what would happen next.

“I was so shocked that I didn’t even realize that she was calling me, I rushed over, after talking to her I realised she was sane and immediately offered her my vest to help her cover her naked body. People hurled obscenities at Mahoro.

Mahoro claimed that her friend falsely accused her of kissing her boyfriend in their house. The friend later chaced her out of the house upto the streets and she forced her forced her to strip the Jeans that she had borrowed from her.

This left Mahoro nude in public. Mahoro later jumped onto a motorcycle taxi in her underwear and sped off.

Mahoro says she was innocently mistreated in public by her friend she had always thought was a good person only to humiliate her. Mahoro lives at Gikondo and her friend Juliet is resident at Remera just behind Alpha Palace.

Juliet had invited Mahoro to spend the night at her place as she does often.

{{Several members of Rwandan Diaspora who have returned home are inspired by the country’s progress and say Rwanda is at its best. They want to stay and help rebuild their country with skills acquired abroad.}}

Others disagree and have remained static on their decision to reside in foreign countries instead.

Adopted at the age of six by a Belgian who was residing in Rwanda before the genocide, 26 year old Rwandan born Anita Durand told IGIHE.com she prefers to live abroad than in Rwanda.

Durand is a Public Relations professional, this year she visited to experience Rwanda.

Durand has spent three months in Rwanda working in collaboration with a fashion designer in Belgium who is hoping to promote her work in different parts of Africa, “the Fashion business could be a great boost in Rwanda’s economy but it hasn’t yet been exploited. This makes it harder for me to do my job to my full potential.”

Her challenges while in Rwanda include the high cost of transport and other living expenses, “I find it hard for me to live in Rwanda on the budget I am given”. She explains that living in Belgium pays more in her profession. Transportation costs take up a bare minimum compared to Rwanda’s 60% of her salary goes to transportation.

Durand has been living with a friend in Rwanda after realising that if she had stayed alone it would be very expensive- three times higher.

”I hope you understand why it’s hard for me choosing to stay in Rwanda”. Durand leaves Rwanda next week “I believe that I will be back, this is my home, just only when I have a full package that could support me.”

Joanna Bridges, 31 is married and a mother of one. She came to Rwanda from the United States after her daughter turned one, “I wouldn’t understand anyone who would want to leave Rwanda after they came, I haven’t been here longer but I am certain I want to stay.”

Bridges and her husband have invested in real estate business have decided that they will buy land in the district of Muhazi near the presidential residence, near the lake, where they will spend their vacations when visiting Rwanda until the time they retire.

“Right now we are transitioning from our present professions, but when that is done life here will be so much simpler”.

Bridges say’s the reason they are so eager to return is because during their short visit, they have witnessed the incredible opportunities Rwanda is offering, “The time is now, I believe that my family could make ourselves wealthy and live a life that would have taken us years to achieve in the US.”

Apart from the job opportunities, the financial benefits or downfalls, and the country’s economic growth that is inspiring millions to invest in Rwanda, there are also issues about the social and cultural changes that have occurred in Rwanda and the Diaspora have had their say about this too.

Brian Gatete, is a youth of the Diaspora recently visiting from England to see his family as well as conduct a survey for his future projects.

After five years of life in Europe, he feels that Rwanda still lacks in the development of the social life line. “We are focused on the economic growth and yet many of the enterprises that would increase income are being taken as small business projects”.

Gatete wants to return to Rwanda to open up the first major fast food chain similar to McDonalds, he say that those which have already opened are really small, far for some and never really open 24 hours like they claim. Food is on high demand in Rwandan.

I have meet so many people who tell me the one reason they can’t live in Rwanda long is the lack of variety of food choices and some really have adapted to being able to find food at any time of the hour no matter where you are.

Gatete showed us a graph and economic analysis on People of all ages around the world who are eating different foods as well as at alarming hours, “there is a greater demand for vegetarian meals across the globe, the demands of certain food stuffs have actually increased economic welfare in some of the developing countries that grow these ingredients”.

Gatete believes that by opening various branches of a food store that will not only be famous with Rwanda tastes, but also Foreigners’ who are definitely the biggest consumers.

Linda Kayitesi 23a Rwandan is a student in the US, her parents live in Rwanda. She relocated to US at the age of ten. Kayitesi is like all the other youths that reside in Rwanda, with the need to express themselves through fashion and music.

