1. Purpose and Vision – by Hezbon Otieno Oduol
Purpose and Vision: My Rwandan Story
Like so many young people who have just completed their university studies and are about to graduate, I
did not know what I wanted to do with my life after completing my studies at Moi University in Eldoret,
Kenya. But what set me apart from my peers was that I had the honour and privilege of being a member
of an international student organization called AIESEC. But what is AIESEC?AIESEC is an
international student organization that enables young people to explore and develop their leadership
potential by taking up leadership roles and get hands on work experience as well as develop themselves
personally and professionally. One of AIESEC’s platforms for developing global leaders of tomorrow is
the Global Community Development Program, popularly known as GCDP, whereby undergraduates
and recent graduates of universities volunteer to undertake a community development project in a country
of their choice for a minimum of 6 weeks.
Yes I did not know exactly what to do, but because of AIESEC I had endless GCDP opportunities and
136 AIESEC member countries to choose from. All that I needed to do was to pick a project in a
country of my choice and set off in an adventure. It is because of the AIESEC GCDP program that I am
telling you this story.
2. My country of choice was Rwanda and on 27th
March 2015 I set sail from Kenya in an adventure that
many didn’t understand. Why Rwanda they asked? Why go and teach English they quizzed? To me these
questions seemed funny because having been an AIESECer for 3 years I was able to see what they were
not seeing. Rwanda is a country that has undergone mind boggling challenges in its past and over the past
decade it has been making effort to overcome them. In recent years Rwanda has achieved spectacular
results in many areas. In line with the UN Millennium Development Goals, the country has significantly
reduced poverty, as well as removed all kinds of bureaucratic and cultural obstacles that inhibit women
from participating in politics and the economy. Rwanda has also rationalized the bureaucracy, making
Rwanda the destination of choice for businesses. The civil service is efficient. Today Rwanda is one of
the safest, not to mention the cleanest, countries in Africa, despite coming out of the apocalyptic 1994
genocide, just a few years ago. Experts now say that Rwanda is poised to become the “Singapore Of
Africa” in the next couple of years. Today, Rwanda, a small country in population and size, is a regional
diplomatic giant. These positive developments have engendered hope and pride in a country that, in 1994,
had descended to the lowest depths of human hopelessness and depravity. Its incredible culture, people
and even the country itself just shows you that there is still a lot to see and learn through opportunities
like teaching.
3. One of the hardest tasks in this world is to train and inspire young minds. I did the Native School Project
at AIESEC in Musanze, in North Rwanda. This was an English language project that I did for 3 months.
I taught English at Busogo II Secondary School and at the local health center. I got the opportunity to
teach students from grade 7 to 9.Rwanda transitioned from French to English in 2009 and my main task
was to help the students to understand and improve their English speaking and writing skills. This was an
awesome project that enabled me to grow personally and professionally. Initially I worked in this project
with 4 other AIESEC interns from Kenya i.e. Habel, Julie, Andrew and Leah Watetu, but after these 4 left
I was joined by Cinday, Joy, Lydia and Faith, also from Kenya. Working as a team was one of the things
that I really appreciated about this project. Team work enabled us to cover many topics, make our work
effortless and to be able to help the students grasp concepts faster and better their English language.
4. One of my challenging moments was when I had to run the project alone for 3 weeks because the initial 4
AIESEC interns went back to Kenya after completing their term. I did all the work by myself such as
training and making follow ups but through hard work I was able to accomplish all that I was supposed to
do. The experience enabled me to grow even stronger. Later on another team of AIESECers from Kenya
joined me.
My proudest moments were when the students improved their English speaking and writing skills and
were even in a position to ask questions and seek clarifications. My effort was paying off.
The University Of Rwanda – Busogo campus, where AIESEC in Musanze is based, normally conducts
English training sessions every Thursday for its students through The Career Center. The purpose is to
help the students improve their English writing and speaking skills. I participated actively in these
sessions to help myself and the students to improve their English language skills. I believe that active
participation of AIESEC interns in such sessions will have a huge impact in this university interms of the
students improving their language skills.
5. Not only did I participate in the project, I also did help in the activities of AIESEC in Musanze when
called upon. I helped in the recruitment of new members and training the members on the usage of the
AIESEC Global Information System (EXPA).I also helped in making sure that members of AIESEC
in Musanze have a better understanding of AIESEC and have a meaningful experience in AIESEC.
6. My activities were not restricted only at AIESEC in Musanze, I also visited other AIESEC entities in
Rwanda such as AIESEC in Huye, in South Rwanda. My main purpose was to learn from the members
and their executive board (EB) and to share ideas. I also got the opportunity to learn about their projects.
7. I cannot describe in words all my experience in Rwanda but one sentence is enough to sum it up: It was
incredible and amazing. After coming back to Kenya I realize the incredible impact my Rwandan
experience has had on me.
I am now more positive about life
I am deeply connected with my deeper self
I feel that I can now be able to better handle any challenges that come my way
Am still not yet done with AIESEC, I still look forward to participate in the AIESEC Global Internship
Program (GIP) in order to continue developing the leader in me and to have a positive impact in the
world.
8. Why Should You Go For Exchange Through The AIESEC Global Community Development
Program?
One quick question to you. What sets you apart from the next person having a degree just like you?
This is what sets me apart. The international experience that I have acquired and the one that I will
continue to get. All this is made possible by the AIESEC Global Community Development Program.
Because of this experience I am in a position to compete at an international level, I can work with people
from different cultures and I can be able to adapt and thrive in any environment.
A boat is in danger of being destroyed out in the sea. But was a boat made to stay at the harbor?
We need to find the courage to move from the known to the unknown (terra incognita).We need to find
the courage to step out of our comfort zones in order to realize what we are truly capable of. The world
has infinite possibilities and we can only realize this if we are willing to step out of our comfort zone. All
this can be made possible through the AIESEC Global Community Development Program.
Sometimes it’s not easy. Moving from the known to the unknown is one of the toughest decisions you
can ever make but this experience can sharpen you into a better person. Right now I can better handle any
situation that comes my way because I have been tested personally and professionally. I am now aware of
my strengths and weaknesses.
9. Many years ago the great British explorer George Mallory, who was to die on Mount Everest, was asked
why he wanted to climb it. He said,”Because it is there.”
Well, the world is there, and we are supposed to explore it, the countries and the continents are there, and
new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. The world is literally there for you to set out and explore
while growing personally and professionally. What are you waiting for? Contact AIESEC in Moi or the
local AIESEC committee in your respective universities or campuses and find out how you can embark
one of the greatest adventures: Going out for AIESEC exchange program.
