2023 annual report
Educate a girl. Inspire a community. Transform a nation.
Our values
EXCELLENCE
We demonstrate an unwavering commitment to intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, excellence, persistence and outstanding achievement.
LEADERSHIP
We embody authentic leadership. We are honest, respectful, humble, responsible, empathetic and equitable.
COMMUNITY
We positively contribute and support our society through sisterhood and selfless service.
Mission
To educate and empower girls of Rwanda to reach their highest potential.
A Message from Co-Founder and Board President, Suzanne Sinegal McGill
It is hard to believe that 2023 marked our tenth graduation! Since the opening of Gashora Girls Academy in 2011, we have celebrated 881 graduates and witnessed the remarkable achievements of our alumnae, who have secured over $91M in scholarships and enrolled in 221 universities in 33 countries. An astounding 95% of our graduates have pursued higher education—an extraordinary feat, particularly considering that in Rwanda and throughout East Africa, the proportion of women graduating from post-secondary education remains below 3%.
We are thrilled to report that over 490 of our alumnae have graduated from universities worldwide. Many of these ambitious young women have returned to Rwanda to launch their careers while their fellow Gashora sisters are pursuing advanced degrees and careers around the globe.
At the end of September, GGAST began its 13th academic year, and we cannot wait to see what this next class of students will achieve. The school continues to serve as a catalyst for positive change in the lives of our students, their families, and their communities.
None of these accomplishments of our students and alumnae would be possible without YOU. Your support is critical to the success of this program. Your support is making a difference in the lives of the students at Gashora Girls Academy and helping them become the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.
Our heartfelt wish is for you to be filled with inspiration and optimism, not just for the remarkable young women of Rwanda but for our world that is yearning for the contributions of brilliant youth willing to tackle the global challenges we face. Through the unwavering strength and resilience of our students, alumnae, and staff, along with your steadfast support, our students can pursue their dreams and contribute to making the world a better place.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Suzanne Sinegal McGill, Co-Founder and Board President
A Message from Head of School, Atete Rugege
I am honored to be the Head of School for Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology, a home where girls are passionate about getting an education to transform themselves, their families, and their country. It has been a humbling experience to see the number of girls who want to join Gashora Girls Academy steadily grow each year. This year, we received over 775 applications for ninety-five spots. These numbers tell us that girls are determined to pursue careers in STEM and that a place at Gashora Girls Academy is highly sought after.
“Why Gashora?” For most students who apply, it is an opportunity to get an exceptional education that will completely change the trajectory of their lives. For others, it is the activities and programs we provide outside the classroom that allow them to find themselves, be themselves, and challenge themselves. And for a few, it is the unsubstantiated rumor that we do nothing but have fun and don’t punish anyone for not adhering to the rules. All rumors, I assure you!
But for all of them, it is the Gashora Girls Academy that is:
1. Gashora the nurturer, nurturing girls as they come into our campus, shy and anxious to be the Gashora Girls they’ve met, seen, and heard of!
2. Gashora, the leader, a place that has a culture of excellence. Always working to ensure that we remain relevant in the programming we offer our amazing students. So that we position them well for the world that awaits them.
3. Gashora, the safe haven, a place that isn’t just a school where you gain knowledge and the critical skills needed for a tech-based future, but also a place that feels like a home where you are loved, heard and encouraged as they and we strive to unlock their full potential.
4. Gashora, the life of the party! What is life if you can’t celebrate the big and small wins along the way? And boy, do we celebrate each other. From birthdays to acing an exam. From winning a match to successfully presenting your first presentation in front of your class. Presenting afraid but doing it anyway. From writing your first poem to developing and coding amazing solutions to real-life problems in our communities. From braiding your sister’s hair in beautiful intricate braids to creating wonderful pieces of Art.
Gashora Girls Academy is where “unlocking her potential” is woven into all aspects of learning and growing the whole girl. We at Gashora have the pleasure of watching our students blossom from a gem in the rough into incredible young women.
But the work we do is not just important to young women but to Rwanda as a country. Today, Rwanda has a population of 14.2 million people. 78% of them are under the age of 35, with a median age of 19 years. Africa is the youngest and fastest-growing continent in the world. Mastercard Foundation notes that by 2030, the number of young people in the African Labor force will increase to 375 million. According to the International Monetary Fund, population growth on the continent means that by 2035, more young Africans will be entering the workforce each year than in the rest of the world combined, creating a highly competitive environment. This reality further demonstrates the importance of quality education, especially for girls. When girls are educated they become agents of positive change in their communities.