Kayitesi while in Rwanda had decided to take a tour around town when she was briefly assaulted by the public; Kayitesi described to us what she was wearing that day.

She had her Afro hair spread out, Sunglasses on, earphones plugged into her ears and visible tattoo’s on her arms. She wore a Vest and shorts. Suddenly she was surrounded by groups of young men murmuring words she didn’t understand but knew it was about her.

She quickly rushed into a restaurant where she called her mom to come pick her up but only a second too late, street kids touched her legs sending the nearby crowd into laughter.

“I am a Rwandan and I know our culture, but there is a limit to how Rwandan’s are turning a blind eye to the truths of changes in the society without even dealing with them”. Kayitesi says she can’t stand being stared at thus she will stay abroad.

{{Florence Uwayisaba the vice mayor in charge of social affairs in Kicukiro district has advised women who sleep with male prostitutes to do away with the habit since the act is a disgrace to the image of women.}}

“Women are known to be against several immoral activities yet some of them want to shame us by paying highly male prostitutes for sex instead of concentrating on how to strengthen their relationships,” she recommended.

Uwayisaba further insisted that cases of spouses cheating on each other is among the major causes of divorce in the district.

In this regard, she advised women who have issues in their relationships to solve them amicably with their husbands rather than engaging in uncouth behaviors which humiliates them.

Male prostitutes popularly known as Abapfubuzi in Kinyarwanda language, tend to charge highly their female clients compared to what call-girls price, more so they don’t conduct their business in brothels but rather in their own houses.

The privacy is alleged to hide the side affairs of most clients who are often high profile women or either married to men who are public figures.

On the other hand men were also cautioned on promiscuity since it affected the planning of their households at the same time diverted their attention from strengthening their relationships.

{{Majority of youths in foreign countries presume that modern Rwandan history is all summed up in the movie “Hotel Rwanda” which is popularly shown to students as a basic Rwandan history lesson that addresses the 1994 Tutsi Genocide.}}

Fourteen students from US Harwood Union High School with their English teacher Steve Rand and 4 students from Woonsocket, believe that this movie doesn’t do any Justice to the country’s history and have set out to learn about it first hand when they visit Rwanda for their first time next Sunday with world renowned journalist of the Addison independent Andrea Suozzo for three weeks.

The group’s trip will be memorialized as “Stories of hope” where the students will be visiting the genocide memorials and different museums across Rwanda where they will learn and record the true complexities of the political and social background that caused the genocide to occur.

These 18 students and their teacher for the past two years have included a multimedia effort which will help the students process the new experiences they will encounter during their journey.

Instructors in ethnography and multimedia will help students use recording equipment. The true lesson the instructors wish to teach is how to take the time to listen, experience and also share meaningful
stories during their expedition.

Suozzo told IGIHE.com by email that he was looking forward to immersing himself in a completely unfamiliar country, with rich history that has bought an amazing new reality to today’s world.

Suozzo will be leaving his comfort zone of his desk at the Addison independent, for his first taste of the equatorial heat of the sub Saharan Africa.

He says he believes it will all be worth it, for his trip won’t be about a group of foreigners travelling a thousand miles just to get a few pictures of gorilla’s nor to experience exotic music and dancing but instead its a journey of justice for these students that wish to do justice to the stories they will bring back with them.

The instructors want the students to personally see for themselves what has made Rwanda one of the country’s globally recognized places to design and build information technology.

Suozzo wrote “I’m ready to go and soak up every bit of knowledge (and sunshine) I possibly can, and to help 18 high school students bring back their own stories of what they have learned there.”

{{IGIHE.com Print version has continued to surprise and excite many readers in Rwanda.}}

Emmanuel Murekezi, a consultant and training provider on hostelry and restaurants was found reading IGIHE Newspaper at Country Inn Hotel.

Speaking to IGIHE.com, Murekezi said that it is advantageous for people especially those who couldn’t easily access internet.

He said, “People are used to telling others that IGIHE.com has written this and that….. without reading it themselves but now it becomes simpler for everyone to access information through the website or the newspaper.”

