RGI Blog

INSPIRATION TO INSPIRE THANKFULNESS:

TRUST THE PROCESS

This Thanksgiving weekend we are thankful for all of our friends, partners, supporters, teachers and alumnae.  Many of whom came together on November 2, 2018 at the Four Seasons to celebrate, The Power of Courage.  It was an inspirational evening where guests heard from a variety of Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology (GGAST) alumnae and a current GGASAT student.  One of these amazing young women was Darina, a sophomore at Princeton University, and GGAST 2015 graduate.  We want to take this opportunity to share with you her inspirational words!  We hope you are inspired by her story and join with us in giving thanks for all of those fighting for gender parity around the world!

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My name is Darina Kamikazi, and all my life I have had great luck. I’ve been lucky enough to grow up in a loving family, with my mom and my siblings.  We were not wealthy, but my mom always found a way to make ends meet and, even though I attended an under-resourced middle school with a fairly bad reputation, I was lucky enough to get good grades. The problem with being lucky, however, is that, usually, luck does not fit into the development narrative. I have come to find, through the classes I took and from personal experience, that the question that guides the development projects in any community is “ what do they lack and how can we help?” It does not necessarily come from a place of pride, but it does usually mean that help is given on the basis of weakness.

Girls’ education in Sub-Saharan Africa is a big issue.  The global narrative is that girls do not receive the same access to education as their brothers. Instead of being educated, they stay at home and perform housework, which leads to a series of inequalities and consequences. There are many development projects created to help solve this issue, Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology (GGAST) is one of them.  GGAST was created to empower girls to pursue their goals beyond the limits their societies had set for them, and to reach their highest potential.

However, what is so different about Gashora  is that the school focus is on strengths instead of weaknesses. The question they ask is not, “what do you lack and how can we give it to you”, but “what do you have and how can we help you use it to get what you lack”. That shift in focus is important because I was not the poorest, and I was not in any immediate physical danger, but I was smart, and that’s how I was accepted into Gashora.

It was not easy at first. Our headmaster did not believe that the grades were really mine, because my middle school had a reputation of forging reports. It took a lot of convincing by my mom and a neighbor of mine, for a chance to attend. In fact, in my final year of high school, that same headmaster confessed that it was out of luck that I was accepted to GGAST (quite an unusual graduation present). He  told me that, at that time, he was skeptical but decided to trust my mother and my neighbor.  I worked hard and did well in my 3 years at Gashora; I won public speaking competitions, I was a debate and public speech coach, and I graduated with the 3rd highest grade in my class!   Fast forward to my last months in Gashora, when I was trying to figure out where to apply to college.

My university counselor, Mr. John, was convinced I was a good fit for Princeton University.  I decided to trust him and give it a chance. I did my research and applied.

The problem with focusing on weaknesses is that people’s level of vulnerability is unstable and can vary from time to time, but focusing on strengths, only helps support them. My mother had been sick throughout my last year of  high school, and she passed away on December 18, 2016, exactly 3 days after I was admitted with early admission into Princeton. Her passing made my siblings and I more vulnerable than we had ever been, to the point where we needed all the help we could get. But, because Gashora had invested in my strengths for 3 years prior to that period, even when my situation was bad, I still had hope that it could change for the better.

I am now in my second year of college, and I love it there. I have been taking classes that range from quantum reasoning to social psychology and I loved them all (well…almost). I found a Christian community that I belong to and that I am heavily invested in, and I found out I am really good at dealing with stress and work well even under pressure (which is another way of saying that I procrastinate a lot). I am glad I trusted Mr. John.

Perhaps it was the same thing with the Princeton admission officers. Perhaps they had doubts about my abilities to excel at Princeton. Worst case scenario, let’s even say that, perhaps, they admitted me out of luck. To me, it does not matter, because I am making sure that, by the time I graduate, they’ll be glad they trusted me.

The truth is, trust takes courage. It takes courage to invest in strengths instead of weaknesses, and even more courage to invest in strengths in spite of  the weaknesses. But without the collective efforts and courage of my mother, my neighbor, my former headmaster, Mr. John, the admission officers at Princeton, and every one who supports Rwanda Girls Initiative, I would not be studying at Princeton now.  No one knows what the future holds, but if there is any advice I could give every one in this room, including myself, it is this: choose courage, and trust the process. Thank you

Gender inequalities in homes and communities every day, hinder girls from reaching their full potential.  On International Day of the Girl, we stand with the world community in recognizing the need to accelerate progress and opportunities for girls around the world.

Of the 1 billion young people, including 600 million adolescent girls, who will enter the workforce in the next 10 years, more than 90% of those living in developing countries will work in the informal sector, where low or no pay, abuse and exploitation are common.  

The mission of Rwanda Girls Initiative (RGI) is to educate and empower girls of Rwanda to reach their highest potential.  This is made possible by our many donors and partners who provide scholarships to 98% of our students. As a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) school, our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation has nurtured students to become leaders in the country in academic and entrepreneurial achievements that will help transform the nation, and continent by developing the next generation of scientists, social entrepreneurs, advocates and thought leaders who will bring new insights and solutions to the biggest global challenges we face.

On International Day of the Girl we are thrilled to share an essay by Gashora Girls Academy Alumna, Rusa Divine, and her passion to fight for Women's Rights.  

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Growing up in a ‘typical African family’, sexual and reproductive health topics were taboo and topics that were not discussed by the older generations. This created a thirst in me for knowledge and a inspired me to apply for medical school.  This would be the perfect platform for me to satisfy my curiosity. After graduating from Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology (GGAST) in 2013, I applied for and was accepted to the University of Rwanda.  Unfortunately, it did not satisfy me to the extent that I wanted.

