I’m Louise Uwiringiyimana, a 24-year-old graduate who embarked on an inspiring journey with Generation Rise. Growing up as the fourth of six children in a rural area in Gahanga, Kicukiro District, I often struggled with shyness and self-doubt. After completing high school at G.S. Gahanga in 2019, I pursued a degree in Kiswahili and English with Education at the University of Rwanda. My story is one of growth, resilience, and gratitude, showcasing the life-changing impact of Generation Rise’s programs.

How Have You Managed to Overcome Challenges and Discover Your Confidence?

Before joining Generation Rise’s program, Her Voice Matters, I found it difficult to express myself. Fear of judgment kept me quiet, and self-doubt prevented me from sharing my opinions, even when I had something valuable to say. Daily challenges—from losing school materials to juggling studies with household chores—made school overwhelming, often leaving me discouraged.

But in 2018, everything began to change when I enrolled in the Her Voice Matters program. Through its lessons, I learned to overcome my fears and discovered my strength and capability. Generation Rise taught me the value of self-expression, collaboration, and courage, helping me realize that opportunities weren’t reserved for boys alone—girls like me could achieve their dreams too.

How Have You Found Support from Generation Rise to Embrace New Possibilities?

As I continued with Her Voice Matters, I began sharing my challenges, seeking solutions, and building self-confidence. By the time I passed my national exams, I was filled with hope. However, financial difficulties threatened my next steps as my family couldn’t afford the costs for me to accept the government scholarship I had earned.

With courage, I reached out to Generation Rise representatives, who provided the financial support I needed to register at the university. This support became a turning point in my life, enabling me to pursue higher education and igniting a newfound hope for my future. For me, Generation Rise became more than an organization—it was a family that believed in my potential and gave me the resources to achieve my dreams.

As a Fresh Graduate, What Are Your Next Steps?

Today, as a university graduate, I’m committed to working hard to achieve my future goals. I credit Generation Rise with shaping me into the person I am today—confident, hopeful, and ready to make a positive impact.

What Is Your Message to Current Beneficiaries?

Reflecting on my journey, I urge current Generation Rise beneficiaries to embrace every lesson, knowing that these experiences are the foundation of a promising future.

“Generation Rise isn’t just an organization; it’s a community that stands by you,” I share. “Through this family, you’ll learn to set your own goals and handle any challenges that come your way. I am forever grateful for their passion, support, and commitment to empowering girls like me.”

Call to Action

Louise’s story reminds us that with the right support, every girl has the power to overcome her fears, realize her potential, and inspire others to do the same. Generation Rise is honored to be part of her journey, and we are excited to see where her bright future will lead.

To create more impactful stories like Louise’s, we need your support. Together, we can bring positive changes to more lives. Get in touch with us at info@generationrise.org and visit our website at www.generationrise.org.

Empowering Girls through Education
A Path to a Brighter Future
At Generation Rise, we believe that education is the most powerful tool for empowering young women and transforming lives. When a girl gains access to quality education, her entire world changes—she can unlock new opportunities, build a foundation for economic independence, and become an agent of change in her community. This belief is the essence of our mission and the heart of our programs, including our flagship Be That Girl (BTG) Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships, mentorship, and life skills training to young women across Rwanda.

The State of Higher Education for Women in Rwanda
In Rwanda, significant strides have been made to promote gender equality in education. However, disparities still exist, particularly in higher education. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), as of 2022, women represented approximately 42% of students enrolled in tertiary education institutions. Despite this progress, challenges such as financial barriers, cultural expectations, and limited mentorship opportunities continue to hinder young women’s access to and completion of higher education.
Additionally, data shows that only 25% of female students who enroll in tertiary education graduate within the expected time frame, reflecting the need for continued efforts to address the systemic and personal challenges young women face in higher education.

