Uwamohoro Zaninka, 12

My name, Zaninka, means “bring many cows,” because my family hopes that when I get married we will receive many cows as a dowry.

When I grow up, I want to be a minister in the government because I want to be a good leader. I want to provide for the people of the country.

Studying photographs has changed my life. I never knew anything about photography, but now I do. When people see my pictures, they will be able to see where I live.

Sadiki Jacques, 13

I am 13 years old. I live with my auntie and younger sister. My parents were killed in 1998 in the war here in Rwanda. My sister and I were with them at the bus park in Mahoko when they were killed with pangas.

The attackers tried to kill us as well. They thought we were dead, but we survived.

Now I have scars on my knee. My sister has a scar on her face.

When I grow up, I want to become a solider. I want to protect my younger sister, because one day we will be alone. I am afraid that village rebels will take my sister.

Maniragena Jeanvier, 15

My family moved to Bigogwe in 2002 because it is where my relatives live. My mother died from a sickness and my father remarried. He lives somewhere else, so I stay with my elder brother.

When I was a child, my neighbors bewitched me. I had pain in my legs and for many years I was mentally disturbed. In 2006, I traveled to Congo where traditional doctors healed me by giving me different herbs to drink. have recovered now and am able to attend school every day.

 When I am not at school, I play football. I also like to train myself in English.

I want to become an English teacher because a teacher gives the gift of knowledge.

Ndayisaba Claude, 12

Before I was born, before my father died, my parents used to pray and ask God to have a boy. That is where my name comes from. It means, “I ask God for.” 

Coming to photography class has changed how I think about school. Now I know more, and I love to learn.

 When I am not in school, I like to play football. I also look after the cows. I feel like I am always with the cows! When I grow up, I want to become the President of Rwanda.

I love my country so much. I want to bring peace to my country some day.

Umutoni Gentille, 15

I live with my parents and 7 siblings who moved here from Congo in 1993 because of the war.

When I am not in school, I do many chores, like washing and cooking and cleaning. When I grow up I want to be an accountant because I like arithmetic and I want to take good care of people’s money.

I have a dream to travel and see many places that I have not seen.

I want to see Kigali because I have never seen a big city before.

Uwajeneza Bunani, 15

My family is from the Congo, but we fled to Bigogwe because of the war. I live with my parents and four brothers.

After the floods, we were unable to pay our rent and we were evicted from our home. Now we live in another home. My parents are farmers. We grow peas and we also have cows and goats. I want to become an English teacher when I grow up because I like English so much.

I am very happy to be in school because many girls do not have that opportunity.

Ndayambaje Isaac, 15

My family came from Congo when I was very young, when I was still crawling. Now we are settled here and I live with parents and 7 siblings.

I want to become a doctor so that I can heal people and make them feel better.

Recently, my uncle gave me a cow. I am very proud of owning a cow!

I have been looking after his cows and working for him, so now he is thanking me. The cow is in the Congo. When school ends, I will travel there to see it.