Success Stories

CLEMENTINE MUKABERA

Abandoned at birth to her grandmother, she got by until her grandmother was disabled by age and cancer. ACSD found a foster-family who helped until she was accepted into secondary boarding school.

To our astonishment, she went immediately to third in her class of 100. She earned a scholarship to university and graduated in 2023. We mistakenly calculated she didn’t stand a chance for employment with only her BA and her disability. So, we offered to support her for a Masters in Project Management. She surprised us again by immediately getting a job.

She has realigned herself for a weekend study program that allows her to work full time and pay half of her expenses. We are excited for future as an advocate and inspiration for others with disabilities.

This milestone was made possible through the generous support of our donors, the dedication of our team, and the unwavering resilience of the students we serve.

Simon Simbikangwa

Simon has been supported by ACSD from his A-Levels, through is University of Rwanda Bachelor’s Degree in Science, through to recent completion of a Master’s of Science in Sustainable Water and Land Management from Ghent University in Belgium. He has won the Science department Grant award for best thesis.

Simon, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by graduating at the top of his class from the prestigious Ghent University in Belgium, specializing in Water and Land Management. This remarkable accomplishment highlights Simon’s dedication, expertise, and commitment to addressing critical global challenges in sustainable resource management.

Simon was born the ninth child in a poor family living on the shores of Lake Kivu in rural Rwanda. His father died when he was four and by the time he was eight, he was pulling nets on his uncle’s fishing boat. He missed lots of school and had to repeat 3 grades. We sponsored him to secondary boarding school at 18 and those setbacks sparked in him a passion for education that has kept him at the top of his class through secondary, university and graduate school.

Through unrelenting hard work, Simon graduated October 5th, 2024, with Distinction as Master of Sustainable Land and Water Management from the prestigious University of Gent, Belgium. Not only did he overcome a huge learning deficit coming from his Rwandan education, he is one of only six students in his original class of 37 who passed every course to complete his Masters Degree in two years. His thesis was recognized as the most outstanding in the Department for 2023-24.

Simon will return home to Rwanda with the skill to turn flood plains into fertile fields and catch heavy rains into reservoirs. Our investment will bring benefit for generations.

Safari Iranzi

I was raised with my brother by my mother and my elderly widowed grandmother. I was told my father was exiled and never returned. Before ACSD’s support, it was difficult to survive, let alone study.

I was fortunate to be supported by ACSD starting in Secondary 2. During secondary school, ACSD provided me with school fees, some school materials, and motivation fees based on my success each term. In university, I received a monthly living allowance and a laptop.

I recently graduated and am now a Clinical Officer, treating patients and serving the local community. I hope to continue growing professionally, thanks to the strong foundation I received from ACSD.

Much respect and blessings to everyone who supported me along the way.

MUNEZERO Olivier

I am deeply grateful for the incredible support I have provided by ACSD covering my school fees. Your generosity has been a lifeline for me and my family.

I come from a poor family, I am blessed to have both mother and father, we are 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls and I am the 5th Born, where we have always prioritized going to school despite facing challenges. My parents they are old but they try to provide for us, but with limited financial resources, it has often been difficult to meet basic needs, only me and another 2 sisters who tried to run school up to university level, while for my side my life and carrier has been changed since I joined ACSD.

Then ACSD support has not only lifted a heavy burden from my parent but also reminded me that kindness and generosity can change lives. I promise to honor your investment in my education by working hard, giving back to my community, and making the most of the opportunities you have given me.

ACSD started to support my school since 2017 when I was in daily school secondary 3 (S3) at G.S St Paul Tyazo after one year they continued to support to Advanced level At E.S GISHOMA from S4 – S6 when I was in Boarding school.

In February 2023 I got an opportunity to continue university studies as INES RUHENGERI university in FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE, again I have started getting living allowance from ACSD, Nowadays I live at NOTHERN PROVINCE, MUSANZE DISTRICT and KIMONYI SECTOR, I am doing year 3 studies about success in year one I got 75.63 out of 100 marks while in year two I got 77.20 out of 100 marks and also in year 3 I promise to do the best.

Sincerely,

Olivier MUNEZERO

EMMANUEL MASHYAKA

Emmanuel is currently pursuing a Master’s in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. A double orphan since the age of two, Emmanuel was passed from family to family. Today, he considers ACSD his true family.

His life took a transformative turn when Rwanda Rising, through ACSD, offered to support his secondary school education. Later, he received a tuition scholarship to attend university. ACSD continued to provide him with living stipends, enabling him to graduate as a physician. Today, ACSD remains a steadfast supporter, empowering Emmanuel’s dream of becoming a gynecologist through ongoing financial assistance and mentorship.

“Without ACSD I would be a village laborer or maybe a tailor but instead, last year I was Deputy Director of a 350-bed hospital,treating a hundred patients a week. My dream now is to serve expecting mothers.”

MUKUNDABANTU Pierre

“I grew up in a poor family where I had no hope to study, and there was no way forward.

Life was very difficult, no future, but I was determined to stay in school.

ACSD first supported me during secondary school, especially in ‘advanced level,’ helping me stay in boarding school. Thanks to their help, I’ve made it to university, studying health sciences in the Department of Midwifery.

My goal is to use what I’ve learned to help my community and give back to ACSD, who made all this possible.”

MUTUYIMANA DANIEL

“I was born into a family of three children—one boy and two girls. After we lost my dad, life changed completely. My mom was jobless and suffered from chronic illnesses, which forced me to leave school to care for my family.

In 2012, while at the hospital caring for my mom, I met a great man from Rwanda Rising. They not only supported my education but also helped my entire family. They sent me to boarding school, and I graduated in 2015.

After that, I worked in road construction as a surveyor. I also became a father of two children. Today, I thank Rwanda Rising for giving me another chance to continue my studies at university.

We hope to show the same kindness to the younger generation in the future.

Blessings,
Daniel”

Dushime Emmanuel

I grew up in a family with limited resources, which taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. I have two siblings and a single parent—our mother, who raised us after we lost our father years ago. Sadly, none of us ever got to know him.

I began school in 2010 at age six and advanced steadily. In 2019, I passed my Ordinary Level National Examination and specialized in Computer Systems and Technology in 2020. Despite frequent suspensions due to unpaid fees, meeting John Jordan during my third term after COVID-19 changed my life. His support through ACSD has allowed me to focus on my studies.

Today, I am working hard to become an expert in computer networking and software development. The support I received from ACSD/Rwanda Rising has empowered me, and I am committed to giving back and making a positive impact, inspired by the kindness that was shown to me.

Yours sincerely!!!!!

Yanzigira Celine

Growing up , I was raised by my mother after my father left when I was aged fourteen years age while it wasn’t always easy my mother instilled in me the values of resilience and compassion. ACSD supported me when I was in secondary four and helped me to pay school fees and their unwavering support helped to study physics, chemistry and biology as required combination to study clinical psychology in university .
My mother’s strength and unwavering support from ACSD inspired me to pursue a career in clinical psychology.i believe that understanding mental health is crucial for supporting our community especially those who might feel alone and unsupported as once I did. Throughout my studies I aim to provide the guidance and support that can help others to heal and thrive.

Celine
Blessings