2024 annual report
Educate a girl. Inspire a community. Transform a nation.
our mission.
To educate and empower girls of Rwanda to reach their highest potential.
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.
A Message from Co-Founder and Board President, Suzanne Sinegal McGill
It is hard to overstate the profound impact of an educated girl. The evidence is undeniable: when girls are educated, communities are healthier, economies are stronger, and societies are more stable. It is the most impactful investment we can make.
Sixteen years ago, we established Rwanda Girls Initiative and Gashora Girls Academy to help break down these barriers. Gashora, an all-girls STEM boarding school, is an innovation lab showcasing what is possible when you invest in girls.
Our admissions team identifies exceptional young women across Rwanda. Thanks to our sliding scale tuition model, students are admitted based on merit, not their family’s financial capacity. We prioritize merit and the potential to uplift their families and communities.
Rwanda exemplifies transformation, boasting one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies and the highest percentage of women in leadership globally. Gashora Girls Academy builds on this progress, addressing gender disparities in STEM and preparing these women to participate and lead in their fields.
Your support has directly impacted the lives of 978 young women who have graduated from Gashora equipped with the tools to make a difference:
100% of graduates pass the national exam.
97% pursue higher education—despite less than 3% of women in East Africa graduate from post-secondary education.
Alumnae have secured over $100 million in scholarships in the past decade, enrolling in 234 universities across 33 countries.
567 alumnae are college graduates, and 116 have completed graduate school.
These remarkable young women are making a difference: from Huguette, an ER doctor, to Cynthia, an aviation inspector, Gwiza serving at the Rwandan Embassy in Qatar, Pascale developing vaccines, and Raissa, an agricultural analyst. They embody what’s possible when girls are empowered through education.
As you read this report, I hope you feel the profound optimism driving our work. Your belief in the power of girls’ education creates ripples of change.
Thank you for being part of this ripple of positive change. Together, we are building a future where every girl can achieve her dreams and lead the way for others.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Suzanne Sinegal McGill, Co-Founder and Board President
A Message from Head of School, Atete Rugege
I have the honor of serving as the Head of School at Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology. It is a privilege to share how Gashora Girls Academy continues to provide opportunities of a lifetime for so many girls from across Rwanda.
This year, we received over 860 applications for just 95 spots—a testament to Gashora’s reputation as a school of choice for young women aspiring to excel in STEM. Girls who dream of becoming engineers, doctors, neuroscientists, and innovators are looking to Gashora to prepare them for the future.
When we opened Gashora’s doors in 2011, it was a bold vision driven by two passionate founders who believed in the power of education to transform lives. Today, that vision has come full circle. Parents now call us day and night, eager to secure their daughters' place at Gashora, a school recognized as Rwanda’s top-performing institution for five consecutive years.
Our achievements in 2024 highlight this progress:
19 students from the Class of 2024 joined prestigious colleges in the United States.
Two of our students were among the top ten performers nationally in the science category, a significant milestone for girls in STEM.
These accomplishments reflect the core of Gashora’s mission: to find and nurture the best and brightest girls across Rwanda. Through rigorous academics, extracurricular activities, and sports, we build critical thinking and interpersonal skills, fostering young women with the confidence to tackle challenges and create solutions for their communities and beyond.
Yet, as we celebrate, we are reminded of the work to be done. Out of the top ten national exam performers, only three were female, underscoring the urgent need to continue addressing gender disparities in education, particularly in STEM.
We can achieve what we do only because of your unwavering support. Your generosity has provided access to life-changing education for deserving young women who are now making a difference across Rwanda and the world.
On behalf of the Gashora Girls, our staff, and myself, I extend heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Your commitment to girls’ education has empowered hundreds—and soon over a thousand—young women to rise and reach their full potential.
Thank you for walking this journey with us. Together, we nurture the next generation of leaders who will transform Rwanda and the world.
With gratitude,
Atete Rugege
our 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’s impact is a testament to the power of an educational environment that values diversity and empowerment, principles that continue to guide my work and vision. Gashora is pivotal in showcasing the capabilities of girls in STEM in Rwanda, a field where women are globally underrepresented.”
Meet our alumnae.
