Jasmine Kabandana, a 26-year-old economics graduate from Belgium who wants to do more, know more, and be more for her country, is one of the more than 60 youths from the diaspora who are in the country to attend the third session of the Rwanda Youth Tour set to start on Monday, July 10.

The two-week tour aims to enable Rwandan youth in the diaspora learn about the history and vision of the country, re-connect with their homeland, discover the opportunities it offers, and learn more about its journey over the past years through visits and panel discussions with various actors.

Kabandana and her friends started the Rwanda Youth Tour initiative in July 2021.

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During the latest event, youths living abroad will tour different parts of Rwanda, learning its history and culture. They will visit every Province. They will do the liberation trail in Nyagatare and Gicumbi, visit the King&039;s palace in Nyanza, Akagera National Park, Musanze caves and Lake Kivu, among others. They will meet senior Rwanda National Police officials, visit Kigali Genocide Memorial, and meet RDB officials to learn about the opportunities in Rwanda.

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Kabandana who has lived in Belgium ever since she was four participated in Itorero Indagamirwa 2016 "and this was a wake-up call for me."

She realised that "I actually did not know much" about her country’s culture, history, vision and opportunities.

"It sparked interest in me to do more, know more and be more for my country. Unfortunately, many young Rwandans who grew up abroad are in a situation where their parents do not transmit Rwandan values and culture to their kids. There are obviously many reasons why this is the case, although the fact is that it creates a distance between the youth from abroad and their motherland," she told The New Times on Saturday, July 8.

"After my three weeks in Itorero, I decided to do something to bridge that gap for me but also for other young Rwandans. My sister, Jessica Kabandana, and my friend, Kennedy Bizimana, got me involved in organising afterwork events where Rwandan youth in Belgium can network and share their professional journey. When we realised how successful the event became, Kennedy contacted me and other young Rwandans to become an official team and organise other events."

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This is how they became the "Rwanda Youth Club Belgium” and then came up with the "Rwanda Youth Tour” as they noticed a strong demand from Rwandan youth to feel closer to their home country.

The first edition of Rwanda Youth Tour took place in July 2021. She was a bit sceptical at first because of the Covid-19 pandemic. But, thankfully, despite the challenges, they still managed to bring 55 young Rwandans from Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States and other countries, to Rwanda.

In July 2022, they came with 102 participants still representing different countries around the world.

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"Over the two past editions, some of them found an internship or job in Kigali and some applied for a Rwandan ID. However, the best part to me is to see them developing true friendships after the tour and most importantly, to see them being more involved in the Rwandan community abroad just like I did after Itorero," she said.

Organising the tour, she admitted, is not easy as it takes a lot of time and effort as it implies foregoing part of their professional and personal life, "but when I look at the results, it makes me very proud."

"I am also very thankful to have the support of many Rwandan private and public institutions, mainly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Youth."

Asked if she ever plans to come home and settle, she said, "definitely!"

"I still have to plan when and how, as I understood from many people who came back home that it will be a challenge in the beginning, but I know for a fact that I want to be part of Rwanda’s development in a way that fits my passions and goals in life. I believe organising the Rwanda Youth Tour is my first step in that direction."

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For now, Kabandana is "very much looking forward to" the third Rwanda Youth Tour and, as the organiser, is looking forward to learning alot.

"This year, we have 65 participants representing 13 different countries. The majority had never come to Rwanda or last visited more than five years ago. I can’t wait for them to learn more about Rwanda and to see them fall in love with their motherland. I am excited to see new friendships, but most importantly I hope to see them more involved in the Rwandan community when they go back to their respective country," she said.

"I hope they will be inspired enough to start dreaming and planning to be part of Rwanda’s development. I hope they will represent Rwanda and its strong resilience and vision wherever they are and whatever they do. I simply hope the tour will be a beautiful key moment in their life journey."

Jasmine&039;s colleague and age mate, Sandra Kabandana, a legal advisor at an insurance company in Belgium, knew about the initiative right from the beginning but had not yet got the chance to participate. The young women are not related even though they share similar names.

Sandra said: "About a year ago I was asked to be a part of the Rwanda Youth Club. As I was already in a committee aiming to better the Rwandan youth and educate them on our story, the proposition felt very fitting."

Just like Jasmine, Sandra has been coming back to Rwanda ever since she was a child. Her mother always made an effort "to educate us on our story and to make us feel proud to be Rwandan."

"Growing up, there were a lot more initiatives and events aimed at teaching us, as kids, what our culture and history was. But as we got older, those initiatives (e.g: Mpore camp) fully stopped," she said.

"But I think we still need to create opportunities like those for the youth. When you live outside of your country, it’s easier to lose yourself in a new culture and forget to give time to your roots. Rwanda YouTour gives a fair opportunity for every youth from the diaspora to take the time to know their country, their culture and all while having fun and seeing the beauty of our country."