Latest Blog PostsORI Launches 2010 with All-student Meeting in KigaliOn January 24, ORI launched the 2010 academic year by bringing together its students from around the country to learn about new components of our education and leadership program. At the meeting, which took place in Kigali, the ORI team introduced students to new developments regarding our language training program, our computer training program and new opportunities for entrepreneurship and leadership development. The students also learned about enhancements to our career development program, which prepares students to obtain internships and part-time jobs that will launch students’ careers and enable them to develop their professional skills.
New ORI Honor Roll students with Executive Director Michael Brotchner & Country Director Charles Rukikanshuro At the meeting, we recognized the students who joined the ORI Honor Roll. Thirty-six students achieved this distinction, up from sixteen students in the Honor Roll named in September 2009. Honor Roll students have distinguished themselves academically and have also demonstrated their leadership skills, dedication to career development, and motivation to engage in extracurricular activities. As the 2010 academic year begins, everyone at ORI is looking forward to another exciting year of achievements by our talented and driven scholars. ORI’s newest university grads: Aimable and ChristelleORI is proud to recognize the achievements of our two newest graduates: Christelle Umutoni and Aimable Niyitegeka!  New graduate Christelle Umutoni
 Aimable defending his dissertation Christelle graduated from the Universite Libre de Kigali (ULK) with a degree in Social Sciences, and obtained an outstanding score on her dissertation! (The dissertation was about the work of ORI.) Aimable also graduated from ULK and his dissertation had the following title: Impact of Information Technology Applications to the Improvement of Services; Case of Electrogaz. Aimable, who also scored very highly on his dissertation, has worked for Electrogaz — a utility company in Rwanda — for the past two years and he will continue to work there. Christelle and Aimable are the 7th and 8th ORI students to graduate from university! Congratulations to them both! Now Playing at ORI: Rwandan Grand Prix!In November, Orphans of Rwanda was fortunate to have Matthew Harding conduct a workshop on Internet video production for our students. Matt is well-known for his “Where the Hell is Matt?” videos, which have been viewed by millions throughout the world. The workshop, which took place in Kigali, gave students an opportunity to develop their own ideas for a brief video and then film it. Over the next few weeks, we will be publishing the students’ videos on our website. In the meantime, enjoy Rwandan Grand Prix – a new video that Matt himself directed and which stars two of our students, Janvier Kwihangana and Nicholas Rutikanga! ORI’s Newest Scholars Begin OrientationThis summer, ORI accepted its sixth class of new scholars — 27 extremely bright young people who possess an impressive combination of ambition, intelligence, and resilience.  ORI's Newest Scholars at Orientation We were fortunate to choose these new scholars from an extremely talented group of applicants: we received 2,700 applications this year, 80% more than we received last year. In September, the newly selected students began a 10-week Orientation & Training program that provides the scholars with the opportunity to improve their computer and language skills in advance of beginning their university educations in January. The first week of Orientation involves intensive workshops on subjects such as time management and study skills, and gives students a chance to meet and learn from each other and current ORI students (and recent ORI graduates!). Reflections from Rwanda by ORI Board member Eloise AustinThis summer, I returned to Kigali to spend time with our current students and to observe final interviews for the new class of ORI scholars. The student selection process is a four-month marathon that seeks to identify students with the greatest potential to develop into innovative thinkers and leaders in their respective fields. Our team assesses each candidate’s background, capabilities and motivation through a review of written applications, language exam scores, academic accomplishments and in-person interviews.  Eloise with students and ORI co-founders Dai Ellis and Oliver Rothschild New ORI graduate Gilbert NshimiyimanaORI now has its 6th graduate: Gilbert Nshimiyimana, who successfully defended his dissertation at the Université Libre de Kigali’s Sociology Department earlier this month. His topic was “Psychosocial problems of adolescents living in Rwanda’s orphanages: the case of Gisimba Memorial Center.” Gilbert not only passed, but he received the highest dissertation marks in ORI history. Congratulations, Gilbert!
 Gilbert just before his dissertation defense ORI students support the “One Dollar Campaign”Earlier this year, members of the Rwandan Diaspora launched an international effort called the “One Dollar Campaign.” The Campaign’s goal was to raise $1 from each member of the diaspora in order to build shelters for survivors of the genocide. The Campaign has been a huge success and has raised thousands of dollars in donations throughout the world. ORI’s students — led by Julliet Busingye, former Student Government Association president — played a part in this effort. An ORI supporter gave our students a challenge: she would match all contributions that the students made to the Campaign. Over the last few months, ORI students made their contributions, which totaled 50,000 Rwandan francs (about $89). The donor matched this amount and, earlier this month, Julliet presented the combined contribution to Robert Masozera, Director General for Diaspora Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation — and the person responsible for coordinating the campaign. Mr. Masozera stated that the donations from ORI’s students were extremely meaningful and he thanked the students for their generous support of the Campaign. Here is a photo from the occasion:  Director General Masozera and Julliet Busingye The Butare Debating SocietyLast Friday, I was in Butare to spend the day with our students at the National University of Rwanda (NUR). We now have 50 students at NUR and, every Friday, two members of our team go there to provide supplementary English language training. The students are organized according to their proficiency level and the assignments for one of the groups was a debate on the merits of Rwanda’s membership in the East African Community.
(Left to right) Emmanuel, Clarisse, Sylvere, Eric, Clementine in debate mode ORI student Oliver Kansiime stars on the radioOne of our students at the Kigali Health Institute – Oliver Kansiime – was on the radio recently representing her school’s Dentistry Department. She (yes, Oliver is a woman’s name in Rwanda) answered questions about the school’s work educating people throughout Rwanda about dental-related health problems. Great job, Oliver!
ORI students participate in major youth conference in KigaliTwo ORI students — Charles Habonimana and Jackson Vugayabagabo — participated in a major youth conference this weekend that brought together young people studying both in Rwanda and abroad. At the conference, Jackson had the honor of speaking with President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame and, in the photo below, he is sitting next to the First Lady (whose Imbuto Foundation organized the event).  Jackson and First Lady Jeannette Kagame The New Times, Rwanda’s main paper, reported on the conference. Congratulations to Charles and Jackson on their participation and invitation to the conference! |
