Justine Ingabire

My parents both completed secondary school, but neither attended university. My father left Rwanda in 1959 during the earlier persecution of the Tutsis. He met and married my mother in Uganda where they had three children: my younger brother (now 19), my younger sister (now 16) and myself (now 21). I grew up with my family in Uganda, but during the war, my father returned to Rwanda to fight for the Rwandan Patriotic Front against the people responsible for the genocide. He was killed during the fighting, and not long after, my mother died of diabetes.

Having lost both of our parents, my siblings and I had little choice but to return to Rwanda. When we arrived, we were taken in by surviving aunts and uncles. During the genocide, I took refuge in a school with many other children like myself. In the school, RPF soldiers protected us from the Interahamwe [the Hutu militia]. Fortunately, the Interahamwe were never able to enter the school, so we were safe.

I have happy memories of my mother and father taking me and my siblings for treats, for a picnic or to the swimming pool. I loved sitting at home, listening to them tell stories or watching television together. As a child, I liked to learn. I also enjoyed singing, and going to church to pray.

After the genocide, life was very difficult. I was taken in by my uncle, but my uncle's wife did not care for me. She seemed to be jealous because I was working hard and doing well in my studies. Often, she would not give me enough money for school or to buy shoes. She would also make up stories about me and tell my uncle I was lying and deceiving them. Sadly, she changed my uncle. Because of her stories, they would not help me when I was sick. However, my relationship with them has improved more recently.

At secondary school, I especially enjoyed studying mathematics and physics. I had a hard time at school because there often wasn't enough money to pay my school fees. In addition, my uncle and aunt were not caring for me properly. However, I knew that I had to continue working hard in order to ensure a better future for myself.

I was very happy to be selected by ORI for a university scholarship. I am attending the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, where I study computer sciences. After I get my degree, I hope to further my studies in America before returning to Rwanda. In Rwanda, I hope to set up my own business, and perhaps run an internet cafÈ.

In 10 years time, I imagine Rwanda to be a safe and peaceful country. However, I also believe the level of education in Rwanda today is poor due to the destruction of many schools during the genocide. Things still have not improved sufficiently. Nevertheless, I see hope for the future of the education system. There are also a lot of problems in the Rwandan health system. I believe that in some provinces, even now, there is ethnic discrimination. If a Tutsi goes to a Hutu doctor, or vice versa, they will not be properly cared for. Also, many doctors are more like businessmen and prescribe expensive medicines to make more money. In 2005, I suffered from headaches and went to see a Hutu doctor. He prescribed medication that was far too strong for my problem; it caused me to become delirious and also to start fights with people for no apparent reason. Before I received sponsorship from Orphans of Rwanda, I had never even been to a health clinic--I could never afford to go.

I am happy to see foreign organizations helping people in Rwanda--especially after all that Rwanda has been through. Thank you very much. You are good, kind people.