Murekezi added that working people have access on internet at work where they have no much time to read.
“You can read a newspaper everywhere you are contrary to a website which requires enough time as well as money.”

He appreciates the print and online versions saying IGIHE.com is the best website in Rwanda which provides credible local stories with all the details.

He said, “When I was in USA, I used to read stories published by IGIHE.com website and I felt like I was in Rwanda where actions were taking place; for instance a story on a stolen cow, it seems as if it is a neighbour in my village updating me about the village news.

He concluded asking people to sustain the Newspaper until when it will be daily and requested IGIHE Ltd to maintain the interests of the whole population.

{{An unidentified young woman in her early 20’s suddenly got into labour pain and gave birth to a baby boy in the middle of an overcrowded market at Kacyiru in the evening of last Friday.}}

the young woman had been pregnant was leaving the market after buying groceries when suddenly she yelled for help after developing instant labour pain. It was too late to take her to the hospital but delivered her baby amidist an onlooking crowd and helped by good Samaritans and later an ambulance arrived and took her to Kacyiru hospital.

An eye witness Mukarungwa Mariah a fruits and vegetable vendor at the market narrated to IGIHE.com what transpired.

Mukarungwa says she was attending to a customer at her stall in the market when she suddenly heard the young woman screming for help, “I thought the woman had been robbed but only to find her standing by herself in the middle of the road looking terrified. I reached to incquire what had happened. However, she continued calling for help.”

The young woman in labour had dropped all her groceries in the middle of the road. While continuously screaming “help me, help me, my child is coming, help me someone please I can’t move, help me” In a literally a few seconds the terrified girl was surrounded by a circle of curious onlookers.

Another witness at the scene Kayigema Gertuda also a market vendor approached the girl, saw she was already in labour pain, she proceeded to call some gentleman to come help carry the young woman.

Sebishwi Bernard and Mahoro Placid were a few of the good Samaritans whom helped the young mother. They both helped carry the girl to a secure and dust free stall at the market where they placed her on African fabric wrappers (kitenge) that women contributed to cushion on the floor.

Sebishwi a witness at the scene said that he has seen the young woman often but does not know her name.He also noted that she is young, “everything happened so fast, I had wanted to call the police but the women said it was already too late and we must carry her to somewhere clean and out of the public view.”

Mahoro is a housemaid, he was buying groceries when the incident happened, he said he agreed to help because he sympathised with the young woman,“what if that were to have happened to my mother, I would hope someone would help her as I have done.”

Mahoro was tasked to run to the hospital and get help, while the women stood surrounding the young mother in labour with wrappers held high in form of a cubicle providing ample privacy.

An elderly woman identified as Kayigema Gertude also a local vendor said she is a mother of five. She was in charge of soothing the young mother telling her and other helpers what to do.

Kayigema said, “in my home district of Gisozi there are often such incidents where expectant women are caught in similar situations. I have been there for at least three that is how I knew her labour was in advanced stage to be taken without an ambulance.”

Incidentally a doctor stationed at Kacyiru hospital located near the police station arrived at the scene. He immediately cut the umbilical cord and made sure the young mother and baby were in good health before placing them in an ambulance to the hospital.

{Inspire Africa promotes entrepreneurship among the youth through a reality television show code named Project Inspire Africa.
The Idea was conceived by a one Nelson Tugume, overall achiever of the 2011 Young Achievers Awards, focuses on encouraging entrepreneurship among the youths throughout Africa.
“Project Inspire Africa features twenty-four of East Africa’s best business minds competing for a grand prize of $50,000 worth of business capital,” Tugume explains.}

{{If you weren’t Nelson Tugume, who would you rather be?—and why?}}

I would be Tugume Nelson because he will never any one else.
There is no one else I would rather be. My life is a gift from God and what I have made of my life thus far, is my gift back to God and all of humanity.
Tell us a little about a book that changed your life.

{{The Bible}}

The Bible is probably the most misrepresented and most misunderstood book in the world. For me personally, it has provided a road map, a compass that has helped me navigate the many storms of my life and to stay focused.

Speaking of changes, I bet there are boatloads of people (including those that used to ignore you as a matter of principle and cut you dead on the street just for the fun of it) who now want to associate with you. They probably call you incessantly, begging you to hang out with them.

