Dieudonne Kayiranga

Both of my parents died before the war, when I was still very young-four or five years old. Before they died, I remember that they tried to teach me and my two brothers to love each other and to behave well. They were both farmers; I don't think either of them finished secondary school.

After my parents died, I was very sick and my siblings could not take care of me. They moved in with my grandmother and brought me to the orphanage, where I met other children who had the same problems as I did. We supported each other-we played, sang, and respected our caretakers, who were like parents to us. Even so, I worried a lot about my future, and often wondered whether I would live to be as big as I am now. There wasn't always enough food, or money to pay my school fees, and I didn't know who would help me to pay to go to university in order to have a better future.

In secondary school I studied math, biology, and geography. I worked very hard, and on holidays I worked as a tutor in math or physics to earn a little money while keeping up my studying. I passed my exams and gained entrance to the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology to study civil engineering and environmental technology.

At university, I am working hard and planning for my future. I chose to become an engineer because I would like to participate in developing this country by helping to improve its infrastructure. I enjoy sharing ideas and learning from my fellow students, and when I finish my studies, I look forward to working cooperatively with other engineers.

Outside of school, I do not have a job because I am very focused on my schoolwork. But I do like playing football and make some money from winning competitions. I am currently playing on KIST's football team and we compete with other East African universities in an annual tournament-in the last two years, we went to Nairobi, but this year it will take place in Kigali.

If I could change something, I would help the orphans of this country. There needs to be more support for orphans-job opportunities, educational support. Others have helped me, and I wish to give back to the younger orphans.

I would like to thank all the donors who have contributed to pay for my education and for the other students of Orphans of Rwanda. It's a very good action. We will try to work hard, to perform well and succeed in our studies so that ORI will continue to support us and others like us.