Kayitare H.
Age: 19
Born: Nyakabanda, Rwanda
Last Year of School Completed Before Dropping Out: 5th Grade
Hobbies: Dancing and soccer
Sponsorship: Boarding School - Secondary School
Kayitare would like to become an engineer one day.
Kayitare completed 5th grade before dropping out of school due to extreme poverty. He lives in Nyakabanda with his grandmother, father, sister and brother. He enjoys the dance classes in particular at MindLeaps and playing soccer with his friends. His dream one day is to become a dancer, engineer, or mechanic; when he gets a sponsor he will definitely be able to study mechanics in vocational training school- A dream come true!
Kayitare's Story.
Kayitare is 19 years old and lives in Nyamirambo, a neighborhood just outside of Kigali, with his parents and five siblings. Kayitare dropped out of school in grade 5 because of poverty. He spent some time on the streets, but after joining MindLeaps in 2015, he was re-enrolled into school. He now attends Groupe Scolaire Akumunigo and is currently in grade 9.
In 2019, Kayitare sat his grade 6 national exams and passed with distinction (5 A’s). He was not only ranked the top student in the school, but he had the highest marks out of all students in the entire country! Naturally, Kayitare was over the moon about his well-deserved success. He was granted admission to an excellent school and was allowed to skip to grade 9 given his academic ability. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic his school has been closed so he has missed a lot of time in class learning. Despite this, he will still sit his national exams for grade 9 this year. In the 10th grade, Kayitare hopes to take science-based classes, choosing between either maths, biology and chemistry, or maths, physics and geography. Kayitare is known in MindLeaps as the school genius!
As a student in the MindLeaps virtual academy, Kayitare – like the other students – has been learning with volunteers from the US, so his English has really improved during the pandemic. He was chosen to attend because he really sticks in at school and there is a certain responsibility that comes with showing up to online class on time and actively participating. He has really excelled as a student, achieving distinction grades for his performance and has 100% attendance. Kayitare was also hired as a teaching assistant in the virtual academy during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he has really enjoyed. Even pre-pandemic, Kayitare was known to share his knowledge with other children struggling with their schoolwork in his neighbourhood. He willingly helps them with their homework, especially with maths and science. He also uses this as an opportunity to continue learning as he needs to be well-prepared in order to help the other children successfully. Kayitare says that it is fulfilling to be able to do this, and it allows him to spend time with his friends, too. Thus, despite the challenges that COVID-19 has brought to several of our students, it is evident that Kayitare has maintained a full schedule and his focus on his school work and helping others has not waivered.
Kayitare is a very hardworking, humble, and respectful boy. He enjoys the time he spends studying as he says it gives him hope for the future. He also works very well as a member of a team. Kayitare’s best friend is Samuel, who is the same age as him. They are in the same grade and attend the same school, and Kayitare encourages and helps Samuel with his schoolwork.
Aside from studying, Kayitare likes to play football and dance. This is unusual for children from his neighbourhood, as it is known for petty crime and low levels of community engagement. However, Kayitare’s grit and hard work are really paying off and we are so proud of him. He is succeeding in school with flying colours and never loses focus of where he wants to be in the future. Kayitare dreams of one day becoming an electronic engineer and we are very sure that with his positive attitude and work ethic, he will be able to achieve this dream.
In 2019, Kayitare sat his grade 6 national exams and passed with distinction (5 A’s). He was not only ranked the top student in the school, but he had the highest marks out of all students in the entire country! Naturally, Kayitare was over the moon about his well-deserved success. He was granted admission to an excellent school and was allowed to skip to grade 9 given his academic ability. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic his school has been closed so he has missed a lot of time in class learning. Despite this, he will still sit his national exams for grade 9 this year. In the 10th grade, Kayitare hopes to take science-based classes, choosing between either maths, biology and chemistry, or maths, physics and geography. Kayitare is known in MindLeaps as the school genius!
As a student in the MindLeaps virtual academy, Kayitare – like the other students – has been learning with volunteers from the US, so his English has really improved during the pandemic. He was chosen to attend because he really sticks in at school and there is a certain responsibility that comes with showing up to online class on time and actively participating. He has really excelled as a student, achieving distinction grades for his performance and has 100% attendance. Kayitare was also hired as a teaching assistant in the virtual academy during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he has really enjoyed. Even pre-pandemic, Kayitare was known to share his knowledge with other children struggling with their schoolwork in his neighbourhood. He willingly helps them with their homework, especially with maths and science. He also uses this as an opportunity to continue learning as he needs to be well-prepared in order to help the other children successfully. Kayitare says that it is fulfilling to be able to do this, and it allows him to spend time with his friends, too. Thus, despite the challenges that COVID-19 has brought to several of our students, it is evident that Kayitare has maintained a full schedule and his focus on his school work and helping others has not waivered.
Kayitare is a very hardworking, humble, and respectful boy. He enjoys the time he spends studying as he says it gives him hope for the future. He also works very well as a member of a team. Kayitare’s best friend is Samuel, who is the same age as him. They are in the same grade and attend the same school, and Kayitare encourages and helps Samuel with his schoolwork.
Aside from studying, Kayitare likes to play football and dance. This is unusual for children from his neighbourhood, as it is known for petty crime and low levels of community engagement. However, Kayitare’s grit and hard work are really paying off and we are so proud of him. He is succeeding in school with flying colours and never loses focus of where he wants to be in the future. Kayitare dreams of one day becoming an electronic engineer and we are very sure that with his positive attitude and work ethic, he will be able to achieve this dream.
Kayitare has been sponsored in 2020. Choose another student here.