Profile: A glimpse in a school proprietor‘s life

Most of Rwanda’s current CEO, Managers, Lawyers and other professionals were at one time taught by Francoise Nyirantagorama, whether in exile or back here? The 71 year old woman is the owner of ‘La Colombiere Nursery, Primary and Secondary School. Born in Rwanda, she is the daughter of the late Froduald Sehene and Asteria Muhundekazi. “I attended Nyanza Primary school, and then joined Save Teacher Training College in Butare, the current Huye District,” Nyirantagorama narrates. She started teaching in 1958 at Ecole Menagerie in Nyanza. While at the School she trained girls how to do housekeeping, “During the 1959-1960 insurgencies in Rwanda we were forced into exile. Our family moved to neighboring Burundi,” she explains. Nyirantagorama says that while in Burundi, she got married to late Appollinarie Nyirubutama and they were blessed with two sons and four daughters. “In Burundi I resumed teaching and I worked with Stella Matutine. The school comprised of foreigners and was managed by the Catholic Church,” she recalls. Later, she started her own school and called it La Colombiere which is French and literally means ‘Where the doves live’. Returning back from exile after the 1994 genocide against Tutsi, she started another La Colombiere in Rwanda “In February 1995 La Colombiere Nursery and Primary School started in Remera. The Secondary school opened its doors in September the same year,” Nyirantagorama enlightens. The school later moved to Kacyiru, Kamutwa cell. Its one of the Schools that molds Rwanda‘s future generation. While growing up, Nyirantagorama always loved children, the reason she ended up in the teaching profession. “There is nothing better than teaching. In this profession we aim at molding children mentally and morally upright so they become great citizens,” she emphasizesCurrently she does not teach, but helps in the administration of the school. According to Martine Umubyeyi, Deputy Principal of La Colombiere, Nyirantagorama cares for vulnerable people. “She takes in children who have no hope of attaining school fees. After the 1994 genocide against Tutsi she adopted some children,” Umubyeyi reveals She adds that Nyirantagorama is hard working and still involved in the school duties. Sandra Cyamweshi, FINA Bank’s legal and recovery Manager‘s views Nyirantagorama as almost a saint. “I have known her all my life, she strives for the best. Every time I came with unpleasing results, she would make fun of me and question my position. She taught me at some point,” Cyamweshi explains who is a niece of Nyirantagorama. “I remember that her strictness used to annoy me but I realized its importance when I grew up.” Says Cyamweshi Her Favorites Dish: - Fruits and vegetables Colour: - Red Music: - slow music Dorau20@yahoo.co.uk