Marcelline

18 Years Old
Lives in Boneza, Rwanda
Student at Kivu Hills Academy

Marcelline is a joyful young lady and her eyes reveal a story. She lost her mother when she was still little and has no memories of her at all. She was raised by her aunt after the death of her mother. Marcelline’s 5 siblings went to live with their father who remarried.

Life was not easy at home for her father and his family. Because of their difficulties, he decided to leave Marcelline’s siblings and ran away with his new wife. It was very shocking and heartbreaking but they had no choice but to forge through life. Marcelline left her aunt and went back home to live with her siblings. Shortly after, Marcelline’s eldest brother abandoned them and their elder sister got married and left home. Marcelline stayed home with her other brother and young sister and they struggled and fought through life together.

Marcelline’s father abandoned them 8 years ago when she was 10 years old. Since then he has never looked back and they have never heard from him again. They belong to the lowest class of poverty in the community and that means that the government pays their insurance and government school fees. Because of this, Marcelline and her siblings managed to go to school regardless of the difficulties back home.

On the weekends, they looked for any work they could find to support them, often working on people’s farms. These siblings were all very hard working and always looked out for each other. Marcelline believes she was lucky to make it through senior three.

Marcelline got to know about KHA when it was just starting. Her church choir was invited to sing during the inauguration of the school. She passed senior 3 exams but was sent to a faraway school and could not afford tuition and school requirements. One day on a Tuesday, the community was invited to come register students who had passed their senior 3 exams but didn’t have means of going on with their education. Arise Rwanda Ministries was giving out scholarships to the poorest in the community.

Marceline was voted in her community as a competent and smart student who could benefit from this opportunity. She rejoiced and gladly joined Kivu Hills and life couldn’t get any better. She is in level 3 tourism trade and there is no doubt that her dream of owning a hotel will be achieved. Marcelline says, “I am so thankful for the privilege to go to school and my dream is coming true”. She would like to thank Arise Rwanda Ministries for giving her a privilege to go to school.