Iradukunda Providence

Executive Director at Youth Estimation for Peace and Development

I am Iradukunda Providence, a Rwandan female from Burera District, Cyanika Sector. I am the third of eleven children, raised by both my mother and father. I come from a financially humble family in the rural area of Cyanika. I attended GS Butete for primary school, where I excelled in the national examination and was sent to Gicumbi to study at Ecole Secondaire Sancta Maria Karambo. I spent three years there and performed well in the Ordinary Level examination, scoring 13 aggregates under the 2016 ranking system.

Afterward, the government assigned me to RP Kigali College to complete my high school studies, where I studied Electronics and Telecommunication. It had always been a big dream of mine to study in Kigali, so this was a major step toward achieving that dream.

The challenge came later when I could no longer afford to attend school. My family was unable to sponsor my studies, and it seemed like I wouldn't make it. That’s when I reached out to the Social Affairs Officer in our sector, who knew me and was aware of my good academic performance. She introduced me to ASEF. When ASEF stepped in, everything changed. I received school fees and all the supplies I needed: notebooks, pens, a mattress, hygiene materials, and more. I am truly thankful to ASEF, because without it, continuing my studies would not have been possible.

Studying at RP Kigali College was a bit challenging. I had to live outside the school since there were no dormitories available. At the time, I was only 15 years old, and because of my small size, I looked 12. Some students joked that I wouldn’t survive in the ghetto the area outside campus. To cut the long story short, I managed to live with 3 schoolmates for one year and one semester before moving into the school’s dormitories.

In 2018, when I was in Senior Five, I had the idea of creating a group or club focused on developing student talents. At the time, I was a singer and a poet. I had already participated in several competitions and won various awards, including one organized by Never Again Rwanda.

During the first term holiday, I visited the Executive Secretary of Cyanika Sector and introduced my idea to form a club that recognizes and nurtures young people’s talents. I had already started something similar at my school, but I knew that young people in my home community had talents that were not being recognized. I had a well-written proposal, and fortunately, the Executive Secretary liked the idea and welcomed it.

I started the initiative with the name “Cyanika Youth Estimation.” I organized a summit and invited many young people. At the very first event, more than 200 youth attended. It was a successful day, attended by local leaders, and they all appreciated it. I structured it well, forming an administration led by young volunteers who were reporting to me even while I was still in school.

The idea grew, and we began implementing different projects in education, health, culture, and art. We organized summits where young people showcased their talents and were rewarded. We received support from our main partner, Never Again Rwanda. In 2019, when I was in Senior Six, we organized a major event called “My Talent, My Property.” It was attended by former Minister of Local Government, Hon. Gatabazi Jean Marie Vianney, who was by then the Northern Province Governor, as well as other notable government officials. By that time, our initiative had evolved from a club into an NGO and changed its name to “Youth Estimation for Peace and Development.”

Today, I serve as the Executive Director of that NGO, a journey that began all the way back in Senior Five. I have now completed my university studies. I earned a diploma from RP Kigali College and later upgraded to a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunication from Gishari RP College. I currently manage and work with Youth Estimation for Peace and Development, and I am proud of how far we’ve come and what we are planning to do soon.

To ASEF students: I challenge you not only to earn good grades, although that’s important, but to understand that success goes beyond academics. Academic intelligence is one part of success, but I encourage you to become wise. Use your knowledge to solve real-world problems and engage in meaningful activities even while in school. I wish you a bright and successful future!