Marie Ange Pascale Bukize’s dream is to turn children, especially those in rural areas, into avid readers.

For this reason, she set up two libraries; Malayika community centre located in Gakenke district and Akitabu, based in Nyamasheke district- this sells books to grown-ups. 

The centre is primarily designed for kids where they can easily access books and read them for free. 

"Every day, we receive not less than 37 children who we facilitate in studies, teach English and writing.”

She says she decided to focus on rural areas where kids and parents can barely afford books.

"Cities have so many amenities and infrastructure which by default, give a huge advantage to children who live in them. I wanted to give those in rural areas the same benefit and make them feel included,” she adds.

Extending the culture

Growing up, Bukize recalls that as a family, they didn’t have much. Her mother, a teacher, did all she could nonetheless to introduce them to books. 

"My first one was Larousse. We used to read it daily and report after dinner what we’ve learned. Books had a huge impact on me in high school and exposed me to tons of diverse knowledge and opportunities. 

In her O ‘level, she remembers reading a lot of history, geography among other topics. "I am not sure how I stumbled on ‘Think big- by Dr Ben Carson,’ by this time I was in my senior three and that book changed my life.”

Think big is for anyone with no dreams at all or still figuring out what to do with their life, says Bukize.

"Your life is big-far bigger than you’ve imagined. Inside it lies the keys to recognising the full potential of your life. When you read it, it opens your eyes on how to attain a life that is rewarding, significant, and more fruitful than you ever thought possible. The author of this book knows about hardship. Ben Carson grew up in inner-city Detroit. His mother was illiterate, his father had left the family. His grade-school classmates considered Ben stupid. He struggled with a violent temper. In every respect, Ben’s harsh circumstances seemed only to point to a harsher future and a bad end. But that’s not what happened. Ben rose from his tough life to one of amazing accomplishment. He learned that he had potential, and how to unleash it, and he did,” she reflects.

Thinking of how this story encouraged her to achieve the impossible, Bukize believes it should be a basic necessity for everyone, mostly kids, to have access to books. 

"Given the quality of education we receive, books could bring a big balance, fill the gap, spark curiosity in kids and take them places enabling them to dream big. In Dr Seuss’ words (American children’s author) ‘The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

For her, reading will always be a pertinent aspect, that’s why she hopes that books are made accessible to everyone and at least have a community library in every Rwandan district.

She hence hopes that every kid gets to read a book in their lifetime, this is why her goal is to open a new library per year.

Her plans include expanding this project in rural areas, "Our focus will still be outside of Kigali. I pray that God keeps providing and bringing people willing to support the cause.”