Do you say, ‘For the last time, you have the wrong number; please stop calling me’, or do you quickly mumble something unintelligible in a foreign language, hang up and start laughing?

I learned much from my mother and other elders who have guided my life. I am a humble and simple man, who would never consider not picking up the phone. I am always open and alert for the next “deal” and I never know where that opportunity may come from. Having said that, I am also learning to have a discerning spirit and not waste time with people who are not serious about their own development..

Hang on; I have just received an elaborate text that says you are going to be a woman in your next life, and that you will wear your hair in curls and espouse feminism. What are your thoughts on womanhood, curly hair, and feminism?

Wow!! That person really has a wild imagination. I am sure my wife could never imagine me in that way. I have no problem however, espousing my feminine side. Each of us have both a masculine and feminine side. My success recently has actually put me in touch with that more sensitive, softer side of myself. My wife is an awesome and beautiful woman and she has enough beauty, class and style for both of us.

Stephen King, the celebrated novelist, is supposed to have said that the road to hell is paved with adverbs. Others say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. But Stephen king and the others must be talking about the usual hell—with a lake of fire and demons. Let’s talk financial hell, now. In your opinion, the road to financial hell is paved with:
The road to hell is paved with poor planning, inflated egos, lack of direction and focus and spiritual ignorance.

{{The concept of soulmates is overrated, is it not? Surely, there can’t be a person that exists for the express purpose of completing you. That’s rather selfish, isn’t it?}}

I prefer to use the word “complementing” one another. My wife is truly my soul mate. She loves and accepts me unconditionally as do I for her. WE do not need anyone to complete us, yet we both are aware of how blessed we are to have one another to share this awesome journey with.

{{Do you apologise even when it isn’t your turn?}}

All of us, I think struggle with ego. Yet, I try and not get caught up in the petty things and instead focus on what is truly important in my life. It takes a truly humble person to be able to say, I am sorry, it was not my intention to hurt you.

Your friends and siblings must think they know everything there is to know about you, but, alas, I am here to prove them wrong. Sadly, they have absolutely no idea that you:

That I am not perfect. Still in the process of becoming and like everyone else I have my share of fear and uncertainties. I simply choose to not allow those moments to control my destiny.. We live in creative and changing world, and I am forever changing.

{{Your biggest worry about twenty first century Africa is that:}}

That if Africa does not realize that we are one people, one race we will again be slaves in our own land. Africa is Rising and nothing can stop the ascent. It is my prayer that we as Africans will participate fully in this Rise and be benefactors of the growth and development and natural resources. The gravest mistake budding entrepreneurs make is to assume that:

{{You have reached the Top}}

People shy away from starting their own businesses because of the risk and uncertainty involved at the beginning. Please prescribe an antidote.

There is no antidote that will diminish the anxiety involved in taking a leap of faith and choosing to purse your dream. It is a simple choice. I can only say, what are the alternatives? A life of certainty that is boring, unfulfilled, lacks passion and promise. Who would choose that option, knowingly?

Not many people can afford BBAs and MBAs and DBAs, unfortunately, and through no fault of theirs. What are their options?

{{Google, Books should be your friend}}

I have often heard people say that Ugandans do not save enough. However, I have also heard people ask questions like, ‘Why save your money when you can invest it?’ help us get some closure, here. Which is which?

Africans, those that save most likely will see procure liabilities as opposed to assets. Investment is high level procure that starts from 1,000,000 USD.
Business jargon is mostly double-dutch to us mere mortals; when people say, “they are step-changing the transition towards a seamless boundary between shared commitments and best practice”, the majority of us fall into a fitful sleep or develop a migraine. Could you capture the complexity of ‘business ethics’ in a few words?

Those values upon which business success depends on,…………… honesty…………….hard work…………courage ……………. fair play………………. loyalty and patriotism – these things are old and true.

In other parts of the world, a foreign investor commits capital to gain financial returns. In Uganda, a foreign investor usually commits diddlysquat and disappears with millions of taxpayers’ money. What are we doing wrong?
Corruption is a cancer, that is destroying the very fiber of our government and society.

