Where there's a hope, there's a future.

Wanna know who she is?

She was raised in a village where education is not a thing to consider. A village where parents themselves prevent children from going to school, just for them to help on the farm, or take care of their little siblings, all of this to get something to put on the table. I wonder how she could thrive, being surrounded by such people.

What’s good for her is that she is never hopeless even in difficult times, she believes that miracles exist. She says, “If miracles do not exist, I too do not exist”.

She would never imagine herself accessing a good quality education for free, in a school where others pay millions of Burundian Francs(BIF) for their children to get enrolled in the school.

Now she is at school, her mother passes away, but she is not told until she goes back home for Christmas holidays. What’s remaining for her? God never forgets his people, the FVS Amade and his uncle Achel Manirafasha are already there for her.

Wanna explore more? Keep reading and see who she is.

My name is Jovith NTIRANYIBAGIRA,

I was born and raised in Rumonge province, Buyengero commune, and my hometown(village) is Kinama, which is situated in the southern part of Burundi, in 2004. I grew up with my widowed mother and my elder brother until I was twelve, when she sadly passed away. Life at home was not easy. My mother was doing her best for my brother and I to be happy. Still, this could not prevent us from sleeping with a growling stomach. We did not have that great amount of land to cultivate. So, most of the time, my mother was working on someone else’s farm and earned almost nothing.

At six years old, I joined the local primary school, Ecole Primaire de Kinama, in my village. My educational journey has been far from the ordinary. Oftenly chased from school due to financial hardship, I dreamt of completing even primary level. The hoe on the shoulder, heading to farm, helping my mother so that we can get something to put on the table, was my life while away from school because my mother could not pay for my school fees. On the other hand, the people we were working for appreciated my hard work at my young age, but my desire was to go to school. My mother and I could spend more than 7 hours a day working on someone else’s farm just to earn the 2,000 BIF. I was convinced that finishing my primary education was a dream because of the limited resources, as long as getting school uniforms was still a luxury for me. I remember hiding myself under the bench when the director came into our classroom to see students who were not wearing school uniforms. I did not want to miss any of the lessons. Unfortunately, there came to pass a period where I couldn’t hide myself anymore. I had to go to school, if I get lucky enough and that day they do not verify who is or who is not wearing uniforms, it was heaven for me.

Though I was attending school alternatively, I always ended up with good grades in every class. Teachers liked me a lot because I was always making progress in my grades despite the challenges. Hence, two of them, Butoyi Venant and Kobako Prosper, decided to take care of my primary education from the third grade till I finished my primary school.

Desperate that I was, I could never think about going to secondary school. The 4,500 BIF per term was a burden for my family. I always appreciated high school students who were attending the local lycee, and I was always imagining myself in the blue skirt and white shirt.

FVS Amade and Ecole Amie des enfants de Matana

God has always remembered his people. There comes the intervention of the FVS(Famille pour Vaincre le Sida: Family to Fight against AIDS) organization.

Over time, this organization has created numerous programs that provide solutions to other challenges that the communities face. For example, they created solidarity groups called "Nawe N’uze"(Let’s go together) that save money each week to support themselves and the orphans. They created a microfinance organization that can provide larger loans to entrepreneurs within the groups. And also, they have created community health mutual cards so that the members' families, including the orphans in their care, have access to healthcare.

Then, FVS passes through the groups and selects students in the underprivileged families in every province every year.

It was almost at the end of my summer holidays in 2016, I was at home with my mom washing some plates because we were just having our lunch. Then, a man from the Nawe Nuze from my village came to our home, and said to my mother: “ There is a delegation sent from the FVS Amade from Bujumbura to see your daughter. They want to give her a scholarship to go and study at Ishuri ry’akarorero umugenzi w’abana at Matana. They would like to see her physically, and they are not coming here to your home . ”

My mother told me to get ready and follow the man. I washed my face, my legs and my hands, and my uncle escorted me and went with the man. When we reached the place where the delegation was, they let me enter their car and started asking me a lot of questions like what is your name? How old are you? Do you have parents? etc.I remember that I only answered some of the questions and started to cry, but do not ask me what made me cry. As I couldn’t reply again to the questions, I got out of the car, and they interviewed my uncle. After they have finished, they gave us a day on which I have to go to one of their offices at Bururi. I went home happy, but when I spread the good news to my mom, everything changed in her mind. Guess what! She remembered the Hutu resentment of 1972, and decided that I would not leave home to go to Bururi. When my uncle and my aunt asked her why she didn't want me to go, she replied that the man wanted to sell me to Tutsi people and they would probably kill me. They tried to convince her that I was going to study, and finally she accepted.

