Hi readers. This is Valerie. I am the executive assistant to the AoC Director, Julie, as well as an AoC translator and teacher. I would like to share my story about my recent graduation day.
This picture shows me teaching at one of the schools that we work at called Nyange Primary School in the Northern Province of Rwanda.
My dreams came true on the 30th of June 2010!
When I started my studies at INES- RUHENGERI, which was formally called International University, everything was new to me. Most of my colleagues were speaking very good English because some had a job and experience. I was so shy! I could only talk when the lecturer happened to ask me a question. As the time went on, I began to ask questions to the lecturer and to my colleagues including my best friend Odile NYIRAGUHIRWA who was always so kind to me. With her kindness I was accustomed to everything at my school.
Our school went through struggles such as being asked to change its name, looking for complete documents in order to be registered and so on. Despite these challenges, I was not discouraged by them and I persevered. After all, I focused on studies and later found a translating job at the Art of Conservation, Inc. My job helped a lot with my studies because it was matching exactly with what I studied. Then, the time for writing books to present came. After my presentation, I had to wait for our graduation ceremony. This was a dream for me. I was expecting this day happening in 2020! I was always listening to the radio waiting the news about INES-RUHENGERI being officially recognized.
Fortunately, on the 24th of March, Ruhengeri Institute of Higher Education (INES-RUHENGERI) was delighted to receive the long awaited news of the Definitive Operating Agreement and degree awarding powers from the Government of Rwanda! Wow! I did not sleep the night of this announcement.
Very soon on June 30th, the date of our graduation ceremony was announced. This day was an answer to my worries and dreams! My colleagues and I were very proud going in front of the Minister of Education and as our number was exceptional (11), everyone attending the ceremony was watching us! This event increased my happiness and joy of the day. I always think of continuing my studies but this thought is still a dream. Maybe it will also come true one day!
I was graduated at Ruhengeri Institute of Higher Education Faculty of Languages and Applied Linguistics in the Department of Translation and Interpreting.
I am among the very first students of INES – RUHENGERI academic year 2004-2007. I am proud of my school!
This is Julie and me at my graduation party. Our friend Susie Garrison took this photograph.
Hi readers. This is Innocent. I am a teacher and translator for the AoC project. I also work with AoC’s alternative fuel initiative and here is my story about my graduation day.
I am reading a story about global warming to our AoC conservation education students.
It’s real fun to graduate while one is a member of Team AoC.
On Wednesday 30 June 2010, the very first and long waited graduation took place at Ruhengeri Institute of Higher Education (INES-Ruhengeri). I was proud to be part of the first INES-Ruhengeri Translation class which graduated among other classes of this newly created higher learning institution located right next to the Musanze Cave, Musanze District, Northern Province. During our graduation, the guest of honor was the Rwandan Minister of Education Dr. Charles Murigande who is also the Chancellor of INES-Ruhengeri.
This event was also for me an opportunity to realize much more how wonderful it is to be part of Team AoC led by Julie Ghrist, the Director. You can’t believe how each and every Team AoC member made my graduation theirs.
So within AoC everybody really cares about everybody.
I am here with Julie at my graduation party. Many friends joined us, including Susie Garrison who took this picture.
