ADELINE PIVOINE GUSENGA

Adeline decided to leave her home country, Rwanda, to pursue her education in biomedical laboratory technology in Uganda. Despite the many hurdles she faced, even in times of COVID-19, Adeline perseveres through kindness, hard work and persistence. Seeing medical challenges in her country, Adeline is keen to introduce an online mobile doctor.

“Enjoy the Journey, Don't Wait for the Destination”

Q: Tell us a few things about your country, and also your life's story!

Rwanda is a small, but a beautiful country known as a land of thousand hills located in East Africa. I was raised in village called Mugombwa in the southern part of Rwanda where 90% of the population depends on subsistence farming. So, don't be surprised if I tell you that I can milk.

Q: How did you experience the global pandemic crisis, did it change your life or/and your views about the world? How?

The global pandemic COVID-19 found me as a student in a foreign country. It was so terrifying to think that I was probably going to die of COVID-19 alone in a foreign land after all the airports and borders closed. However, surprisingly, it turned out to be one of the best moments of the year because I spent time with other foreign students who were not able to go home at that time too, and it was really fun to be together.   

This pandemic showed me that online meetings can be successful and that washing hands several times a day is not difficult.   

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently? 

The key challenge being faced in my society is access to quality education.

Q: Share with us some of the hurdles that you had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them?

I have faced many hurdles, but I always overcome them through hard work, commitment and persistence.  

Q: If you were to ask one thing from our current leaders, what would it be?

 I would ask them to treat Africa better than it is treated now.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

It is important because the mentor helps the mentee to understand the different paths that he/she can pursue to reach a certain destination. In that way, the mentee will be able to select the path which suits her/him best.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share?  

• Avoid procrastination

• Enjoy the journey

• Fear brings only distractions

• Be kind to anyone

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives!

The project "Kizito foundation for peace" was doing a really great job in my country by promoting peace, unit, and reconciliation among Rwandans after the 1994 Tutsi genocide.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are made towards gender equality?

The main challenge being faced by women is early pregnancy and as for gender equality, once the father is identified, he is obliged to take care of the mother and the child until a mature age.

Q: Share with us a phrase, a poem or a story that means something to you.

Enjoy the journey, don't wait for the destination.

Q: Share with us a project that you would like to make happen for your country or a cause that you are passionate about.

 Introducing an online mobile doctor.