The day arrived, it was a sunday, and my uncle took me to Bururi. It was my first time going there, we went on foot and walked for four hours.When we reached the place, we found out that we forgot my transcript, then we were asked to go back and come back with the transcript. I was so tired, and my legs could no longer stand. Where would I have spent a night? My uncle had a friend who was a policeman working in the local area of the office we were heading to. He told him the story, and the policeman agreed to host me for one night. My uncle went back home, and came back Monday morning with the transcript. He passed to take me where I spent the night in a camp, and we went to the office.

When we arrived there, the coordinator of the office , whose name is Edouard Niyungeko, received us and took my documents. He took a picture of me, and told my uncle , “You can go back home, and know that if she is here, she’s already reached the school.”. Then, my uncle hugged me for around one minute, and departed. I cried a little bit because I knew how much I was going to miss my family. The coordinator took me to his house, and introduced me to everybody in the house. I spent one night there and the next day he took me to school in Matana.

FVS Amade offered me a life-opportunity. Their private school, “Ecole Amie des enfants de Matana (Friend of children School), specifically enrolls academically gifted students from underprivileged backgrounds from all over the country. I got a chance to be chosen among thousands of orphans and other vulnerable children(OVC) settling in Burundi. Entering this vibrant environment filled with confident students initially felt overwhelming.

While the language of instruction was French, I was not able to thrive easily with my poor background in French. I was coming from a public primary school where courses are taught in Kirundi(Burundian language) from the first grade to the fourth, and French is introduced from the fifth grade of primary. I was worried about how I could become fluent like others. I remember that I failed a lot of my first tests, because questions were difficult for me to get a clue of what was asked. I even thought of going back home, because it seemed like nothing was working for me. Fortunately, the unwavering encouragement and dedication from my teachers ignited my academic achievements.

Thanks to Vincent Ndayiragije who gave himself for me and some of my friends who were still behind in French , so that I may be on the same page with other children who were coming from well off families. I remember him teaching me how to pronounce ‘‘ une fille, un garcon’’, in my 7th form, phrases that are taught to kindergarten children in the city. During the extra classes that I was taking part in, we read poems, learnt songs in French and played short sketches.

‘‘'Tis true there is much to be done, and perhaps you are weakhanded,

but stick to it steadily, and you will see great effects, for constant

dropping wears away stones, and by diligence and patience the mouse

ate in two the cable; and little strokes fell great oaks.’’(The way to wealth,poem, by Benjamin Franklin).

Of course the class schedule was overloaded, attending classes from 7:30 AM to 4:00 Pm. Every day except weekends, I had to wake up at 5:00 AM while others were asleep to review my notes and sometimes prepare for tests, if they are available. After classes, I have to join others in the hall where we used to gather ourselves for the extra lessons in French. I improved slowly and became someone else in my fluency.

Being there, I discovered a passion for helping others, becoming a peer tutor who excelled at explaining complex concepts in a clear and engaging way. My positive impact on my classmates reflected FVS Amade’s mission, solidifying my own aspirations to empower others through education.

The first term was over. I packed some of my clothes and prepared myself to go home for the Christmas holidays. My uncle came to meet me halfway, but the mood in which he was in could reveal that there is something wrong. I was still young, I did not have that courage to ask him what was the matter until I got home and found that my mother was no longer there. My uncle insisted that I may go to stay with his family, I accepted because I had no choice.

I cried for around three minutes, and calmed myself down. After a certain period, they started telling me how it all happened and why my brother escaped from the village.

