Heavy downpour and a windstorm that hit Cyobe Primary School in Ruhango District on October 2 did not deter nine pupils to protect the national flag of Rwanda from falling down. Rooftops some of the classrooms were ripped off and the school’s structure was damaged.

Despite the harsh weather condition, nine pupils at the school bravely stepped forward to protect the flag, an act that has since been described as patriotic.

VIDEO: How schoolchildren saved Rwanda national flag amid heavy downpour

The pupils—Erneste Gisubizo, Theobald Difitimana, Josiane Akimanimpaye, Nepomucsene Irasubiza, James Maniraguha, Patrick Mugisha, Obed Mugisha, Abraham Ejoheza and Bruce Mugabo, all aged between 10 and 13—are in their fourth year of primary school.

When the storm began, one student noticed the strong winds bending the flagpole, which was at risk of falling to the ground. The children left their shelter and ran out into the heavy downpour to hold onto the flagpole, and surviving the flying iron sheet that had been ripped off the nearby rooftop.

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In a video filmed a YouTuber and shared across social media platforms, one of the pupils recounted the moment they decided to act.

"That day, there was heavy rain and a windstorm, and the national flag was nearly blown away by strong winds. One of our colleagues noticed it before the rest of us and quickly rushed to keep it from falling. We immediately joined him to help secure it,” Difitimana explained.

"The rain continued, and we could see roof sheets of nearby classrooms being ripped off by the wind. Despite our fear, our colleague carefully lowered the flag, preventing it from being blown away. He told us, ‘We can’t let our flag fall while I’m here,” he added.

This act, the young boy said, was largely inspired by the lessons they receive at school. Their teachers frequently emphasize the importance of civic engagement, and respecting national symbols.

"Our teachers always remind us that the national flag is a powerful symbol. If it falls, it’s as if the country has fallen, and the nation’s hope is diminished,” Difitimana said.

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Cyobe Primary School was built in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the national flag had been hoisted for the first time recently.

Aaron Mugirwanake, the headteacher at Cyobe Secondary School, said that the students’ dedication reflects the values instilled in them by the school.

According to Mugirwanake, the students are taught about the importance of national symbols, including the flag, and how to protect them. These teachings, he believes, played a major role in shaping the students’ patriotic response during the downpour.

On October 7, the Rwanda National Police, in partnership with Ruhango District officials, honored these nine students from Cyobe Secondary School for their bravery, a gesture to recognize this heroic act and show them that it did not go unnoticed.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Teddy Ruyenzi, the commissioner in charge of community policing at RNP commended the schoolchildren for their courage and patriotism, recognizing that they risked their lives to protect a symbol of national importance.