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Linda Mutesi
Gashora Girls Academy 2017
Soka University, Economics
University of California Berkeley, Masters of Information Management Systems
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Esther Uwibambe
Gashora Girls Academy 2013
University of Rwanda, Medicine
University of Global Heath Equity, MS in Global Health Delivery
University of Cape Town, PH.D candidate in Human Genetics
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Mpuhwe Nelly Aimelyne
Gashora Girls Academy 2017
Korea University, Biomedical Engineering
Korea University, Masters in Biomedical Engineering
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Assoumpta Umwali Ujeneza
Gashora Girls Academy 2028
Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture, Food Processing
United Nation Food and Agriculture
University of Nebraska, Master’s in Food Science and Technology
class of 2024
97 New Gashora Girls Academy Graduates
With National Exam scores posted in December of 2024, most of our students’ international and local college admission acceptances arrive in 2025 after exam results.
The following is a sample of college admissions accepted from the Class of 2024:
American University of Paris, Amherst College, Bowdoin College, Brown University, Columbia University, Davidson College, Eastern Nazarene, Harvard University, Marist College, Middlebury College, Northwestern University, Northwestern Qatar, Tufts University, University of Montreal, University of Notre Dame, University of Ottowa, University of Pennsylvania Engineering, University of Rochester, Vassar College, Wesleyan University, Yale University
Congratulations
To the 67 students who graduated with their undergraduate degrees
and the 15 with a master’s or doctorate degree in 2024!
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Angel was part of the Gashora class of 2018. She is thrilled to have graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Ashesi University in Ghana. She shares, “This milestone represents a journey of resilience, curiosity, and growth.” She is currently working for GanzAfrica in Kigali.
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This December, Jeannette or Toni, from the class of 2014, graduated with her Master’s degree in Global Business & Management from Thunderbird School of Business. While pursuing her degree she co-founded the New Horizon Initiative, a nonprofit that is making a huge impact where she is serving as the Project Director. She says, “Two years ago, I moved to the US with my one-year-old. I didn’t have a roadmap, just a dream to grow, learn and create. I would not have believed you if you told me what I would accomplish in this short time!” You can read more HERE
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Christelle, Gashora Girls Academy 2018 graduate, received her BSc in Entrepreneurial Leadership from the African Leadership University in Mauritius. She shares, “Reflecting on the past years, it has been a journey of growth, resilience and discovery. I have encountered failures that turned into invaluable lessons, embraced success ad constantly sought opportunities to learn.” She is currently working full time in Mauritius.
staff highlights
Ivan Mubiru, Physics Teacher
Teacher Mubiru Ivan has taught physics at Gashora Girls Academy for only two years but has already had a significant impact on campus. After his first year, he was awarded Teacher of the Year at the 2023 graduation!
With a passion for music and sports, Teacher Ivan mentors the Art Revolutionary Club and the school football (soccer) team and is the Christian community coordinator.
“The students at GGAST are exceptional and are the heart of our school. Their eagerness to learn is not only infectious but also incredibly inspiring. It's a joy to see their curiosity blossom, and it's this enthusiasm that makes teaching at GGAST so rewarding.” Teacher Ivan
Teacher Training
Teachers had the opportunity to attend an intensive week-long professional development retreat at the Centre for Math, Science, and Technology in Africa (CEMASTEA) in Kenya, focusing on crucial skills for educators. They immersed themselves in topics such as social-emotional learning, mental health support, ICT tools, learner-centered strategies, project-based learning, and learning through play. The retreat aimed to equip teachers with the knowledge and tools to create a supportive and engaging learning environment where all students can thrive.
Cleo Ingabire.
Meet our University Counselor and Gashora Girls Academy alumna as she shares her journey back to Gashora Girls Academy.
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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IDEBATE Tournament
Gashora Girls participated in a debate competing with more than 30 schools from around the country with topics surrounding education reform. Despite the challenge and impromptu topics, they took home the cup!
“The motions helped me think outside the box, and improve my research skills.” Gentille, GGAST 2026
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KPL Writing Competition
The Kigali Public Library hosted a national essay writing competition on the country’s conservation and tourism efforts. Pamela took third place in the French category with her piece about Msanze caves and their untapped touristic potential.
“The competition reignited my passion for the French language. I also learned more about Rwanda’s tourist destinations throughout my research.”
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Lego League
More than 200 teams of future engineers applied to compete at First Lego League. From there 25 teams from Rwanda, 4 from Nigeria, and 1 from Uganda met to compete. The Gashora Girls Academy team took 2nd runner up and Best Robot design. They were also invited to be one of 10 teams to participate in the AI Hackathon. Congratulations!
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National Exam: Top 2 Female Science Students
Unsurprisingly, 100% of the Gashora Girls passed the national exam in July of 2024. Out of the top 10 in Sciences, only 3 were girls and 2 were from Gashora Girls Academy! Congratulations to Christella and Rolanda.
