Determination was the secret to top grades

“I always never stopped dreaming that one time I would become a successful and valuable person in society. I passed through many hardships that I sometimes wanted to make a short cut,” narrates Rehema Uwamahoro, one of the best female students who graduated from Umutara Polytechnic with a first class honours degree. Uwamahoro is one of the best students who graduated with a ‘first class’ honours in the faculty of commerce and applied economics specializing in accounting. With excitement, Uwamahoro ,25, says: “Just a few days towards graduation day, I heard from my senior lecturers that I was the overall best student in the 2010 promotion in the faculty. Despite many efforts I put in during my University life, this honour emerged as a thunderbolt from a clear sky! “I thank God who made me who I am today and more importantly my beloved parents who raised me and tirelessly worked hard to ensure that I stand where I am. I also want to thank the government of Rwanda for the support extended to me throughout my studies.” According to her, the graduation day will remain a memorable day in her life: “This day is so special to me. It is such a memorable day in my life. It is a day that will even inspire my children in future,” says Uwamahoro, a fifth born in a family of seven. Despite her outstanding performance at the University, her education journey was not as easy as that of Children from well-off families. Having grown up in exile in neighbouring Uganda, Uwamahoro’s primary school was at first a night mare. “My primary education was terrible due to the fact that my parents were living a refugee life in Uganda. However, they always encouraged us, right from childhood that education is life given the fact that one of my parents was a semi-skilled midwife, she could always discuss with us about potentials of being educated,” she says. Just like other Rwandan Children who were born in exile, Uwamahoro went to St. Aloysius Primary School in Mbarara District in 1993, before returning to her motherland with her parents in 1995. “When we returned to Rwanda, I struggled to cope with the French teaching style. It was not easy with my English background but I later adapted to the system,” she says. One of the factors that paved her way to success at the University was the spirit of competition in class during her secondary life. “From primary school, I joined Kigali International Academy (currently Kagarama secondary school). I joined bright students from different walks of life…and all I decided was to adopt stiff competition. I always hated it when three or four students came ahead of me in class. This made me read days and nights and it worked out,” says Uwamahoro, who is currently employed at her Alma matter as a tutorial assistant. Uwamahoro’s academic dream is still wide. Apart from eying to earn the same first class masters degree in Business Administration (MBA), she also wants to see herself excel in the world of academia. “First of all I want to work hard and earn the same high class masters degree. From there my first plan is to set up an accounting firm and become a role model entrepreneur. I love my country so much and I want to contribute to my country’s development in one way or another. I also dream of becoming a professional accountant in the near future,” she says. Uwamahoro’s message to fellow youths is to work hard and set goals in life: “The only way to success is to have determination and commitment to achieve anything. I encourage all the people especially students to never lose hope but instead be focused and above all co-operate.” Dan.ngabonziza@newtimes.co.rw