Anitha Ingabire’s hardships started when her father deserted her and her teenage mother, forcing them to confront life’s challenges with meagre means in Kivumu sector in Rutsiro District, Western Province.
"Despite the challenges my mother encountered, she was able to take me to school. I went to Buganamana Primary School. While there, I poured myself into my studies to the extent that I would use the moonlight at night since our area was off-the-grid at the time,” the now 25-year-old mother-of-one, said.
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"I seized every opportunity with determination and worked hard for a better future since my mother and I had been abandoned. She was depressed, hopeless and desperate. Despite that, I performed well and later enrolled at G.S Kivumu to further my studies.
"During Senior Three in 2014, the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Rwanda visited our school in search of high-performing students with marks exceeding 70 per cent. Only one other student and I were selected to fill out the form.
"I filled the form without knowing what would follow, but I had the support of the school director who consistently encouraged me, that I was brilliant and would succeed.”
A few months later, they sat for the national exams, and she excelled, securing the top spot in the whole district.
"While it was a moment of pride, it also felt like a nightmare as I couldn’t believe it. The school director congratulated me, but deep down, I was scared about how I would continue my education, especially since my mother had no support from my father.
"When filling out the candidates’ form, my mother advised me to choose a nearby school so that I could easily walk there if transport became an issue. Following her advice, I selected College Indangaburezi in Rubavu, and luckily, I was accepted to study Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry (PCM) there for high school.
After only a few days at school, her mother received a call from FAWE instructing her to go with Ingabire to Kigali. "They congratulated me on being selected as one of the top-performing students and granted me a scholarship to study at Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare (GSOB) Indatwa n’inkesha, a school partnered with FAWE.”
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A foreign language that set things in motion
At GSOB, she used every opportunity, including learning Chinese, "which I believed would change my life. So, I committed to learning it diligently and purposefully.”
During a holiday in Senior Four, she discovered a road construction project in Rubavu overseen by a Chinese individual. She applied for a hard hat job at the site and also worked as a translator, helping the supervisor communicate with the local workers.
"This experience eased my life somehow, enabling me to return to school with adequate scholastic materials. I continued these gigs until completing high school,” she said.
During Senior Five, Confucius Institutes (CIs) — non-profit educational institutions funded by the Chinese government aimed at promoting the Chinese language and culture—organised a debate in schools, in which she participated.
Ingabire emerged victorious and earned the chance to represent Rwanda in a prestigious international debate in China, combining participants from over 60 countries globally.
"Although I didn’t win, I demonstrated my intellect and determination on that platform. This experience opened doors to further opportunities, leading to another scholarship to study architecture at Chongqing University.
"Life was good at the campus, receiving a monthly stipend and other necessary support until I finished my Bachelor’s degree in 2020.”
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The woman who "wears many hats”
Upon return from China, she seized every opportunity that came her way, from translation to tailoring, interior design to real estate, and even tourism. "I haven’t lived without a job since I am a multifaceted woman.”
"After acquiring some capital, I decided to go into self-employment. Whenever someone wanted to employ me, I informed them that it would only be for a short time so that I could have spare time to work on my own projects.
"That’s when I started buying and selling plots. Gradually, things improved, and I had the chance to learn additional skills such as hairstyling, and taking short courses in tourism, and more.”
Ingabire encourages girls to be creative and find as many ways to employ themselves as possible.
"Like I said, I am a multifaceted woman, I can do hair and more. You don’t have to run out of funds when you have both arms. You can do anything to survive,” she added.
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Gratitude
"Firstly, I extend my gratitude to my dear mother and any woman with a similar history. She supported me in small and big ways, sacrificing everything for me. I’ll forever cherish her support and hold it with great respect.”
"To anyone going through a tough situation, understand that it’s your time to rewrite your life story. Never consider escaping through substance abuse like drug use; it’s not a solution but a sign of surrender.”
Ingabire’s inspiring journey is a sign of triumph over adversity. The completion of her beautiful house in Kigali sends the message that perseverance can indeed conquer obstacles. She currently works as an architectural engineer and real estate agent.