On Friday, President Paul Kagame warmly received a delegation from Hope Haven Christian School, led by Susan Hollern, the school's founder and director.
The President commended their dedication to expanding educational opportunities in Rwanda, highlighting the lasting importance of quality education.
He expressed, "I want to thank you. You have fulfilled a critical need for our country and our citizens. When we started this development journey, there was an urgent demand to ensure access to schools. That need persists, as education will always be fundamental."
Reflecting on his personal story of determination, President Kagame recounted his early years of attending school as a refugee under challenging conditions. "I remember my beginnings," he shared. "As a young boy in a refugee camp, we studied under trees, using our knees as notebooks and pieces of dry grass as pens."
He emphasized how such hardships paved the way for immense growth and resilience. "Those moments gave us a solid foundation. It was challenging, but we knew it was the right thing to embrace. Even during difficult times, we understood the value and necessity of education."
The President also touched on how learning played a significant role throughout Rwanda's liberation struggle. He described this period as a different kind of schooling experience, full of lessons shaping his vision for Rwanda's future. "During the struggle for our nation's liberation, we found ourselves in another form of schooling—this time in the wilderness. Every step of that journey taught us valuable lessons. The liberation mission was about uncovering truth—truth about ourselves, our people, and our responsibilities."
Hope Haven School Rwanda, located in the Ndera sector of Gasabo District, was established in 2012 by an American philanthropist. The institution focuses on empowering underprivileged families by offering free education for children and creating job opportunities for their parents within the school premises, helping them earn an income.
President Kagame hosted a delegation from Hope Haven Christian School
President Kagame praised Hope Haven Christian School for their contributions
President Kagame shared how he studied under challenging conditions, using his knees to write.