Higher Education - A Q&A with Mama Emmanuel and her Son
In Rwanda, graduating from secondary school is a major achievement. An education in not guaranteed in Rwanda and a family must be able to pay for school fees, text books and uniform fees in order for a child to attend school.
The average cost to send one child to school is approximately $80 annually. This is a tremendous amount for a Rwandese family….and if a family has multiple children, there is simply no way to pay for an education for all of them.
We at Handspun Hope contribute toward the school fees of every child in the care of our employees. Many of the ladies are caring for the children of a deceased family member, so having assistance in covering costs is essential in order to ensure every child receives an education. We want to see every child take their education as far as their heart desires….all the way to university, if that is their dream.
We thought we’d talk to one of our talented employees, Mama Emmanuel, and her son, Emmanuel, who graduated from secondary school. We are so proud of both of them…you will be, too.
Q: Mama Emmanuel, tell us about yourself. How long have you worked for handspun hope?
A: My name is Mama Emmanuel. I am 60 years old. I live with my son Emmanuel and became a widow in 1996. I began working for Handspun Hope in 2011.
Q: Tell us about your job at the cooperative?
A: I make wool-felting art, creating different sculptures from sheep wool. Also, I am the head of a savings cooperative here at Handspun Hope.
Q: How has life changed for you since working for Handspun Hope?
A: My life changed from bad to good since working for Handspun Hope. Before, I was living an impossible life, but now I can get clothes, pay my rent for my house and my son finished a secondary school education.
Also, I had very long-lasting, painful sickness and I didn’t know how to get it treated until our counselors assisted and guided me and now I am doing much better. I am very thankful to Handspun Hope for taking care of my treatment expenses.
Q: You mentioned your son, Emmanuel, who completed secondary school. What does that mean to you?
A: I am very thankful to God that my son was able to complete his secondary school studies. Before, it was very difficult for me to pay school fees for him, but since I started to work for Handspun Hope, it become possible. I am praying that God will make a way for him to go to a university.
Q: What is something you see - in your life or community- that gives you hope?
A: When I see the development in our community and see how my life has been improving, it gives me hope that God will continue to do much more for me and for the country.
Thank you, Mama Emmanuel! We also visited with her son, Emmanuel, to get his perspective on his educational achievements.
Q: Emmanuel, tell us about yourself and your family.
A: I am Emmanuel and I live in my mother’s home.
Q: What did you enjoy about secondary school? What was your favorite subject?
A: My favorite subject was computer science and mathematics but, after my training in hospitality, the course about making coffee became my favorite. I am very happy to have been able to finish my secondary school studies, though I wish I could continue in university. I studied mathematics, physics and computer sciences. I also had one year of vocational training in hospitality.
Q: What job would you like to have?
A: During my vocational training in hospitality, I very much liked a course about making coffee and I wish to become an expert in coffee making ( a barista). It’s a profession/career that I love.
Q: What is something you see - in your life or community - that gives you hope?
A: When I see how the country is developing in different ways, it gives me hope and courage that I will some day meet my dreams.