“I couldn’t have done it without the constant support from my teachers and the encouragement of my peers, who created an environment where I could challenge myself.” Rolanda, GGAST 2024, Tufts University, Biomedical Engineering
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Summer Programs
Twelve students were admitted to international summer programs in 2024 including Tech Girls, Telluride Association Summer Seminar, and Yale Summer program. Tyra, pictured above, attended the Impact Lab at Wentworth Institute where she explored courses with peers from 10 nationalities.
“As a future engineer, my mind was limited to STEM courses, however at impact lab, I learned about business and innovation which helped me with my vision for the future,” Tyra, GGAST 25
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10 Students accepted Early Decision
It all began in August when GGAST hosted its annual Early Decision camp, where students spend two weeks preparing for Early Decision applications. With the support of alumnae and a GGAST teacher, students drafted their personal essays and implemented essay workshops. Schools, where students were admitted are: Amherst College, Brown University, Middlebury College, Mount Vernon Nazarene Northwestern University, Smith College, Swarthmore, Tufts College, and University of British Columbia.
Annual project exhibition winners
Each year, Gashora holds a 25-week project program focused on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where students, in small groups of three to five, identify a problem, research it, and develop innovative solutions and prototypes. During the process, they receive close mentorship from teachers or staff of their choosing. On the final day, an exhibition is hosted on campus where students present to judges, and three top projects are chosen and given awards. These were last year’s winners.
Impuzo Website: Impuzo is a website designed to facilitate victims of gender-based violence by linking them to professional help.
“I had a close friend who was a victim of violence and was just for her circumstances. I believe that having an online medium would reduce the likelihood of victim-blaming and help victims.”
Plastic Vacuum Cleaner: Our students created an affordable and convenient way of cleaning by using waste materials to make a vacuum that makes cleaning less of a hurdle.
“I was able to put in practice what I was learning in class about conservation and energy and how to be an effective team player.”
Unguka Cultural Board Game: After noticing the lack of cultural knowledge in today's youth, these students created a board game that teaches Rwandan history, literature, and culture, creating a fun way to learn as you play.
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.
“Gashora’s Whole Girl education and emphasis on leadership and community have played a huge role in shaping who I am today. Leading the ‘We for Them’ club instilled leadership and a passion for giving back, while table tennis taught me discipline and teamwork. Studying physics, chemistry, and math sparked my path to biomedical engineering. Now at Tufts, I am leading a global project with Engineers Without Borders. The resilience and confidence Gashora instilled in me continues to guide me. I’m forever grateful. ”
Leadership.
“Gashora’s holistic education encourages engagement in extra-curricular activities and has shaped my growth. Debate has sharpened my critical thinking, GirlUp fueled my commitment to community and women empowerment, and mathletes helped me explore different areas in math that will help me as I pursue my education at Northwestern.
— Shifah, GGAST 2025, Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University
Expert-led Training and Workshops
Expert-led training and workshops are part of the Whole Girl program at Gashora Girls Academy, where visiting presenters facilitate training and workshops on various topics. Our unique Whole Girl curriculum and programs enable our students to confidently pursue their futures with exuberance and intellectual curiosity, preparing them to be the future changemakers of their generation.
Dr Anne Marie Amies and The Certa Foundation
Gashora Girls Academy was honored to host Dr. Anne Marie Amies, a professor at the University of Washington Division of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology. Dr. Anne and a team from The Certa Foundation in Rwanda conducted a health retreat for Gashora students. Their expertise on menstrual health and content on consent, red and yellow flags, and bystander intervention was a gift to our students, empowering them with knowledge and confidence to share valuable learnings with their peers. These trainings planted a vital seed and inspired the students to be conscious of their health and bodies.
Leadership Opportunities
Below is a sampling of growth, learning, and leadership opportunities students have the opportunity to participate in.
iLEAD
Gashora Girls continues 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. Our Head Girl participated in a panel discussion during this year's Convention with our other panelists.
LEAP Rwanda
The LEAP Program aims to equip high-school students with entrepreneurial knowledge and funding to pursue initiatives that solve social problems. Jean, a senior at GGAST, came up with an educational board game about conservation and along with her teammates from other schools, secured first place and won funding to take the game forward.
“The competition helped to inform me about issues my community faces. I learned to be someone who acts - not just one who watches.” Jean, GGAST 25
Prefects
The prefectorial elections occur in the third term to serve the following school year. There are eight 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.
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, mental health, 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. It was a joy to welcome back a new set of alumnae for each session.
