Meet Clementine. A Komera Scholar. A Goal Getter. A Leader of Hope!

Clementine is a Komera scholar and trailblazer studying Pure Economics at the University of Rwanda – Huye Campus. Her journey from adversity to achievement is a testament to the transformative power of education.

Meet Clementine, a current university student and Komera scholar. She joined Komera when she was in secondary school (high school) and has been a Komera scholar ever since. This is her story of how, in the face of immense challenges, Clementine refused to let circumstances dictate her destiny.

“I was born in a very vulnerable family where surviving was not easy at all, and we could hardly get meals. When I was in senior two, I lost my mother and was left with only my father who was worried on how he would take care of 5 children alone yet it was our mother doing all the roles. Our father suggested to us to get out of school since he did not have the capacity to do it all alone.”

Despite the hardships, Clementine pushed her father to let her and her siblings to stay in school, "Inside me, I knew that it was through education that we could survive since we did not have any property." 

Determined, she and her elder brother worked tirelessly every Friday and weekend, sacrificing class time to earn money for school fees and essentials for her and her siblings.

Though it was hard to juggle both her academics and work to support the family, Clementine continued to excel in her academics, but felt hopeless as it came time to continue her students in upper level secondary school (high school).

“I had good marks due to hard work I invested in my studies though there was no hope of continuing to the next level, by good luck I heard that Komera supports young promising girls who have got good grades. I applied like any other girl and I was selected!”

Clementine When she was first onboarded as a Komera Scholar

Clementine and her Father during her onboarding

With Komera's support, Clementine received a scholarship to attend FAWE Girls school, and all the scholastic materials she needed. "I was amazed by receiving more than enough scholastic materials that enabled me to get balances for my siblings every term and joined a competent nice boarding school where I couldn’t believe I can study. Life started becoming easier." 

The ripple effect was profound for Clementine’s family. After joining the Kopibaba Parent and Guardian Co-Op, Clementine's father's outlook and support of her siblings also grew!

While away at school, Clementine was unable to work to aid in supporting her family. So, during school breaks she would work for her neighbors cultivating their gardens so her siblings would have the funds to buy scholastic materials, food, and other necessities. 

With Komera’s support, Clementine was able to spend more time focusing on her academics, instead of being weighed down with the stress of having to balance work to support her family and her schooling. Her hard work and dedication to her goals paid off, and she scored 52/60 on her Senior Six exams! 

But her journey didn't stop there though. Clementine was determined to continue her education at university, so she enrolled in Komera’s Post-Secondary Transition Program. “When I was in post-secondary program I acquired ICT skills and had access to computer[s] and internet that made my application [to university] possible.” Clementine also applied for the highly coveted and very competitive Mastercard scholarship and was selected! “Without Komera there could not be a bridge to Mastercard... My life has completely changed, I am very confident that my dream of changing my family history will come true!"

Since receiving the scholarship, Clementine has been enjoying her first year at the University of Rwanda - Huye campus where she is studying Pure Economics (the study of economic systems and theories). “I am very confident that my dream of changing my family history will come true, I am working hard, saving the partial of my living allowances so that when I will complete my studies, I will be able to start a business in case I do not get employed immediately after school. I am proud that I am a lighting star to my siblings and community at large.”

Today, Clementine is not just a scholar; she is a beacon of hope and inspiration for current and future Komera scholars. Her story embodies the transformative impact of education on individuals, families, and communities. We are so proud of her and all her hard work and we know she is going to have the bright future she has dreamed of and worked hard for! 

Want to learn how you can support scholars like Clementine? Click the link to read more about how you can become a scholar sponsor, and check out out our blog from guest author Julie Lowe about her experience being a scholar sponsor and visiting Claudine, the Komera scholar she supported through secondary school, this past summer in Rwanda!

Clementine before she left for university!