Future Doctors And Health Leaders
Gashora Girls Academy alumnae and current students at The University of Global Health and Equity.
Rwanda is home to The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), a school that focuses on equity, that is pioneering a new way of training healthcare leaders in Africa and beyond. The school is one-of-a-kind, training health leaders who are equipped with medical knowledge, but also in sustaining effective and equitable health systems. Their mission is to build the next generation of global health professionals—doctors, nurses, researchers, and public health and policy experts—into leaders and changemakers. The school was founded early on with a vision and commitment from The Cummings Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
We are fortunate to have many of our Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology (GGAST) students studying at this incredible school, preparing to become medical and health equity leaders. We had the opportunity to hear from four Gashora alumnae who share what they are learning at UGHE and what made their time at Gashora Girls Academy so special.
Would you all please introduce yourself?
My name is Anaise, and I graduated from GGAST in 2019 in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology (MCB). Currently, I will graduate from the University of Global Health Equity in 2026.
Hi, my name is Genereuse, and I graduated GGAST in 2018 where I studied physics, chemistry, and biology (PCB). I will graduate UGHE in 2025. I also enjoy exploring nature.
My name is Gislaine, and I graduated from GGAST in 2018, where I pursued MCB, math, chemistry, and biology. I am currently pursuing medicine at the University of Global Health Equity, completing my degree in 2025.
My name is Joyeuse, and I graduated in 2018 from Gashora Girls Academy and will graduate from UGHE in 2025.
What drew you to the University of Global Health?
ANAISE: I discovered my passion for medicine during a hospital internship opportunity. Observing the work of doctors deepened my desire to become a healthcare professional. UGHE's unique way of teaching piqued my interest as they integrate community health is into the curriculum, teaching the social determinants of health. We learn the science of how we will treat our patients, in addition to, learning to understand the living conditions of the community we work with. We will become doctors who treat our patients and consider other factors that affect their health, such as their social life. This philosophy will improve the care of one and the health of a community at large.
GENEREUSE: The happiness of being admitted to school remains at the core of my heart as studying medicine has always been my dream. I am learning to be a different kind of doctor who treats patients as a whole.
"I want to be a doctor who understands, respects, and builds a trusted relationship with her patients and their families or surrogates. I want to contribute to the advancement of quality healthcare in Rwanda and help people live their lives to the fullest potential." -Gislaine
What are you studying? What is unique about UGHE?
ANAISE: At UGHE, I will graduate with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and Master of Science in Global Health Delivery. This degree means a lot to me because I won't be just a doctor but a global health leader. UGHE is unique in that it is not training students who will deliver health care equitably and take part in solving the pressing global healthcare challenges.
JOYEUSE : I will graduate with a degree of bachelor's in medicine and surgery and a master's degree in global health delivery. I'm acquiring knowledge on serving vulnerable populations and how to help them with a more contextualized approach. Learning goes beyond the classroom and into the community, which adds an emotional and empathetic motivation for advocacy to the theoretical courses.
GENEREUSE: The community-based education is giving me a chance to interact with the community and be taught by the people that I have the privilege to serve.
"At GGAST I learned how to live in a diverse place and appreciate the differences among people. GGAST was a place of discovery, and it boosted my growth in every aspect of life. It was an enthusiastic self-discovery experience filled with opportunities." -Annaise
How have your eyes been opened or have your thoughts changed and grown?
ANAISE: One of the new things I learned is treating a disease is not the only solution to positive health outcomes; social factors also contribute to patients' health and well-being. I have learned to consider those other underlying causes of the disease to create a sustainable solution.
GISLAINE: I have met different people and had different experiences shaping my thoughts. Interacting with the community around the school has exposed me to different needs and challenges. There are great opportunities here that help me attain personal and professional growth. I embrace each opportunity and see each challenge as a chance to grow, whether academically or outside of the classroom.
"GGAST helped me overcome my fear, step out of my comfort zone and try new things that scared me the most. I am so grateful that I got a chance to get admitted to a school like GGAST that paved the way to a great future with many opportunities and aspirations." - Joyeuse
Could you walk me through your career aspirations?
ANAISE: Once I complete my degree, I want to use the knowledge I will gain to help in solving the challenge of inequity in healthcare due to poverty, health center access, and illiteracy. I believe that everyone has the right to good health, so it is essential to care for those who fail to have access to good health and help them. If we could first acknowledge the presence of the problem, then we would be able to find solutions.
GISLAINE: I want to be a doctor who understands, respects, and builds a trusted relationship with her patients and their families or surrogates. I want to contribute to the advancement of quality healthcare in Rwanda and help people live their lives to the fullest potential.