Let me end by thanking each of you for your continued support. We can only achieve what we do because of your generosity and commitment to girls' education. Because of you, we have provided access to a great education for some of the most deserving young women. Because of you, a seed has been planted in every girl who has walked through the gates of Gashora Girls Academy, a seed of hope, a seed of determination, a seed of resilience, a seed of innovation, a seed of brilliance that we water and nurture, unlocking her potential. The fruits of those seeds you planted are now actively shaping our world.
With gratitude,
Atete Rugege
IMPACT
Our alumnae have diverse backgrounds and interests, but the one thing they have in common is the drive to make a difference in this world.
“Gashora surrounded me with a strong sense of support and a safe and nurturing environment where girls are encouraged to take risks and express themselves freely. This platform allows young girls to grow academically and personally and to become the best versions of themselves. ”
Meet our alumnae
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Alodie Iradukunda
Gashora Girls Academy 2013
Trinity College, Computer Science
National Youth Council, 2022
Parliamentarian, East African Legislative Assembly
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Peace Ndoli Iraguha
Gashora Girls Academy 2015
University of Rwanda, Health ad Dietetics
University of Global Heath Equity, MS
Co-Founder: Lifesten Health
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Aline Utuje
Gashora Girls Academy 2015
Ashesi University, Mechanial Engineering
Arizona State University, MS
Product & Partnership Manager, LifeSten
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Ines Kevine
Gashora Girls Academy 2023
Middlebury College, Computer Science ‘28
class of 2023
93 New Gashora Girls Academy Graduates
With National Exam scores posted in December of 2023, most of our students’ international and local college admission acceptances arrive in 2024 after exam results.
The following is a sample of college admissions accepted from the Class of 2023:
Amherst College, Centrale Nantes and Audencia Business, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Davidson College, Middlebury College, Northwestern Qatar, Northwestern US, NYU Abu Dhabi, Pomona College, Seattle University, Smith College, Tufts College, UPENN Engineering, UPenn Nursing, Washington & Lee, Wellesley College, Williams College
Congratulations
To the 72 students who graduated with their undergraduate degrees
and the 19 with a master’s or doctorate degree in 2023!
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Marie de Dieu, or Mado, was part of the inaugural graduating class of Gashora Girls Academy in 2013. She received her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition from the University of Rwanda. She held several post-graduation jobs, including serving as our School Nutritionist for two years at Gashora. She was accepted in 2021 as a Mastercard scholarship recipient and just graduated with her Master’s of Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley. She is currently working as a program analyst for the Global Reproductive Health at the Packard Foundation.
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Mika, a Mastercard Foundation scholar, graduated last year from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana with her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). After graduating, she returned to Rwanda, working with a healthcare consulting company based in Senegal while also studying leadership development at Harvard Business School under the Aspire Institute.
She is looking forward to gaining more opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry to contribute to developing sustainable healthcare systems and quality healthcare across the nation.
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Josine from the Gashora class of 2014 received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State and this year graduated with her MBA in Supply Chain Management from North Carolina State. She is now working as a supply chain analyst in Boston.
staff highlights
Samiah Millycent, Dean of Students
We are thrilled that Samiah joined us in 2022 as the Dean of Students. Her job is significant, and Samiah is the star we need to help guide and develop the Gashora Girls, our future young leaders. Her role entails coordinating the Whole Girl program, which is geared toward opportunities for growth beyond academics. The Whole Girl education secures the future of young women by implementing programs aimed at imparting life skills targeting the development of vital competencies.
“Equity has helped build the sisterhood culture at Gashora, where our differences become a rich ingredient for a vibrant community.” -Samiah
Nshimiryayo Anastase, Math Teacher, Club Leader
Teacher Anastase is the teacher whose name comes up repeatedly with the Gashora Alumnae. He is known for his humor and laughter but primarily for caring about his students, going above and beyond each day, and making math fun and relatable. He was also selected as one of the 2022-2023 Microsoft Innovative Education Experts.
“Gashora is full of opportunities for students and teachers, but what I love the most about Gashora is how teachers and students interact in the classes. In most schools, students fear their teachers; if a student has a question, they don't feel free to ask. But here at GGAST, students and teachers meet in the classrooms, sports and clubs, extracurricular activities, and in the same dining hall. Students and all staff members take breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the same place, which makes Gashora unique, and it is very rare to find this in other schools.”