“Your mom fell sick. As days went on, the disease became serious. We tried to take her to the hospital but the doctors couldn’t help. We do not know what killed your mother. After your brother heard that your mother died, he waited for funerals, and then packed his things and went to Bujumbura to look for a job”. These were the words said by my aunt.

After hearing these words, the sadness in my heart increased , and I could not say anything.

After the holidays were over I went back to school. In the first days, my thoughts were all about my mother, and sometimes, I was not able to hold myself; I cried. As days went on, I slowly got used to it and continued with my studies. I finished secondary school at Ecole Amie des enfants de Matana with a focus in Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences.

Tujenge Scholars Program

After I graduated from high school, I got a chance to apply for a leadership-oriented program, Tujenge scholars program through Tujenge Africa Foundation. The Tujenge Scholars Program (TSP) empowers the next generation of Burundian leaders. This intensive 18-month bridge program, offered by the Tujenge Africa Foundation, equips graduates from secondary school with the academic foundation and leadership skills necessary to thrive in university and beyond. By fostering critical thinking through the humanities, building fluency in English, and bolstering STEM knowledge, TSP cultivates well-rounded individuals prepared to tackle Burundi's challenges.

If I could describe a bit on how I got there, I remember that it was not easy for me as my English was so poor. I think that most people who studied under the Burundian system of education know how high school students neglect language classes(French, English, Kiswahili..). I was that kind of person when it came to English classes, but what I liked was being an English Club member for two years.

Coming back to the process of getting into the Tujenge Scholars program, I was given a link on whatsapp by a friend of mine who knew about Tujenge from his friend.

I completed every blank space thinking it was going to stop on thickening Yes or No, but when I got to the part where we were asked to write a 150-350 words essay, I got stuck and stopped everything. I abandoned the stuff, and focused on other things.

The deadline was October 14. The friend of mine who gave me the link called me one week before the deadline asking me whether I am done with the form. You know what I answered? “I gave up with the application”. He was mad at me because he knew me as a determined person who does not take any opportunity for granted. Hearing the way he was talking to me, it was undoubtful that he was disappointed. On the same day I decided to redo the application. I completed the remaining line and wrote the short response essays in one night with my poor english. In the morning of the following day I sent the application via email, and waited to hear from the program.

There was no hope that I would be shortlisted for an interview.

Imagine my surprise when a call arrived, congratulating me on my application and inviting me to interview! The pre-interview dinner, buzzing with conversation and camaraderie amongst fellow applicants, calmed some of my nerves. Yet, self-doubt resurfaced during the night. Seeing other applicants confidently expressing themselves in English, I worried my limited English would disqualify me.

The following day at 9:30 A.M was my time for the interview. I woke up, dressed, and took my way to the Tujenge office. When I reached the place, I found other applicants who had the interview on the same day. We talked for a short time while having our breakfast and everybody passed their interview and went back home. For this part of time, I was more hopeless than I was before, because I thought that Tujenge selects only people who are fluent in English. It was not until I got a call congratulating me again for the next step that I made, I was like how come a ignorant person like me be selected to be part of the Tujenge community.

Tujenge program is not only about learning English, stem and leadership skills, it is about practicing those skills. For me Tujenge was a family due to its kind classmates and stunning teachers who care about their learners and provide them with the help that they need.

As a Tujenge Scholar, I was most impressed by the program's holistic approach to education and personal development. The 17-month curriculum challenged me academically, but also equipped me with critical thinking skills, leadership abilities, and a deep sense of purpose.

The academic pillars - including English proficiency, critical thinking, and university preparation - provided a strong foundation for my future studies. But what truly set Tujenge apart was its emphasis on character development and civic engagement. Through seminars on ethics, service-learning projects, and mentorship from the dedicated staff, I was able to cultivate values like humility, integrity, and radical empathy.

Coming from an orphaned background, Tujenge became a family to me. The program's focus on community and mutual support created an environment where I could thrive, both intellectually and emotionally. I formed deep connections with my fellow Scholars, and we pushed each other to reach new heights.

Overall, the Tujenge Scholars Program was transformative. It equipped me not just with academic skills, but with the mindset and values to become an ethical, impactful leader in my community. The program's holistic approach has left an indelible mark on me, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity it provided.