It’s no secret that education is key to one’s success. Yet, the idea of going back to school, primary to be exact, as an adult can seem daunting. Things are a lot more complex than they were at the time one would’ve completed. As a much older person, the idea of being ridiculed is enough to halt anyone’s desire to go through with this. Although the idea of going back to finish a certain level of education can be overwhelming—and even a bit scary—it’s worth it in the long run.
Take 41-year old Aline Mutembayire, a mother of seven currently living in Ngoma sector, Huye District, for example, who decided to resume primary school 27 years later.
She is one of 254,678 pupils who sat for their Primary Leaving Examinations from July 12 to 14, 2021, and attends school with her daughter, a Primary Five pupil, at New Vision Primary School in Huye.
Aline Mutembayire with some of her classmates. She is one of 254,678 pupils who sat for their Primary Leaving Examinations this year. Photos/Courtesy
Her story dates back to 1994. As a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, depression and trauma resulting from her mother’s death and being orphaned, as well as unexpected duties at such young age— struggling to raise her one-year-old sister and eight-year old brother—put an end to her studies.
And so to her, resuming school and sitting for Primary Leaving Exams at the age of 41 is part of the celebration of the 27th anniversary of Liberation Day.
Her story
Mutembayire, along with her brother and sister, survived the Genocide in Kigali when she was 13 years old. At the time, she was in Primary Six at St Famille in Kigali.
"The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi started when we were living in Kabeza. We left home on April 9 and went to seek refuge in a church in Giporoso, Remera. I was with my mother, my baby sister and brother. On the way, one Interahamwe-militia man requested money from my mother so as to not kill us,” Mutembayire says.
She recalls that the church was neither safe nor secure as her mother was eventually killed by militia.
Her mother, she says, was shot dead with her one-year-old baby sister on her back. She remained lying among dead people for several hours, with the child who was still alive.
"Interahamwe also brought trucks of mentally ill people who were being treated at Ndera Hospital to kill them.
"Unbelievably, one of the sick people who survived noticed my dead mother with the child on her back and took the baby to another nearby mother.
"This woman brought the baby to where we were hiding near the church. She (the baby) had been bitten by ants all over her body but survived,” she narrates.
Mutembayire says that they continued to flee the attacks and sought refuge in different places, including former ETO-Kicukiro (currently IPRC-Kigali), Gikondo, Nyamirambo, Collège Saint André, among other places.
"We survived while in refuge at Collège Saint André when the Rwanda Patriotic Army rescued us. Later, we joined an orphanage in Saint Paul. This is how we later joined some relatives who had also survived,” she says.
They were raised in different families as orphans, mostly by relatives. Her sister is currently a university graduate, and the brother a hotel manager.
"I got married in 2003 and worked hard to be able to cater for my children,” she says.
"Even though they struggled through life, a baby who survived while on her mother’s back has finished her university education thanks to the government’s support.
"Because of depression and trauma, I never thought of going back to school. I chose to let my sister and brother pursue their education. Today, I am proud of them,” she says.
"I opened a food shop in Kigali before relocating to Huye in 2020 after a short course in culinary arts. I am doing the same in Huye,” she says.
Back to school
"On my first day of enrolment, I was curious about the current environment of studying because before the Genocide, we used to study in Kinyarwanda and French. I had to adapt to English. However, before enrolment, I had taken some English courses so that helped.
"I had a sense of joy because I was finally working on a goal to continue my studies, but of course I thought about how to deal with the children and teachers. On the way to school, people looked at me and some even mocked me. But I was never discouraged.
"I sit on the same desk with my classmates and we do schoolwork and other exercises together.
"However, it took me about two weeks to get used to the children’s noise and other disturbances.
She says she feels delighted when she goes to school with her daughter. It makes her proud. On the way to and from school, they talk about lessons and teachers.
"I also consulted her when I was preparing for exams. You know you have to master lessons through all academic years,” Mutembayire says.
It’s been 27 years since Mutembayire attended school, and, she says, she is proud of this decision as it is a way of liberating herself.
She says that she thought of going back to school in 2007 but failed to do so.
"My husband and children have supported and encouraged me. I have a target to study until I finish university. I was also inspired by President Kagame’s speech about fighting for dignity and self-reliance. I have all the opportunities. I have also taken short courses in culinary arts, among other courses, but was never satisfied,” she says.
She has seven children, including the one she goes to school with, a son in Primary Two and three sons in Nursery Three. Her oldest son attends university abroad and the other is in Senior Four.
Naturally, her biggest challenge is people who try to discourage her from pursuing this, but, she says, with her family’s support, she has all the encouragement she needs.
"My advice to anyone who wants to beat odds in life is to do their best. What others might think is impossible, can be possible. School dropouts should resume school if they have the opportunity to do so. I realised it is a normal thing.
"Do not listen to people who discourage you, but focus on what will secure your life, as long as you are committed, you will succeed.”