- Anastase
Cleo Ingabire, Director of University Counseling and Placement
Cleo, also a Gashora Girls Academy alumna, works tirelessly with the students, helping them find the next steps beyond high school. She also is constantly forging connections with universities around the globe. We are proud that Cleo and Gashora Girls Academy won the School of the Year award for transformative counseling in Africa. She was nominated for the Emerging Counselor of the Year at the IC3 conference. You can read an interview from 2022 with Cleo below.
Excellence.
We proudly announce that the Ministry of Education named Gashora Girls Academy the TOP-PERFORMING secondary school for general education in the last five years. (2018-2023)
highlights and accomplishments
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East African Community (EAC) Essay Competition Winner
It was an incredible honor for GGAST student Sonia to be awarded the essay competition winner by the 23rd Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State in Tanzania. She is pictured here with the President of Tanzania, Samia Sulahu Hassan, and Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente.
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The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
Rwanda chose a team of 12 students, selected out of 100,000 from across Rwanda to represent the country in the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad. Gashora Girls Academy had 3 girls competing!
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Lego League
The Gashora Girls competed in the first Lego League competition, a robotics competition for students to compete in designing, building, and programming a robot. We took 3rd position in the Core Values section. In addition, the MC of the event was a Gashora alumna from the Class of 2017! The video above features one of our students who competed in the event. Watch the Video featuring our Gashora Girls HERE.
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National Exam Scores
Unsurprisingly, 100% of the Gashora Girls passed the national exam in July of 2023. 33 of the 93 students received perfect scores.
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18th International Standards Olympiad in South Korea
One of our students, Monia, was recognized for her achievements and represented Rwanda in the Standards competition in Korea in August of 2023. The International Standards Olympiad tests not only the knowledge of standardization from a theoretical perspective but also integrates creativity, scientific knowledge, and technology, creating a dynamic, exciting opportunity for the participants to explore the world of standardization.
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11 Students accepted Early Decision
It all began in August when GGAST hosted its annual Early Decision camp, wherestudents spend two weeks preparing for Early Decision applications. With the support of two alumnae and a GGAST teacher, students drafted their personal essays and implemented essay workshops. Schools, where students were admitted are: Amherst College, Brown University, Columbia College, Davidson College, Northwestern University, Smith College, Tufts College, University of Ottawa, University of Notre Dame, UPenn, and Vassar College. Another 12 students were deferred.
Whole Girl
The Whole Girl curriculum and program aims to prepare and equip students with the hard and soft skills to live fulfilling and successful lives, constructively contributing to their communities, and become leaders in their fields.
This LIfe Skills Training and Exposure includes but is not limited to: -Student Clubs & Sports - Community Service and Engagement - Career Mentorship - Expert-led Training and Workshops - Social and Emotional Learning - Decision-Making Skills - Public Speaking - Diversity Awareness - Cultural Heritage.
“At Gashora, there is a holistic approach to education. You can explore who you are outside of the classroom and how that feeds into who you want to be in the future. You can think big for yourself, which allows you to believe that you will achieve your dreams. I am thankful for the vast network of girls to look up to, be inspired by, and turn to. Gashora enables students to become diverse people, world citizens, and free-thinkers. ”
Leadership.
I can't fully articulate how vital GGAST was in my path. As a woman in the STEM field, GGAST empowered me to be confident in any room I walked into. Being active in extracurriculars such as debate and Girl Up gave me leadership and communication skills that played a significant role in securing jobs and getting into a top institution like UC Berkeley." -Linda Mutesi, GGAST 2017
Global Citizenship Grant Recipient
Every week, groups of students from two continents met to work on a global citizenship project. The project addressed the issues of teen pregnancy and reproductive health, specifically in a community in eastern Rwanda. Together, the students developed informative and accessible booklets covering various topics, including medical resources, illustrations, stories from young women, and news about women’s health. The books were translated into Kinyarwanda and French. The Gashora students also visited a women’s center where they met with 15 single mothers who shared their stories. Melissa was one of the participants who presented as a speaker at the International Coalition of Girls Schools conference. While in attendance Gashora Girls Academy was named the award winner and recipient of the Moulton Student Global Citizenship grant.
Prefects
The Gashora Girls Academy prefectorial elections occur in the third term to serve the following school year. There are 8 departments, with two students serving in each department, one as the Head Prefect and one as the Deputy Prefect. The departments are Entertainment & Club, Environment, Sports, Academics, Dormitory, Welfare, Information, and Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl.