When tomorrow comes, it’ll be today, and you’ll be working on another exciting project codenamed:
Stay Tuned

{{When all is said and done, you’d like the people alive in 2050 to discuss your projects and endeavours in terms of:}}

How different their lives are because of my work and success, and to keep visioning and imagining how they can make things even better. There will always be room for improvement. The next generation, will critique, honour change, adapt and re imagine a different world, even from the one I am working to create. That is called progress.

{{New Vision}}

{{So you were named young achiever of the year recently, what do you think made you stand out from all the other hardworking Ugandan youths out there?}}

Am a unique businessman, especially for the reason that he combines business acumen with an amazing and special class of intellectualism.

{{At 28 Years you seem to be running too many businesses including a car dealership, a real estate firm and an investment company to mention but a few, what keeps you steadily on top of all this minus crumbling?}}

I’m a determined guy and driven by profit. I’ve been actively involved in business since I was 9yrs so it’s obvious the dynamics are firmly embedded in my system and day to day routine, so crumbling is a thing unheard of to me.

Mean while briefly tell us about that secret formula that got you this far at such a young age even if its juju because we all need to get there now?

Hah hah hah!!! I don’t believe in juju! I think anyone who does that is wasting their time. Anyway, my secret is hard work, dedication, and above all prayer and Faith. After all, God is the one that has blessed me and seen me through so many trials and tribulations. Faith is a kingdom principal exercised in all spheres of life. Be it a believer or not. If you don’t have faith , you wont risk and managing your risk is important.

{{From the look of things you are a very busy man, how much time do you put in and do you have any free time and what exactly do you with it?}}

I put in a lot of time…I can’t say I work for specific hours a day. Sometimes I go till 4am! I’d say my free time is during the festive season and more occasionally on Sundays, where I go to church with my wife and spend some time with family and friends. Besides that, I like to read inspirational books. I’m thinking of golfing and getting involved in rally driving.

{{Talking about free time all healthy men have a thing for the fairer sex, so who is your ideal kind of woman and why?}}

My ideal kind of woman is only my wife. Simply because she’s the closest perfect can get to. Faithfulness is not exercised in Business but also in marriage as well.

{{So you got married at a very young age, what is the secret in this and how has it impacted you?}}

The secret is love, understanding and communication. My wife and I work together, so we strengthen our relationship everytime we interact. I think as a result of being married.

{{You seem to be a man of the gadgets so between your macbook pro, ipad and black berry, which one do you treasure most?}}

It must be my Apple products. I think Steve Jobs and his team were visionaries. They inspire me and make believe that one day Africa will change. They show me that everything is possible.

{{As a really successful entrepreneur, there are people who have inspired you and those you really look up to both locally and globally, who could those be and why?}}

My mother inspired me. She taught me how to be the kind of man I am today, in more ways than one. Name sake Nelson Mandela and Paul Kagame are exceptional leaders, And I think every one should look up to them. They are real Pan Africanists

{{Besides the people is there any book you read that really got you fired up and what book are you reading currently?}}

{{Good to Great}}

There is this big project you started called Inspire Africa we had written off aimed at rewarding the smartest business brain in the region with a cool 50,000 US dollars start up capital, briefly tell us how far you have gone with it?

We’re in postproduction right now, the series should soon be on your television sets by the close of the year.

{{And where did the auditions and selections take place, we need to be aware so that next time we don’t miss the 50,000 US dollar bounty?}}

In March next year, keep your eyes on TV, newspapers and social media

{{You are a prosperous young businessman, how come you don’t drive flashy top of the range Mercedes Benzes and Range rovers with customized plates and go splashing around money?}}

I don’t believe in showing off(Swagg). To me life is basic; I function like every other human being. As long as I’m comfortable, it isn’t necessary for me to show off. I have you tried to put on 2 shirts because u have a lot money or drive 2 cars at the same time. We still have so much t do rather than Swagg.

{{So what word do you have for that young struggling entrepreneur who hasn’t yet been as lucky as you and gotten that break?}}

Don’t give up your dream, keep innovating, seek the Lord’s counsel and work towards your dream. Nothing is impossible. However Luck has no definition and luck is when it meets a prepared mind,. However you will never see the color of luck

{{Is there one thing you missed so much as a poor child that you rushed and bought for your self when you hit the big money?}}

I was never a poor child, I leaved a humble a life. Mum and I worked had to have an average life.

