Kaje - Rise & Shine, a solo exhibition by visual artist Henry Munyaneza, unveils a true story of triumph and resilience of Jeannette Kawera, a reporter for The New Times. The exhibition kicked off on November 11 at Neza-H Art Space, and will run until November 18. It features 11 digital paintings portraying Kawera's transformative journey and her impact on the world through her dedicated journalism, content creation, and humanitarian work. ALSO READ: The New Times journalist recognised for battle on period poverty among rural girls It also commemorates her 10-year anniversary as a journalist and serves as a tribute to her late father, who passed away when she was only three months old. According to Munyaneza, Kaje - Rise & Shine” also serves as a reminder that dreams, without concrete goals, remain mere aspirations. “Kaje's story inspires us to persevere, even when we feel alone in our journey because the unwavering consistency of a single drop of water has the power to erode even the mightiest of rocks,” he said. During the exhibition's opening day, Kawera shared her childhood passion with the visitors, recounting how she and her twin sister used to adore listening to the radio, even playfully dismantling it to catch a glimpse of the unseen journalists behind the voices. Becoming a journalist had always been my dream, she emphasised as she introduced the first piece in the exhibition. Another artwork, Invisible Mentor, vividly portrays how Kawera's late father remained a guiding presence in her life. She saw him as the brightest star in the night sky, believing his light continued to shine and illuminate her path. I always thought that my father was somewhere looking up on me and so, I perceived him as my invisible mentor, Kawera asserted. She revealed that prior to joining the first media house in 2017, she had been writing for various magazines and blogs since 2013, all the while maintaining secrecy, never attaching her byline to the stories. Two artworks illustrate such a covert journey: one, her secret pursuit of online journalism studies hidden from her family, and the other, and the challenges she faced while crafting stories anonymously—a journey she said was full of difficulties. Another artwork titled Silent Battle conveys various stories pursued by Kawera as a journalist, focusing on her quest for justice on behalf of the vulnerable. It also portrays the hurdles she encountered and overcame during her journey. She said her approach to facing the challenges involves both prayer and writing. “In those silent battles, it's possible to pursue your dreams,” she continued. “There were moments when I faced challenges, such as a broken arm and lack of support from some individuals. Nevertheless, I persevered. I always had my invisible mentor to inspire me, and I was determined to make him proud. So, despite all, I continued to move forward. Kawera's untold stories, those that remained hidden and unspoken, find their expression in an art piece titled Stories Beyond Words. In every challenge you face, there is always a path to rise and shine. No matter how many times you stumble, you can still illuminate your way, Kawera said, describing another artwork Rise & Shine, which holds her personal motto “Rise & Shine” also inked on her arm. She also revealed that following her father's passing in the month of November, she associated it with sorrow. However, in 2017, she celebrated her graduation in November, which changed her perception of the month's significance. “November became a month of action for me,” she said, adding that it was on November 12, 2022, when she spearheaded a campaign to combat period poverty by supplying sanitary pads to underprivileged rural girls. Furthermore, the date of 11 holds a special place in her heart as it marks her birthday, coinciding with the total number of artworks in the exhibition, which is 11. This is portrayed in another artwork, where a tattoo of significant dates graces her left shoulder. The concluding artwork in the exhibition highlights the awards Kawera received in recognition of her contributions as a journalist and humanitarian. They encompass the 2022 Female Entertainment Journalist of the Year Awards presented by Karisimbi Events, as well as two Special Recognition Awards: the 2021 Humanitarian Award, earned through her 'Fight Against Period Poverty Campaign' in the Consumers Choice Awards, and the 2022 Excellence Service Award bestowed by B4B, among others. Kawera invites people to visit the exhibition, especially on November 13, a special day to pay tribute to her late father. Admission is free, and attendees can also join the closing ceremony on November 18. The doors will be open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
