Divine, a primary four student, was previously labeled as lazy, slow, and indifferent at her former school. This negative perception was one of the key reasons why Hagari Rwanda worked tirelessly to transfer her and her classmates to Inzozi Academy. For students like Divine, who come from troubled backgrounds, struggling in school is common. However, such challenges should be seen as opportunities for all stakeholders to identify areas where support is most needed.
In September of this year, when Divine joined Inzozi Academy, her new teachers recognized these challenges. Rather than labeling her, they focused on supporting her through a specialized and individualized learning environment. This tailored approach has proven to be the catalyst for Divine’s transformation.
At Inzozi Academy, the teacher-student ratio in primary four is an impressive 1:6. With one teacher overseeing just six students, every child, including Divine, is actively engaged in their learning. This structure has eliminated the problem of laziness by ensuring that each student is meaningfully involved. Furthermore, teachers at Inzozi are empowered to integrate the academy’s core values into their lessons. Two of these values—excellence and responsibility—have played a significant role in addressing Divine’s tardiness and indifference. Divine now understands that being slow and indifferent prevents her from doing her best, leaving opportunities unfulfilled.
Mr. Siabo, her Bible study teacher, shared his perspective: “She now embodies a spirit of curiosity, a hunger for knowledge, and a deep faith. Her progress is a testament to the power of hope, education, and spiritual guidance.”
Academically, Divine lost valuable time during her earlier years when she struggled and disengaged. Her teachers at Inzozi Academy are now helping her catch up on the content she missed. They are mindful of the “Matthew Effect”—a phenomenon where students who start their education strong continue to excel, while those who begin poorly tend to struggle later. With Divine’s newfound positive attitude, her teachers are confident that her learning journey can be turned around.
Through its mission of reimagining education, Hagari Rwanda, alongside Inzozi Academy, is committed to empowering and equipping young lives like Divine’s. A heartfelt thanks goes out to the well-wishers who generously donate towards the purchase of learning materials and the development of Inzozi Academy—an institution transforming the future of education in Rwanda.
