Looking back and Ahead
"Gashora Girls Academy holds a special place in my heart. It's more than a school—it's a place where education goes beyond academics, empowering girls and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone and fully reach their potential. Gashora Girls Academy supports students' talents and builds future independent women."
My name is Yvanelle Munyaneza, and I am a senior at Gashora Girls Academy majoring in Mathematics, Computer science, and Economics. I enjoy watching football(soccer), specifically the English Premier League, cooking, listening to music, praying, reading, learning first aid treatments, and contributing to the community.
Reflecting on my time at Gashora, I can see how I have grown. During the orientation week in grade 10, the University College counselor, Miss Cleo, said, "It's okay to be vulnerable." Thanks to Miss Cleo's advice to embrace vulnerability, I have learned to seek help. I was a quiet girl who continually feared speaking in public, and I was not fluent in English. Now, I can confidently write and speak in public because I allowed myself to be vulnerable and ask for help.
Yvanelle being named as President of the newly formed “Interact Club of Gashora.”
In grade 11, I felt inspired by a Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga presentation. I joined the newly chartered "Interact Club of Gashora Girls Academy," the rotary club of youth ages 12-18. Being elected club president was a proud moment and an opportunity to be the supporting hand I had always dreamt of. Leading a group of 80 members taught me lessons on team work and open-mindedness. Together, we have taken on projects to support vulnerable families living in the Gashora sector.
I also became interested in leadership while at Gashora Girls Academy. While leading, I have learned the importance of listening to other students and making hard decisions even though they might be against the majority. I have gained communication skills, time management, hard work, commitment, transparency, integrity, courage, and empathy.
Looking ahead, I have big dreams for my future. I plan to pursue a degree in International Economics, intern in the financial sector, and continue to serve my community. I see myself running a successful business, contributing to Rwanda's development, and advocating for women's financial independence. This is possible because of the opportunities I have been given while at Gashora Girls Academy.
Yvanelle with her mom.
Gashora Girls Academy holds a special place in my heart. It's more than a school—it's a place where education goes beyond academics, empowering girls and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone and fully reach their potential. Gashora Girls Academy supports students' talents and builds future independent women. Gashora has built a friendly, sisterhood-like environment that makes each student feel at home. It also encourages each Gashora girl to give back to the community to uplift the whole community.
In closing, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported my education, including my mom (pictured above), teachers, school administration, and classmates.
This includes YOU, our sponsors and supporters who spur us on to greatness. THANK YOU!
As the President of the Economics Club, I have had the opportunity to spread financial awareness to the student body. We have organized economic debates and conducted a school competition to prepare students for the National BNR quiz challenge, a contest by a bank in Rwanda to impart knowledge to youth to help them make informed financial decisions. Through various discussions we had in our club, I have learned budgeting, enterprising skills, and hard work.