Cutting the story short, last year I joined IFMSA (International Federation of Medical Students’ Association) which is currently the biggest student run organization in the world, and I would say the first place that truly and fully quenched my thirst for knowledge on reproductive health. IFMSA works under 6 standing committees and I am currently involved in SCORA, Standing Committee on Sexual and Reproductive Health including HIV/AIDS, where I work as the SCORA Regional Assistant for Africa! We perform many activities such as campaigns, awareness programs, educational programs, training's, outreaches, and attend external meetings.  These are done locally, regionally and internationally.  IFMSA and SCORA has opened many gates for me, and taught me how to advocate for the change I want to see in the world.

Around the world, but mostly in Africa, women’s rights are violated daily. Girls are forced into marriage at a young age, mutilated where she is then considered to be a woman, and raped.  Girls are dropping out of school due to various reasons, including unwanted pregnancies.  These young girls do not have access to sexual and reproductive health information and services to take care of themselves are know their options. All these are women’s rights that are being violated daily.

Wait….

You might be thinking, that this is not an issue here in Rwanda.

But believe me when I say that is an issue, and a serious one.  I have worked for almost a year now in different hospitals here in Rwanda both outside and inside of Kigali, and we meet these cases every single day.

These are not just other medical cases that we encounter but they are human beings with families who care for them. All this has shaped me into a young female advocate for women’s health especially girls and reproductive health.

It is a topic that am now familiar with, a topic that once you bring it up, people will roll their eyes.  However, this is what keeps me going because it’s high time we put this on the table, whether we want it or not. These are issues that are happening out there to our mothers, sisters, aunties, cousins and friends. Why not fight for and with them?

IFMSA has brought me on a journey where I feel like I am making an impact either directly or indirectly, but you do not need a big organization to start the fight. Start small, start with a few group of people, start wherever you are and start with whatever you have and before you know it you will have done a lot more than you think. 

As I finish, I’ll end with a quotation from Marianne Williamson’s book,  A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles, that I heard  while I was at GGAST.  “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

 

STRIVE, but never forget the present!

Every time a meet a bright young woman I look into her eyes and remember myself. I always used to wonder what I would be like as an adult.

When I was a child I loved to play. My imagination was free and I enjoyed carefree play. I remember turning 10 years old and wondering what I would be like in the year 2000. I would be so grown then! What would I be doing?

I am sure many young women reading this share some of those thoughts as they navigate life into adulthood.

But as I became I teenager I increasingly focused on the realities of the world. I was so focused on future visions of myself that I think sometimes I forgot about the present.

Yet if there is one thing I could tell myself back then, it would be to enjoy the journey more.

One day I took the time to reflect on what has become of the girl who wondered. What are some of the ways in which I would describe myself now? I could think of many ways but I decided to narrow it down to the top 4 that people who encounter me experience the most. So, in this blog I share with you what they mean to me. As you read, I want you to remember that all your hopes, dreams and ambitions are valid. Remember that you don’t have to become just one of the many facets of yourself. You can become them all. Sometimes you cannot be all at the same time but each day I find that at some point I am one of these at least.

Business Leader

I am passionate about business. Business, in the right hands, can be a force for good. When I was 17 years old I decided that one of the things I wanted to be was a business leader. I later understood and defined that to mean CEO and pursued that goal. My reasoning was simple; if I can lead business I will be in a position to make good decisions that impact lives. It was the surest way to impact society, in my view. So, as you consider the future and your role in society, remember that there are many ways to make a positive impact. For me becoming a CEO allowed me to do more than just make impactful decisions. It provided a platform for me to talk to many people. It allowed me to talk to influential people and share my ideas in the hope that their views will be enriched. So, remember that your ambition is valid.

Engineer

I was exposed to engineering at a very early age. My Dad is an engineer and he made fixing things look normal. He taught me mathematics in ways that heightened my curiosity. So, I loved science and mathematics so much. Being able to solve a problem always felt rewarding. So, for me, becoming an engineer seemed like the most natural thing to do. I once toyed with becoming a doctor. Looking back, I suspect I did not want to miss my beloved mathematics.

At some point, I realized that people did not think young girls should become engineers. But I found out too late to be convinced. Not everyone will share in your views on career and that is okay. What matters is that you discern the right voices to listen to. That you learn to filter out noise and focus on the inputs that build you up.

Wife

I got married because I wanted to and not because I had to. I enjoy being able to walk through the journey of life with someone who really cares about my journey. Someone with whom we can mutually reinforce and enrich what life has to offer. That is why it has to be a choice - of both people - to walk the path. The best part for me is alignment of values. Two people come from different backgrounds with different experiences and cannot possibly have the same views on everything. What makes it possible are values. Values provide the compass that helps us navigate life. So, before you have to think about assessing someone else’s values, be kind to yourself and determine what your own values are.

Mum

Becoming and being a Mum is the most challenging facet of my life. I tell my children how they gave me a new name, Mum! However, with that name comes uncertainty. I never understand why anyone would assume that being a Mum is easy. I can assure you that being a Mum is more demanding than being an engineer. Engineering presents certainty. Even when you get things wrong you can fault-find your way to correct your mistake most of the time. Children are different. They are people who are evolving into themselves. They don’t come packaged in certainty.

Being Mum is by far the best part of my life. It stretches me beyond my limits physically, emotionally and mentally. If it is one of your goals, prepare yourself to be stretched. The stretch is the reason why sometimes you hear more about the challenges. I accept all the good support I can get because I know I am not the only person they need.

If like me you are a dreamer, then I hope reading this has given you one idea of what a girl like you can become. And if you live more in the present, then I hope that reading this will help you embrace all that you are.

Regardless of your perspective, what ultimately matters is that you realize your potential.

The world needs your best, so let it all out.