Green Hills Academy (GHA) Alumni on Friday held its Alumni Gala Dinner at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel. The Alumni Gala that was meant to connect old girls and boys brought together hundreds of students who’ve studied at the Nyarutarama-based school. In her speech, Paula Ingabire Musoni, the Minister for ICT and Innovation challenged GHA Alumni to lead the country to the next level. “There are so many professionals here and I believe each one of you has what it takes to contribute to our country. There are so many gains that have happened in the last 25 years and my challenge to you is to find a way of how to safe guard the gains made so far. Let’s continue giving our all to this country.” The Chairman, Board of Directors of Green Hills Academy, Faustin Mbundu, asked the GHA Alumni to remain relevant and keep building the GHA brand. “The challenge to you the Alumni is to ask yourselves what you have done to improve the school’s brand. We shall grow stronger if we pool resources. There are no bigger ambassadors like you.” Faustin Mbundu, the chairman, Board of Directors of GHA gives his remarks at the dinner. Robert Kayitani, the president of GHA’s Alumni thanked the school for giving former students a 15% discount on their children’s school fees and pledged to bridge the gap between the school, the students and the Alumni. “I believe creating an engaged, supportive Alumni network is crucial not only important to GHA but to our society’s success. If communication was to stop once graduates left school, the understanding of the school’s values would become stale but instead we should opt for good Alumni relationships in order to attract many benefits to both the school and the Alumni.” At the event, former students of GHA also held a moment of silence for their deceased colleague, Jackson Musoni, who passed away in an accident aboard an Ethiopian airlines plane in March. The Alumni Dinner was also an opportunity to recognise teachers who have been with the school for a long time. Teachers, Mathias Nkeeto and Paul Ogaa were awarded certificates of recognition for their outstanding contribution to the school. GHA Alumni, staff and board members pose for a photo after the dinner. Jean-Michel Habineza, Alice Higiro and MalaikaUwamahoro were also recognised as outstanding former students who are contributing to the development of the country. Mrs Anne Bagabe, the High School Principal asked the Alumni to work with the school in whatever capacity since most of them are from different professions. “We have started a mentor-ship program and we are counting on you former students to help us enrich our students with skills and guidance. We need new ideas, especially from you young people because Green Hills is your school just like it was when you were there”. Since its inception in 1997, Green Hills Academy now has four schools: Kindergarten, Primary, Middle School and the High School. Entertainment at the GHA Alumni Dinner was provided by Neptunes Band together with Mike Kayihura, also a GHA old boy, who played some of his hit songs. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