Debate: Certa Foundation
Gashora Girls Academy hosted the Certa Foundation as they facilitated a platform for teenage girls to participate in an educational and informative debate on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). The event was a significant step towards promoting awareness and understanding of SRHR issues among young women, and the debate was an incredible opportunity to build leadership and communication skills.
Alumnae Mentorship Workshops
The senior students had an opportunity to meet Gashora alumnae every week for a series where they discussed various topical issues, including career goals, internships, college survival tips, financial literacy, study habits, academic and career readiness, communication, adapting to a new environment, among others. The series worked to prepare students as they transition to college and work.
Interact Club Launch
The Rotaract Club of Rwanda launched the Interact Club on the Gashora Girls Academy campus in 2023. The club’s objective is to focus on imparting leadership skills among young people as they build active networks of fellow young leaders across the globe. A total of 71 students signed up for the club mentorship.
LEAP Rwanda
Several of our students represented the school at LEAP Rwanda camp. Together with students across the country, they were immersed in practical activities to develop and enhance their entrepreneurial leadership skills while connecting with potential employers. The girls also had the opportunity to meet female business leaders for mentorship. The camp ended with a business pitch before a team of investors.
iLead
Gashora Girls continue to participate in iLead as one of 12 schools the Ministry of Education officially chose to launch the program in Rwanda. iLead provides three years of value-based youth leadership development, teaching students to explore values, take ownership of their choices, and practice leadership values and skills.
Lenora Biche: Authentic Confidence
Gashora had the pleasure of hosting Miss Lenora Biche, who spoke to the students on authentic confidence on International Women’s Day. Her ability to engage with students and pass critical knowledge on establishing personal confidence based on values, passion, and consistent introspection was immeasurable.
Leadership Circles
Leadership Circles are an integral component of the leadership development at Gashora Girls Academy and are preparatory programs for students who intend to vie for prefectural roles. The circles also continue during students' prefectorial tenure to strengthen their ability to deliver on their mandate while developing critical leadership skills such as decision-making, teamwork, balancing academics, and building legacies. A few topics include: Identifying a personal vision, Aligning personal and GGAST visions, thriving through productive synergies, and leaving a leadership legacy.
Community.
Sisterhood
"GGAST was ahead of its time, fostering the beauty of diversity, the importance of tolerance, and the power of women. Additionally, true sisterhood - the most essential. I'm still friends with the girls I met at GGAST, and this is very precious to me.”
Annick La Reine, GGAST Class of 2014
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In September, the entire student body came together to welcome the new cohort of students as their young sisters. Junior and senior students walked together to receive a new “daughter” into their family group at Gashora. All the students were reminded of the value of sisterhood at GGAST, where the intention is to create an active network of sisters who consciously look towards forming a lasting commitment to each other and strive for collective growth at Gashora and beyond.
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Both staff and students break away from the usual school routine to bond with each other over several activities, including dodgeball, blind pick, tug of war, and relays. The activities are aimed at reinforcing our sense of community and, at the same time, fostering collaboration, communication, strategy, and leadership skills in a fun and engaging manner.
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This November brought together students and staff for various games that enhanced strategy, critical thinking, communication, coordination, and teamwork skills. Students were able to engage in as many games as possible and learn new skills as they showcased their talents in the various games available that evening.
"This environment fostered my personal growth, giving me a better understanding of myself, and I became more self-assured. One of the most significant benefits was learning from my peers, who taught me the importance of sisterhood, looking out for and empowering one another to reach our full potential. I also learned how to be a supportive community member and help others grow, which has proven to be an invaluable skill throughout my life. I cherish the memories and lessons learned from that time and am thankful for the friends I still have today.” Peace Ndoli Iraguha, GGAST 2015
community engagment
“I participated in the community service club which instilled in me the importance of giving back to the community. Wherever I am, I look for opportunities to give back.” -
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Community service is an integral part of life at Gashora, with the average student spending a minimum of four hours a month giving back, including tutoring at local schools.
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As the country launched the annual tree planting exercise in the Gashora Sector, the Agrivelo and Patriots club represented the school and joined forces with the local community and members of the diplomatic corps to mark the day. The students planted 100 seedlings, commemorating the day the community was encouraged to take ownership in the restoration of the landscape for long-term environmental impact and sustainability.
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The Dear Doctor Rwanda (DDR) club members represented the school in the Ulinzi Walk organized by the Breast Cancer Institute East Africa on October 15, 2023. The participants got an opportunity to access free screening for breast cancer as well as participate in an educational workshop where they learned more about early detection and support systems for people living with breast cancer.