Health and Rights Manual Review
Girl Up and Dear Doctor Rwanda clubs participated in a review process for the CERTA Foundation Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Manual. The students gained confidence as they professionally presented their review outcomes to the organization. The depth of their analysis and ability to show relevance by weaving in their own experiences created a well-rounded perspective on how the manual could be improved.
“I attribute my fearlessness and readiness to challenge my limits and take initiative to Whole Girl education. It is where I developed an aptitude for learning and a sense of responsibility to myself and the community.
I am deeply grateful to the entire Rwanda Girls Initiative and Gashora Girls Academy community, who make it possible for us to chase our dreams with confidence. “
-Liliane Gikundiro, GGAST Class of 2017 BS in Software Engineering, The African Leadership University 2023
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 is 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
FAMILIES
Gashora is a family. Students refer to each other as ‘sisters’; however, a more fundamental aspect of this family is the “mother/daughter” relationship. Each senior takes on a first-year student and helps to guide them through their Gashora Journey. There is no greater joy than seeing a grandma, mother, and daughter spotted together, leaning on each other for support.
"Coming to a new school and finding someone who checks on me every day makes me feel loved and a sense of belonging.”
Kellia, GGAST 2027, Granddaughter on right
Diversity and Safe Spaces Workshop
Students participated in a workshop on diversity and safe spaces aimed at:
Building an understanding of the importance of diversity at GGAST.
Developing empathy and respect for different backgrounds and perspectives.
Learning practical ways to foster inclusive and safe spaces for all students.
Addressing potential challenges in maintaining inclusivity in a competitive, high-performing environment like GGAST.
community engagment
“Receiving a shoutout from the Minister of Youth about our play on inter-generational trauma, showed me that I can make my country proud, simply by using my talents.” -Gaju
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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.
Under the initiative We for Them, our students also visited children at a home for students with disabilities. Students brought hygiene and scholastic materials.
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The Interact Club held a fundraiser and raised money for homeless children. They delivered food , toys, and clothing.
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The Gashora theater club performed a play about inter-generational trauma as t pertains to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis. They performed a play about unity and forgiveness, urging everyone to take pride in their identity as Rwandans.
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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. The Dear Doctor Rwanda club coordinated a collection to support new patients at a local hospital with essential needs.
“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 siping 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 patient care.” 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
At Gashora Girls Academy, students are encouraged to participate in one sport, one community service club, and two other clubs of their choosing from the 23 clubs. The clubs 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.
Agriculture & Environment club students visited the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) to enhance their knowledge of agriculture projects and explore innovative practices, research initiatives, and education programs RICA offers. With 65% of Rwandans employed in the agricultural sector, as a country, it is essential to educate the next generation of entrepreneurs in sustainable agriculture.
On visitation day, purple drinks could be seen all around campus. Students and their parents were drinking Hibiscus tea made by the Agrivelo club. The hibiscus had been planted months earlier in preparation, and the club made eighty dollars of profits from the trade.
" As the vice president, agriculture made me love the environment more. We plan on doing more projects with the profit, including making and packaging dried pepper.” - Kellen, GGAST 2025
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
“Karate is more than just a sport; it has helped me discover my mental and physical strengths. Gashora has fueled my passion, challenging me to grow both in the dojo and life. As an instructor of the Karate club, I impart the other members with more than skill; I teach them about justice, equality, and the philosophy behind the practice.” Jessica
Partnerships.
The Educational Resilience Program (ERP)
For the last four years, it has been an honor to partner with Agahozo Shalom Youth Village, The Ministry of Education, and the Mastercard Foundation. The program has been transformative and a privilege to be a part of.
As a team, we have trained 500 teachers and 152 directors in digital technology, student-centered learning, and life skills. Those teachers trained over 3,200 additional teachers.
This has impacted nearly 123,000 students across the country!
Team4Tech / Salesforce
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 2024, Team4Tech held workshops with students and teachers focused on the following
Design Thinking
Designing your goals and values
Arduino and MIcrobits
The design of our new Makerspace
Students in grade 10 enjoyed workshops on Design Thinking for community projects where they learned innovative approaches to understand community needs and generate sustainable solutions. The grade 12 students had an afternoon with a Salesforce VP who focused on V2MOMS Model of crafting a personal vision and staying accountable.
Financials
A consolidated look at Rwanda Girls Initiative and Gashora Girls Academy Financials during the 2024 calendar year. Rwanda Girls Initiative has changed its fiscal year to align with the Gashora Girls Academy fiscal year. We filed a short year 990 for January 2024 to August 2024. On September 1, 2024, we began our first new fiscal year, which will end on August 31, 2025. We will continue to report financials for the calendar year in the annual report.
