Nawe wagerakure

In a stirring address during the Ministry of Education’s "Nawe Wagera Kure" campaign, Jean Claude Uwihoreye, a renowned Rwandan educationist and resilience icon, captivated students at GS Jarama in the Ngoma District and educators alike with a deeply personal account of perseverance, and triumph against all odds.

Born in 1992, two years after the Rwandan Patriotic Front began its liberation struggle and two years before the Genocide against the Tutsi, Jean Claude Uwihoreye’s life was shaped by tragedy from the outset. Having lost a father and uncles, he was thrust into a world of hardship and responsibility at an unimaginable age.

Speaking to hundreds of students at GS Jarama under the “Nawe Wagera Kure” (You Too Can Go Far/You Too Can Achieve Greatness) campaign—an initiative by the MINEDUC designed to combat high dropout and repetition rates in Rwanda’s primary education system— Jean Claude Uwihoreye aligned his life story with the campaign’s key objectives: boosting transition rates to secondary school and inspiring perseverance in the face of adversity.

Reflecting on his early education, Jean Claude Uwihoreye shared how he began primary school in 2001 at the age of nine, walking seven kilometers each day to attend the only school in his remote village of 35,000 residents. “There were no role models where I came from. No one in my family had ever been to school,” he said, highlighting how government policies under President Paul Kagame enabled him to access education through affirmative action and equity programs.

Jean Claude Uwihoreye never missed a class throughout his primary, secondary, or tertiary education. He consistently ranked first in national examinations—Primary 6, Senior 3, and Senior 6—illustrating the campaign’s core message: that perseverance, even in the harshest of conditions, can open doors to remarkable opportunities.

He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management at Southern New Hampshire University in 2017, followed by three Master's degrees between 2017 and 2023 in MA International Management (Germany), MBA - Master of Business Administration (SNHU, USA), and MEd (Mount Kenya University) and is a candidate for a PhD in International Development and Public Policy at the Northwestern University, US.

Jean Claude’s professional journey is as remarkable as his academic one. Between 2014 and 2024, he held leadership roles in institutions such as Kepler, Akilah Institute, One Acre Fund, Spark MicroGrants, and VSO, Educate! Rwanda, RwandaEQUIP, Vatel Business School impacting thousands of learners and youth across Rwanda. Currently, he serves as a Faculty Lecturer at Kepler College, as an Expert English Lecturer at the African Leadership University and as a Research and Development Expert at the University of Global Health Equity.

The “Nawe Wagera Kure” campaign, backed by sobering statistics from the 2023/2024 Education Statistical Yearbook, revealed that only 65.1% of students were promoted, and the dropout rate stood at 5.2%. Jean Claude Uwihoreye’s presence and message directly addressed these challenges. “Education is more than passing exams—it’s a way to honor those who came before us and to build a brighter future for those who come after,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of staying in school, not just for personal success, but for national development. His heartfelt encouragement echoed one of the campaign’s strongest themes: “You are not alone. Seek support. Push through. And always remember—Nawe Wagera Kure.”

One of the most poignant moments of his speech came when he recounted his desperate efforts in 2013 to secure a scholarship through Bridge2Rwanda. After numerous failed attempts to contact the organization’s Country Director due to communication and technological barriers, he traveled 150 kilometers to Kigali with no appointment, determined to find a way. That journey, although it did not lead to Bridge2Rwanda's partner university: the University of Pennsylvania, brought him to Kepler University Program, a partner of Southern New Hampshire University—an unexpected opportunity that changed his life.

His story encapsulated the moral heart of the campaign: when one door closes, another can open through persistence and faith.

By sharing his own setbacks, triumphs, and the relentless pursuit of education, Jean Claude Uwihoreye embodied the "Nawe Wagera Kure" spirit. His story is not just a testament to his personal strength but a beacon for countless Rwandan students who dare to dream beyond their circumstances.

As Rwanda works to reduce dropout and repetition rates and strengthen transitions to secondary education, role models like Jean Claude Uwihoreye provide not only hope—but also a blueprint for what is possible.

The "Nawe Wagera Kure" campaign is a national initiative launched by the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) in Rwanda to tackle critical challenges affecting the country’s education system, particularly in primary and lower secondary schools. The campaign emerged in response to concerning statistics from the 2023/2024 Education Statistical Yearbook, which highlighted high repetition rates (29.7%), significant dropout rates (5.2%), and low promotion rates (65.1%) among primary school students. Its primary goal is to inspire learners to stay in school, transition successfully to secondary education, and ultimately realize their full potential through the power of education.

At the heart of the campaign is the belief that real-life success stories have the power to motivate and transform young minds. To achieve this, the Ministry partnered with selected Rwandan role models from diverse backgrounds—individuals who overcame personal and social barriers through education. These role models were mobilized to visit schools across the country, sharing their experiences with students in a relatable, inspiring, and interactive format. Their stories were tailored to encourage resilience, emphasize the value of education, and reinforce the message that every student, no matter their background, has the potential to “go far.”

The campaign was conducted nationwide through organized school visits, community engagements, and media outreach. Role models traveled to both urban and rural areas, reaching schools in every province to ensure inclusivity and equitable access to motivational support. Sessions were structured to allow time for storytelling, Q&A with students, and conversations with teachers and community leaders. In some districts, the campaign coincided with local education events, maximizing visibility and community involvement. Educational officials also collected feedback from schools to monitor the campaign's reach and impact.

In addition to physical visits, the campaign leveraged digital platforms and local radio to spread its message to students in remote areas who couldn’t attend the in-person events. Posters and booklets featuring key messages and stories of the role models were distributed in schools to serve as lasting reminders. The “Nawe Wagera Kure” campaign not only reignited hope among learners but also strengthened partnerships among educators, parents, and communities in supporting Rwanda’s collective vision for quality education and inclusive development.