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Six different community service clubs impart the value of giving back to the community and developing solutions for addressing societal issues. In 2023, our Dear Doctor Rwanda club coordinated a collection to support new patients at a local hospital with essential needs. Another club raised enough money to provide health insurance for 19 people living in the Gashora sector.
“As part of the Dear Doctor Rwanda club, I had the opportunity to visit patients at a hospital in a neighboring sector. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to share a carton of milk with a young child who was being treated for cancer. After seeing this young child smile after taking a sip of her milk, I felt a wave of hope slide into my limbs. I grew more passionate about my desired career path of becoming a public health policy maker to advocate for hospitals to have the necessary supplies to provide care to patients.” Arielle, GGSAT grade 11 student
sports/clubs
"To me, GGAST means opportunity. I cannot overstate how much I did not know about the world, myself, and my peers before I came to GGAST. At Gashora, I got to try my hand at business, leadership, and innovation! I have been allowed to be more than I ever thought I could be. An experience like that is quite difficult to forget." Christine, 2016
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Gashora Girls Academy offers 22 different clubs in which students can participate. They fall under four categories:
Academic Associations: These clubs complement the in-class experience by allowing students to explore and apply concepts to practical projects.
Arts & Culture: Clubs that promote the appreciation of art as a tool for expression.
Self-Advancement: Clubs that allow students to pursue passions and talents while learning soft skills that enhance their ability to collaborate and build personal networks. An example would be Model UN or Debate Club.
Community Service: Clubs that impart the value of giving back.
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Sports and recreation engage students in activities that build and sustain talent while encouraging physical and mental health and wellness.
Sports offered:
Basketball, Badminton, Chess, Football (soccer), Table Tennis, Volleyball, Karate, and Jogging
“The emphasis Gashora Girls Academy puts on a holistic experience that goes beyond the classroom provided great preparation for me. The values of acceptance, integrity, and resourcefulness I learned at Gashora significantly shaped my college experience. That said, the best thing that Gashora gave me was the community of effervescent, exceedingly resilient, and equally ambitious women who became the best support system anyone could have asked for.” Angela Uwase Rangira, GGAST 2015
"Attending Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology has been the cornerstone of my journey, guiding me towards a future filled with promise and opportunity. Achieving my Bachelor in Biology from UR, coupled with a Master of Science in Global Health Delivery from UGHE stand as a testament to the solid groundwork laid by GGAST, empowering me to thrive in a competitive job market and paving the way for significant professional endeavors.
During my recent tenure as a Visiting Researcher at Thomas Jefferson University in the United States, I served as a Co-Investigator leading essential research on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. This role showcased the culmination of my education and professional experiences, reflecting a deep-rooted expertise in global health. As a passionate global health professional, I aspire not only to individual success but also to address broader health determinants across Rwanda and the African continent. With a dedicated focus on community health, prevention strategies, and the underlying determinants of health, I am enthusiastic about pursuing a PhD in Public Health, eager to contribute meaningfully to advancing health outcomes." "
- Valentine Ndacyayisenga, GGAST 2013
Partnerships.
The Educational Resilience Program (ERP)
The program, created in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, Agahozo Shalom Youth Village, and the Ministry of Education, trains teachers across Rwanda in education technology, student-centered teaching, and life skills concepts like sexual and reproductive health and mental health.
While the Rwandan education system has made significant progress in recent years, many teachers still lack expertise in student-centered learning approaches and digital technologies that will improve their ability to reach their students and help them succeed in the country’s rapidly evolving economy.
Team4Tech
We have had the privilege to partner with Team4Tech since 2018. Team4Tech supports education nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of education so individuals gain lifelong learning skills for economic success.
In 2023, Team4Tech held a two-day training on project-based learning at Gashora Girls Academy, exploring its potential across diverse subjects and equipping teachers to empower students’ growth. They also introduced Human-Centered Design and the design cycle, cultivating creative problem-solving skills. The training emphasized addressing global challenges through sustainable development goals, inspiring students to become change-makers in their communities and the world through their projects.
Team4Tech volunteers also mentored our student groups on their Exhibition projects. One project presented was about pyrolysis, a pollution-free process of turning plastics into fuel by burning the plastic, providing solutions for recycling, environmental protection, and energy.
Financials
A consolidated look at Rwanda Girls Initiative and Gashora Girls Academy Financials during the 2023 calendar year. In order to align with Gashora Girls Academy fiscal year, Rwanda Girls Initiative is changing their fiscal year. We will to August 31, 2023. Our new fiscal year will now be September 1 through August 31.
