Angelique Ishimwe represented Rwanda in the Commonwealth Leadership Summit (Nkabom) that took place in Kigali. Teen Times is happy to hang out with her.

Briefly tell us about Nkabom

Nkabom is a Ghanaian word which means coming together. This conference started in 2004 and it’s organized by the Royal Commonwealth Society.

How did you join the summit?

Well I applied like everyone else and my application alongside that of the five other Rwandans was approved.

How did you find the conference?

The conference was very educative. It’s been one of the turning points in my life.

What did you learn from the summit?

We learnt how to acquire solutions for a conflict by tapping its core cause. This is going to be the core component in peace building because most people try to solve problems from the top rather than from the bottom.

Any special moments experienced during Nkabom?

First I met so many exciting peace builders from the commonwealth. These young men and women were very inspirational. They shared a lot about their countries that I did not know about. They taught me how the youth fully engage in national building.

What plans do you have after Nkabom?

I and fellow participants from Rwanda are laying strategies on how we are going to share with every youth what we learnt from Nkabom. We are also partnering with other participants from the African region to share our experiences with the entire continent.

What was the most memorable incident about Nkabom?

Well there are so many great moments but I think the visit to the Role Model Village of unity and reconciliation was so great. Seeing the survivors of genocide living peacefully with those who committed genocide was extraordinary!

Do you have any message for the youth out there?

I would like to ask them to leave their comfort zones and change the world. If we do not engage today, then we shall never have another chance. Let’s join hands and build a better tomorrow.  To the Nkabomers, thank you so much for being great visitors.

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