GENEREUSE: I want to pursue obstetrics and gynecology, playing a role in improving the safety of women in delivery, one of the major health problems in Africa today. This degree will enable me to be a voice for the less privileged.
JOYEUSE: Growing up, I always wanted to be a doctor because I admired the white coats of the medical practitioners, but later, I realized that the doctors were beyond the white coats; they are trusted people in the community with invaluable contributions. I want to give back to my community by being a doctor and designing a better world, one of hope and healing.
Health equity is a part of the program, can you explain how your commitment has been strengthened?
ANAISE: After being exposed to how inequity in health is still a pressing challenge, I feel committed to working towards optimal health for all.
GISLAINE: Health equity means people access healthcare equally and fairly, without the influence of who they are or what positions they hold, or their economic backgrounds. My eyes are open to existing issues by learning about them and challenging myself to think about potential solutions to such problems critically.
JOYEUSE: To me, equity equals the desire to leave no one behind, where no one is overlooked because of where they come from, who they are, their economic background, or even their education level. Learning about the existing healthcare inequities strengthened my commitment to eradicating them.
While at Gashora Girls Academy, Genereuse started a club that helped coordinate AIDS awareness and advocacy events for youth. To prepare herself for medical school, Genereuse interned at Busasamana Health Center, where she had the opportunity to learn from experienced medical professionals.
Looking back at your time at GGAST, what do you think made your time there unique and special?
ANAISE: Every moment at GGAST was special to me. I would say that in every experience I faced, I learned something. Learning took place not only in classes but also outside the class in different extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports. Being part of various clubs at Gashora gave me skills that I still use now, such as leadership skills, being committed and responsible. Moreover, some clubs became a path in discovering my dream career. I was part of Dear Doctor Rwanda, a club that helped me discover my interest in medicine. This interest grew from activities we conducted, such as organizing workshops with doctors, visiting hospitals, participating in internships, and helping to solve health problems in our community. At GGAST I also learned how to live in a diverse place and appreciate the differences among people. GGAST was a place of discovery, and it boosted my growth in every aspect of life.
JOYEUSE: Honestly, I did not know school could be fun until I stepped on the Gashora campus. GGAST made it clear that a person can have a life beyond books. The school trips, movie nights, weekend concerts, and water fights are the happiest moments in Gashora. They made my studies more enjoyable and doable, and I will forever be grateful.
What did you learn at GGAST that has helped you in your studies now and in pursuing your dreams?
ANAISE: At GGAST, I learned three important things that helped me through my journey: aiming high, being responsible, and having courage.
GISLAINE: Believing in myself is the best thing that GGAST has taught me, and I use that foundation to pursue my dreams.
JOYEUSE: "Destined to greatness" will forever be my motto. Whenever I think about this sentence, I smile. It brings me courage, hope, and assurance that even though the road can be bumpy, it will be flat and easier to work on one day. It speaks to me to hang in there and behave like a Gashora girl, destined for greatness.
If you could give your past self some advice when you first started at GGAST, what would it be?
ANAISE: If I could give myself advice back to when I was in S4, it would be not to limit myself and grab every opportunity that comes my way.
GISLAINE: Don't let anyone define your time at GGAST, be you and continually work to improve yourself. Seek for help and ask for advice if you face any hardship
GENEREUSE: You cannot have it all together every day, do what you can, work at your own pace. You are stronger than you think.
JOYEUSE: There is always room for improvement. Don't be hard on yourself because you failed a specific exam or did not receive acceptance for a summer program; keep trying. Please don't give up on yourself because you would be robbing yourself of a more significant experience of what it means to be persistent.
Can you sum up your time at GGAST in a few sentences?
ANAISE: An enthusiastic self-discovery experience filled with opportunities.
GISLAINE: My time at GGAST was inspirational, educational, and mind-opening.
GENEREUSE: Gashora was a place to express yourself, leave your comfort zone, and unleash your potential.
JOYEUSE: GGAST helped me overcome my fear, step out of my comfort zone and try new things that scared me the most. I am so grateful that I got a chance to get admitted to a school like GGAST that paved the way to a great future with many opportunities and aspirations.
"Honestly, I did not know school could be fun until I stepped on the Gashora campus. GGAST made it clear that a person can have a life beyond books. The school trips, movie nights, weekend concerts, and water fights are the happiest moments in Gashora. They made my studies more enjoyable and doable, and I will forever be grateful. "
-Joyeuse
