Sammy 1
Inzozi AcademyStudent Story

LEARNING, GROWING, BELIEVING

Meet Sammy, a five-year-old boy in Nursery 3 whose journey at school began with quiet struggles that were not always easy to notice at first glance. Born as the second child in his family, Sammy entered the term with undeveloped gross and fine motor skills that made even the simplest classroom tasks feel overwhelming.

From the start, it was clear that Sammy found it difficult to keep up with activities that required coordination and control. Tasks like holding a pencil, gripping crayons, or cutting with scissors were a challenge.

During practical life lessons and physical education, he often struggled to complete activities that his peers handled with ease. While other children played and interacted freely, Sammy kept to himself. He rarely socialized, choosing instead to work alone, quietly navigating a world that felt just a little too demanding for him. Academically, his difficulties showed in the smallest but most important skills. He could not confidently hold writing tools, making it hard for him to form letters or participate fully in classroom exercises. Behaviorally, he hesitated to speak, avoided group interactions, and preferred isolation over engagement. It wasn’t that he lacked ability—it was that he needed time, patience, and the right support to unlock it.

Then, a gradual transformation began.

His teachers recognized that Sammy didn’t just need instruction—he needed intentional guidance. They introduced consistent, hands-on activities aimed at strengthening his fine motor skills. Day after day, he practiced folding materials, squeezing towels, cutting shapes, and engaging in structured tasks that built his hand strength and coordination. During physical education, his teachers patiently simplified activities, breaking them down into manageable steps and slowly increasing the level of challenge as his confidence grew. Equally important was the emotional support he received. His teachers gently encouraged him to answer questions in class, to stand and present, and to join his peers during playtime. They created a safe environment where Sammy felt seen, supported, and capable.

At home, his parents played a vital role in reinforcing this progress. They worked closely with the teachers, seeking guidance on how to support their son beyond the classroom. Following the school’s advice, they reduced his screen time and involved him in simple but effective activities like sorting beans and rice—small tasks that strengthened his coordination. They encouraged him to engage in light physical activities such as jogging and made sure he had opportunities to play with other children in the neighborhood. Their consistency and patience became a strong pillar in Sammy’s growth.

Today, Sammy is a completely transformed child.

Academically, he can now confidently hold a pencil and write letters, words, sentences, and even short texts. His artwork reflects remarkable improvement —he pays attention to margins and boundaries, and his coloring and painting are much clearer and more controlled.

Behaviorally, the change is just as powerful. Sammy no longer isolates himself. He interacts freely with his classmates, chats comfortably, and willingly answers questions during lessons. He actively participates in group assignments, showing a sense of belonging that was once missing.

Even more inspiring are his strengths. Sammy now demonstrates precision in practical life activities, carefully completing tasks that once seemed impossible. During physical education, he shows determination, often pushing himself to complete more complex activities with growing confidence. Sammy’s journey is a powerful reminder that growth does not happen overnight—but with patience, consistency, and collaboration, it always comes. Through the dedication of his teachers and the unwavering support of his parents, Sammy has moved from hesitation to confidence, from isolation to connection.

Today, school is no longer a place of struggle for Sammy. It is a place where he thrives, explores, and believes in his own abilities—a place where a once- quiet boy is now boldly writing his own story. 

Mama Belyse
Family of Hagari

Building Hope One Step at A Time

Alphonsine is a resilient mother of three children, living with her husband and raising a family of five. Her journey reflects determination, faith, and the power of consistent effort supported by community empowerment.

Alphonsine joined a Hagari Rwanda savings group with a vision to improve her family’s livelihood. With a starting capital of 5,000 Rwandan francs ($3.45), she launched a small vegetable business near her home, selling items such as carrots, eggplants, tomatoes, and onions. She focused not only on selling but also on building trust with her customers, even offering home delivery services to strengthen relationships and grow her client base.

Through discipline and perseverance, Alphonsine successfully grew her business capital from 5,000 RWF ($3.45) to 20,000 RWF ($13.79). She now earns an average daily profit of 3,000 RWF ($2.07), which has significantly contributed to her household’s stability. Together with her husband, she adopted a structured savings strategy, contributing to three different savings groups: 1,000 RWF (69 cents) daily, 2,000 RWF ($1.38) weekly, and 4,000 RWF ($2.76) weekly. Her husband complements these efforts through casual labor, supporting rent and other basic family needs. Their collaboration and joint financial decision-making have strengthened their partnership and family unity.

After stabilizing her business, Alphonsine set a new and ambitious goal—to acquire land. Despite initially targeting land worth 300,000 RWF ($207), her continued commitment to saving enabled her to surpass this goal. She successfully purchased a plot of land valued at 600,000 RWF ($414) (10m x 20m) in Bugesera District, Eastern Province, marking a major milestone in her journey toward long-term security.

Her path, however, was not without challenges. Alphonsine faced multiple setbacks, including the confiscation of her goods due to informal trading and being repeatedly chased from her selling location. She also endured physical strain during pregnancy while caring for a young child. Despite these hardships, she remained steadfast and refused to give up. Her resilience and work ethic continue to define her progress.

Alphonsine expresses deep gratitude to Hagari Rwanda for its holistic support to her family, particularly in covering her child’s school fees. This assistance eased her financial burden and allowed her to focus on expanding her business. She also values the consistent follow-up and encouragement from the social worker, which has played a key role in maintaining family unity and focus.

Beyond economic growth, Alphonsine experienced a profound spiritual transformation. Through Hagari’s teachings, she gained a deeper understanding of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. During one of the sessions, she made a personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Today, she actively participates in church and testifies that the Word of God has nurtured patience and forgiveness in her life, strengthening her relationship with her husband.

She also celebrates the positive development of her child, who is growing into a responsible and intelligent young girl—an outcome that brings her great joy and hope for the future.

In her own words, Alphonsine shares her heartfelt appreciation:

“Thank you for teaching our children and caring for us as a family. May God bless you and provide all that you need. May Hagari Rwanda continue to grow and impact many more lives." - Alphonsine