Latest Blog PostsNew 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! The Future of Rwanda: A Preview
Earlier this month, Innocent Mushenyi – an ORI scholar studying law at the Université Libre de Kigali – defended his undergraduate dissertation. Innocent not only defended his dissertation successfully but he also received the highest dissertation grade in ORI history; he is now the fifth ORI scholar to graduate from university. This is great news at any time, but I could not help connecting Innocent’s achievement with the incredible speech about Africa’s future that President Obama gave on July 11 in Accra, the capital of Ghana. Rwanda 15 Years On: ORI article in NY TimesThe blog of New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof recently published an article co-authored by ORI Board member Josh Ruxin and Executive Director Michael Brotchner on Rwanda 15 years after the genocide. The article, which discusses Rwanda’s tremendous strides forward since 1994, can be found on the Times website here. Leadership & cultural exchange: ORI students volunteer in KenyaOne of ORI’s main areas of focus is providing our students with opportunities to accept internships that build their skills and prepare them for future leadership roles. Emily Hayter, one of ORI’s fantastic volunteers in Kigali over the past year, shared the following news about the first-ever ORI students to intern outside of Rwanda. One quality about ORI students which has always impressed me is their strong motivation to help others. Despite having faced enormous challenges in their own lives, they are determined to use any success they may achieve to support other people. The students are all very aware of Vision 2020, the government’s ambitious development plan. They have set their sights firmly on being part of it, and many are already volunteering, mentoring, counseling and supporting their communities. more… ORI featured in Miller-McCune MagazineOrphans of Rwanda is the feature story of the latest issue of Miller-McCune magazine. Writer Colleen Shaddox spent time with our students and team in Rwanda, spoke with co-founders Dai Ellis & Oliver Rothschild, and had the opportunity to speak with some of our key partners. You can find the article — titled “Simply Rwandan” — here!
Introducing new ORI scholar Timothee MwizihireJanuary marks the beginning of the academic year in Rwanda and the time when ORI’s scholars return to the nation’s top universities to continue their studies. It is also the time when our newly accepted students begin their university careers. One of the 46 new ORI scholars is Timothée Mwizihire, who has just begun studying computer science at the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology. Click here to read more about Timothée! |
