Two students will between May 3 and May 7, represent Kigali central region at a public speaking and exchange event that brings together students from countries in the Great Lakes region. The pair was chosen in an event organised by Youth NGO, Ejo Youth Echo that pitted students from 9 schools across the country, on Sunday at Lycee de Kigali .

Brune Itetere, a student at Glory Secondary School, and Saidat Uwase Rwagasana, a student at IPR Nyandungu Secondary, will be joined by other pairs from Huye and Rubavu who participated in a similar event. The six students will compete with six others from DR Congo , Uganda and Burundi.

This is the fifth edition of the public speaking and exchange event. This year’s theme is " Breaking a culture of silence; the role of the youth in promoting tolerance and constructive dialogue.” Students had to compose a speech in line with the theme and it’s context, adhering to the rules of the game like expression and presentation and time keeping in front of a panel of judges.

The students were divided into French and English speakers. Itetere, who won in the French category, said it was a pleasure getting the opportunity to represent the country.

She said being in school shouldn’t stop students from exploring their talents and taking up opportunities as long as they can manage their time.

For Uwase, it was a feeling of pride since it was her first time engaging in public speech.

She urged other students to embrace public speaking.

Theoneste Ndungutse, the Peace Building Program field officer at Never Again, the co-organisers and chief judge on the panel, advised more students to participate in such activities.

"This is a platform where everybody can contribute. It is not about who knows the best English or French,” he said, adding that those who had won would share their experiences.

According to Betty Ndayisaba, the assistant coordinator of Ejo Youth Echo, the turn up was lower than expected as they had invited only 14 schools. However, she said, the students had shown better capability at presenting compared to previous years.

Ndayisaba added that they had to change the event from a "public speech competition” to an "exchange event” to involve more students to participate and learn from each other.

The winners will meet their counterparts from the countries in the Great Lakes Region in Kigali later this year.