A group of Rwandan youth and their parents from Belgium are in Rwanda for a 10-day cultural study tour organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The visit, which began on February 20 at Ntare Louisenlund School in Bugesera District, is part of a biennial program by Ishuri Umuco, a Rwanda–Belgium–based initiative located that promotes Rwandan culture and Kinyarwanda among children born or raised abroad. The visiting group consists of 62 people, mostly students. On the first day, they participated in a variety of activities, including lessons, games, traditional dance, singing, and many other cultural experiences at Ntare school. ALSO READ: Diaspora youth urged to lead Rwanda’s rebirth Lynne Karemera, 19, said Ishuri Umuco has greatly helped her. Although she already spoke Kinyarwanda with her mother, she had not learned to read or write the language. “Coming to Rwanda helps us understand what the country is really like. We loved how beautiful it is, how warmly people welcome us, the culture, and the way people behave. We enjoyed learning traditional dance and truly appreciated our teachers,” she said. She was also happy to make new Rwandan friends who share her cultural identity. For Ian Mugisha, 16, living in Belgium is enjoyable, but it does not fully reflect his Rwandan culture. “It’s a good initiative from our parents and from the group to teach us Rwandan culture by bringing us to Rwanda. These are moments we will never forget.” “While in Rwanda, I learned how to count, do calculations, understand family relationships, and practice traditional dance every day. We also played and spent time with our friends,” he added. Marie Claire Mukashyaka, a parent of four students, said the program has strengthened her children’s identity. “Our children grow up thinking Belgium is their only home. When we bring them together with fellow Rwandans, they begin to learn about their heritage. Even if they do not speak Kinyarwanda fluently, they understand it and love it.” Eric Twagirimana, director of the initiative, said it was founded in 2019 to teach children Kinyarwanda and Rwandan culture. ALSO READ: 'Rwanda gives inviting energy to live here,' say diaspora living in South Africa Having left Rwanda at age 12, Twagirimana realised he was not fluent in Kinyarwanda and lacked full knowledge of his culture. When his children began asking about their origins, it inspired him to start the school. “The school meets twice a month on weekends, with some parents attending. Each three-hour session includes two hours of Kinyarwanda lessons and one hour of traditional dance. Participation has grown to over 60 students,” he said. He added that the second visit shows a noticeable change in the children’s mindset, with many now strongly identifying as Rwandan. According to Sandrine Maziyateke Uwimbabazi, Director of the Rwanda Community Abroad at the ministry, the program strengthens cultural identity and academic motivation among diaspora children. “It is a program they wished to continue, coming to Rwanda for training and cultural immersion because they took the initiative to teach Kinyarwanda, traditional dance, and our culture to their children born abroad,” she explained. For the program to run smoothly, the , the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, the Ministry of Youth, the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy, and other institutions. The visit comes ahead of the International Mother Language Day on February 21, and participants will celebrate while continuing lessons and touring the country. Uwimbabazi added that the program aligns with Rwanda’s NST2 and Vision 2050 objectives, helping diaspora Rwandans gain knowledge, promote cultural diplomacy, and encouraging parents to teach Kinyarwanda at home to preserve cultural identity.
