RWAMAGANA - Female students who were previously rewarded for their academic success by Imbuto Foundation, attended a workshop in Rwamagana district.

The Foundation is an initiative of the First Lady, Mrs Jeannette Kagame.
Over 100 female students in primary and secondary school who were rewarded between 2005-2008, under Imbuto Foundation’s Girls’ Education Campaign, attended the workshop.

Mrs. Radegonde Ndejuru, the Director General of the Imbuto Foundation, said the rewards have served their main objective, to keep girls excelling in schools.

"None of the students rewarded, dropped out of school…this serves our main purpose, which is to boost the girl-child education as a prerequisite to empowerment,” she said.

"We don’t only care for girls, but all children and the vulnerable. We are trying to push girls, because they were victims of societal stereotypes and prejudice”.

Princess Conscience Bwiza, an S.5 student at GS St. Aloys in Rwamagana, who was rewarded twice for her outstanding performance, said that the First Lady was a great motivation to her success.

"I feel I owe the First Lady something…which is why I always work hard and get the best marks in school. She has been my mentor and model. I just pray to God that I emulate her ways,” she said.

Aline Maniragena, a second-year student at Kigali Institute of Health (KHI), noted that with the guidance of Imbuto Foundation, a number of girls are doing well in schools and homes.

"The encouragement from the Foundation is enormous. I for instance, got all scholastic materials and a computer to facilitate my studies. This is not unique to me, but all girls. With such a push, the sky is the limit,” she said.

Every year, Imbuto Foundation rewards 461 girl students who perform well academically with a variety of scholastic materials. Over 2,000 students have so far benefited from the programme.

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