On February 1, every year, Rwanda observes Heroes’ Day. This year makes it the 26th time that the Hero’s Day is celebrated. This year, the Day was preceded by a series of activities during what was called Heroes’ Week, which included public discussions on heroism, radio and television talks-shows about heroic values and sports competitions themed around heroism.

Rwanda’s heroes are categorised as Imanzi, Imena or Ingenzi. Currently, we only have heroes in Imanzi and Imena categories and no one has so far been recognised under the Ingenzi category.

Many years after the recognised heroes commited to making Rwanda a better country, how has perspective on heroism evolved? To find out, Saturday Times’ Ange Iliza spoke to young people.

Vanessa Abe, 24, International Relations student

I think what makes someone a hero is their ability to help others despite the possibility of putting their lives in danger. My hero is Anne Heyman, founder of Agahozo-Shallom Youth Village.

She is the first person who unveiled the world of giving without expecting anything in return. She introduced me to the notion of "pay it forward” and making the world a little bit better not only for me but for those around me.

Karemera Dean, Communications and Public Relations practitioner

The first thing that I think makes someone a hero in my opinion is great capabilities to face adversity. The second is having the will to commit personal sacrifice that most people wouldn’t easily commit to or even be brave enough to do. Lastly, being selflessly. Heroes are not motivated by their own interest.

My heroes are my parents. My father for being so selfless that he gave his life so that, not only his family can return home but also a nation can raise again.

And my mother how she has handled the pressure to be both a father and a mother is something I can’t even begin to comprehend.

Her ability to make ends meet regardless limited resources and sometimes difficult circumstances underlines the term, "not all heroes wear caps.”

Lilianne Iyandemye, 22, Law student

To me a hero is someone who can do what others failed to do because it is too risky. A hero does things selflessly even if they do not get a pay back.

My hero is my mother not just because she raised me and my siblings single handedly, but because she stood out when it was dangerous, returned to her home country regardless of the fact that women were still considered unable to do some things. I generally find single parents heroes.

Kaissy Nganji, 25, Realtor

My biggest heroes are not people that did things that affected me personally but rather those who changed their societies and made sacrifices for them. I’ll say a hero is someone who gives up all to people they may not know or even expect returns from.

My heroes are President Paul Kagame and Emperor Haile Selassie (of Ethiopia). They sacrificed a lot to get their people and countries out of dire situations and thereafter both used their positions well to still serve their people and not themselves as most would do.

Angelle Mutoni, 27, Artist

To me a hero does things to benefit others even if it is too risky. My hero is my father. He chose to leave his family behind and fight for his nation knowing that he could even lose his life. He could have chosen other paths but he did not, to me that is heroism.

Vanessa Abanjye, 21, Managing director of Kigalimart

A hero to me is someone who is selfless. They take risks for others. They bring the best out of others and can sacrifice what they can, not for their own but for others.

My own hero is my mother. I am always grateful of what she sacrificed for me to become who I am today. She has always been by my side and, whatever I do, I never want to disappoint her. She is very selfless.

Eric Niyitanga, 21, Medical student

To me, a hero is someone who inspire others to do better. They put behind their ego and interests and try to make their communities better. My hero is Nelson Mandela. I hardly imagine how he spent more years than my age in prison and still comes out with kindness and forgiveness. The world would be a better place if we had many of those selfless heroes.