The Transformative Power of Educating Girls
When girls are educated, the impact is not only immediate but also generational. Studies consistently show that girls who stay in school are more likely to delay marriage, avoid early pregnancies, and have healthier, better-educated children. An educated girl becomes an empowered woman, equipped with the skills to make informed decisions, pursue her ambitions, and contribute meaningfully to society.
In regions like Rwanda, where gender-based disparities in education still persist, empowering girls through education is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty and driving social change. By investing in education, we foster a generation of young women who are not only breaking barriers for themselves but also inspiring others in their communities.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the BTG Scholarship Program. This scholarship is more than just financial support; it’s a foundation for my dreams and goals, especially my aspiration to become a minister. With the mentorship, guidance, and resources provided by the Scholarship, strengthening my academic performance, and preparing to become an independent and accomplished leader. This program is truly empowering me to pursue my future with confidence and purpose.” Uwase Rosine 21 years BTG Scholar

How the BTG Scholarship Program Transforms Lives

The Be That Girl (BTG) Scholarship Program was established to directly address the unique challenges faced by young women from underprivileged backgrounds in Rwanda. For many young women, the barriers to higher education are significant—financial hardship, societal expectations, and lack of mentorship often stand in the way. BTG helps break down these barriers by providing the financial support, mentorship support, and life skills training these young women need to succeed.
Through this program, BTG recipients receive support that goes beyond tuition fees. They have access to a network of mentors who guide them in academic, personal, and professional development, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive. Our mentorship not only supports their academic growth but also builds their self-confidence and leadership skills, empowering them to become role models for other young women in their communities.

The young women, who had already been selected by the Government of Rwanda for university scholarships thanks to their academic excellence, will receive extra support from Be That Girl and Generation Rise to complete their university studies in Rwanda over the next 4 years.

The scholarship programme includes both financial support to cover costs such as accommodation and equipment, and a comprehensive mentoring programme that will help them develop skills such as foreign languages, I.T. skills, how to prepare a CV and apply for a job, how to navigate university life and much more..

The aim is to maximise the chances for these young women to complete their studies with merit and access leadership roles in Rwanda, becoming agents of change for a better future!

Growing up, there was often a higher value placed on educating boys
over girls, especially in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics (STEM) and decision-making. The devaluation of
educating girls in these fields is often due to the stereotypical narrative
that suggests a woman must only aspire towards a domestic role. Despite
these stereotypes, I was lucky to have parents who had more progressive
attitudes about gender roles, and believed that boys and girls should
be treated, and educated, equally. As such, my brothers and sisters
alike were sent to school and given equal support in our educations.

Every year, Rwanda remembers its tragic past. In 1994, the Hutu ethnic majority killed over one million Tutsi in only 100 days. One person was killed every minute of every day. Rwanda is still suffering from the consequences of genocide, but we are determined to rebuild a united and safe country for future generations. Our country has been unique in its ability to achieve reconciliation between survivors and perpetrators through our local legal system’s Gacaca trials and significant mobilization of grassroots organizations dedicated to our population’s emotional and economic recovery. However, those who lived through the genocide will eventually pass on too, leaving the current generation of youth in charge of our country’s pursuit of peace and unity. Since most of the country consists of youth who did not live through the genocide, it is critical that future generations continue learning about this important part of their history so the past may never be repeated. We at Generation Rise see it as our mandate to help Rwanda’s youth acquire the knowledge and skills to effectively lead our country’s positive development. It is our role to ensure that young people are aware of our history and feel empowered and capable to overcome the hatred and division that colors our recent past.

Generation Rise organizes annual commemoration events that provide a platform for Rwandans and expats to come together and share stories, ask questions, and understand this sensitive history. Dialogue with those who survived the genocide can be an important way to engage everyone in supporting Rwandans during commemoration and building a unified community. We recognize that genocide can occur anywhere in the world at any time. The strides we have made and challenges we have faced for the past two decades provide an excellent case study for scholars and advocates hoping to learn more about our country’s method of reconciliation, legal justice, and emotional recovery. We hope our events can connect the global community with Rwandan youth, survivors, perpetrators, humanitarians, and legal experts in one constructive space to discuss the evolution and prevention of future genocides everywhere.