{{So when you get time off your busy schedule where is that dream destination you want to go have a holiday of a life time?}}

Miami beach

{{And finally whats the most embarassing thing you have done all your life and wanted to retrieve it but couldn’t?}}

I have always embarrassed my self when I make losses or when the deal is not in my favor.

{{Failure and or prolonged delay in issuing upkeep funds is forcing several government sponsored students quiting school after failing to cope with resultant challenges including failure to secure food, shelter and other requirements.}}

IGIHE.com carried out a random and quick survey at various schools tracing complaints from students about what they describe as horrible conditions that force some of them dropping out school.

Students also told IGIHE.com that among their challenges include delayed upkeep funds.

At the school of Finance and banking few of the students were willing to talk about their living conditions, some asked to remain anonymous citing stringent repercussions.

A beneficiary of Student Financing Agency for Rwanda (SFAR) at the school of Finance and banking Karangwa (not his real name) in his third year said that he was financially supported for only two years. He noted that while in his second year things had already started to deteriorate.

SFAR had allegedly encountered problems and students were made to wait for the money. This made living conditions complicated for there was no money to help them survive.

“Now am in my third year and it is worse than ever, the delays are longer and some of my friends have been told that they haven’t been listed yet we were all listed last year”.

“what has happened to our money, and what will happen to us if they refuse to acknowledge our names, this is not right and something should be done about it”

Peter Gishumba a student at Kigali Institute of Education told IGIHE.com that government gives students’ money to Ecobank. However, once the money is in the hands of the bank, students don’t see the money for weeks.

He adds, “The claims made by the bank and SFAR are that they are encountering delays in receiving the money yet the money is supposed to be in the bank, so where is it and doesn’t the government think there is something wrong with this system?”

IGIHE.com also travelled to Gitarama and noticed students roaming the streets as if they have nothing to do. At lunch hours restaurants are shunned and only a about three or five students can be seen sharing a meal.

Felix Rwigema, a 2nd year student noted that living conditions have worsened since last year, “last year we were told to wait for SFAR that had been dealing with some problems, we are still waiting and while we do that we starve in the process.”

Another student shared his frustration saying, “many times we are sharing rooms with our classmates whom have homes here, because we don’t have money to rent on our own”,

Sylvia Umutesi a journalism student said “having to choose between lunch and dinner is how we survive. Is this why we must suffer in the name of receiving education from a government that has offered to help us, where is the help we need now?”

Incquired about students that have quit school because of these problems, she narrated of a case of a student Patrick Ndasabimana who quit school last year while in his second year and turned to Motorcucle taxi.

Ndasabimana told his friends that he would not survive another year in those conditions and would rather find a job that will at least give him shelter and food. Patrick can be found sitting on his bike near the taxi park, waiting for clients, and in the evenings sitting in pubs with his former classmates.

Thus students are requesting government to find a better way of handling their scholarship funds. By press time SFAR officials were not available for comment.

{{Despite his physical disability condition, Jean De la Croix Nikwigize 14 says nothing will stop him from achieving his dream of graduating as a Journalist.}}

Teachers at Gatagara school for disabled are impressed with the academic performance of Nikwigize. He uses his toes to write and doing most of his daily chores.

Nikwigize is in his 6th grade of primary education. He wants to study and acquire a degree in journalism.

“Nothing will stop me, writing is my passion and that’s why I want to be a reporter,” he said.

His teachers are optimistic that he will pursue his dream since he has been performing well both in science and grammar subjects, yet in physical exercises lessons Nikwigize still amazes his tutors.

Nikwigize plays soccer during his leisure time. He prefers the field position of midfield. Many of his fans admit that Nikwigize is good at football.

“He knows how to juggle the ball, and often takes advantage of the second half to pull his stunts since most players are tired,” said his friend Shaban.

Nikwigize claims that his talent of using his legs is a blessing to his life since no one taught him. “my mother told me that while I was growing up I developed an interest of using my toes and one day I shocked my mum when I fed myself by lifting a spoonful of food using my toes.”

However, he discourages people that undermine other people living with disability since the stigma instills an attitude of inferiority complex to some disabled people hence discouraging them from exploiting their talents.

“I urge those with physical challenges like me, to stand up tall and make use of their abilities.”

{{The article was first published in KIGALITODAY}}