PHOTOS: Children win big at national inclusive writing competition

Driven by the passion to read other people’s stories, Assoumpta Umurerwa, a senior four student at the Rwamagana-based GS HVP Gatagara, a school for children with special needs, was motivated to succeed in dealing with the challenges people who are vision impaired face. She was determined to write a story on mental health in schools and compete in the annual national writing competition. ALSO READ: Govt urged to enforce implementation of special needs education policy On Saturday, June 3, her creativity, determination, and spirit were rewarded. Umurerwa was among 48 school children awarded from a pool of 1,414 copies submitted countrywide in the awarding ceremony of the second annual writing competition. Entries were from different categories of English, French, Kinyarwanda, and Sign Language. “Despite studying in a school for students living with disabilities, the first thing they teach us is to spark our abilities. I have always dreamt of the time when I would win a competition and I am so happy now. This is not the first time I have attended such a competition,” Umurerwa said, shortly after being awarded a new laptop and school bag. ALSO READ: Activists call for schools for children living with multiple disabilities The students came from lower and upper primary and high school. The winners were awarded with certificates, school bags, bicycles, smartphones, and laptops. The competition organized by Kigali Public Library and different partners aims to enhance reading and writing skills among Rwandan students while raising awareness about different issues in society. ALSO READ: Special needs education: Teachers weigh in on challenges The central theme of the 2023 competition was mental health. It was broken down to better suit various academic levels and ensure the inclusiveness of all learners. By participating in this competition, Rwandan school children get the opportunity to become published authors and promote inclusive reading and writing practices among their peers. The Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education, Gaspard Twagirayezu, said that they are confident that such competitions are critical in advancing the reading and writing culture in Rwanda. He said: “These are skills that help children in, not only the learning journey but also in their future professional life. We will continue to work with parents and communities to ensure that school-going children are given the necessary support.” He tasked the winners to not see their achievement as an end in itself but to continue being creative and improving on their skills. Ivy Nikki Aneze, a grade four student at Path to Success International School, a primary school in Kigali, scooped an award in the upper primary category for her French story. Her story was titled: “C’est que je peux quand mon ami est triste.” “I feel very happy and I will show it to everyone when I go back to school on Monday,” she said, smiling. According to Aneze, everyone should first be a reader to be able to write. Reading and writing are things she loved ever since she was young. The Deputy Chairperson of the Rwanda Union of the Blind, Jacques Mugisha, noted the importance of having such inclusive competitions where children living with disabilities are able to showcase their abilities. “The potential is there and what we need is platforms to unleash it. This is a testimony that the next generations will be in good hands,” he said. Umurerwa plans to create a YouTube channel to share her content as she continues to write stories, hence inspiring her colleagues to also get out of their comfort zones and do great things.

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PHOTOS: Children win big at national inclusive writing competition