Maranyundo Student Case Study: Marie-Martine Uwera, Maranyundo student class of 2010

1. For how many years did you attend Maranyundo? 2 years

2. Are both of your biological parents alive? No, My dad passed away in 2006
a. No: Are either of them alive?
i.
No: When did they pass?
ii.
Who are your caretakers? My mother
3. Have your caretakers supported you and your goals? Yes, my mom is the most supportive person
I know in my life. Always encourages me to dream big and work smarter.
4. Did your caretakers attend secondary school? Yes
5. Do you have siblings? Yes, I have 2 siblings, an elder sister and younger brother
a. Yes: Do they, have they, or will they attend secondary school? My younger brother graduated
from high school last year and is now preparing to attend college. My elder sister finished
college last year at Oklahoma Christian University, US.
6. Was it easy for your caretakers to send you to school? Not really. Though my mother was
working as a teacher, it was hard for her to cater for our family's education expenses. She
managed to send us to great schools though.
7. No: What challenges did they face? As a teacher, she didn't receive a good salary so the main
challenge was affording our school tuition and fees since she was working alone and all my
siblings and I were in secondary school.
8. Did your caretakers struggle to pay for tuition & textbooks? Sometimes
9. Would you say you did well in school? I didn't do well; I did awesome in school as I knew
education is my only way to a better future for my family and my country. I was always among
the top 2% or 5% in my class at Maranyundo.
a. No: What were you struggling with?
10. When you were enrolled in school, what was your typical day like? At
Maranyundo, my day was pretty busy, and a little bit fun. I woke up at 5:15a.m and
morning preps started at 6:00a.m to 7:00a.m. Then, I would have breakfast for 30min and
go for general cleaning in the dorms, and classes for 30min. My 1st Class started at
8:00a.m. Each period was 50min long and sometimes it could be a double period. At 10:
30 a.m, I had a break for 15min. Lunch was at 12:30p.m and ended at 13:00p.m.

Afternoon classes started at 14:00p.m to 16:30p.m. Then I could get ready for
sports/clubs, which lasted for an hour. I enjoyed playing basketball and was on the school
varsity team. Night preps started at 18:00p.m- 19:00p.m then dinner was ready. Dinner
lasted for about an hour and the last prep/study session went on up to 21:00p.m. Lights
were off in the dorm at 21:45p.m sharp. All students were supposed to be quite and
maintain maximum silence when lights were switched off otherwise we would get
punished.
On Saturdays, we had morning preps for 2 hours and then had free time to do laundry.
After lunch, we had general cleaning which could take 2 hours and then free time again.
After dinner, we had 1 hour and 45min for movie night/ traditional night. Lights in the
dorms were off at 22:00p.m sharp. And on Sundays, we had morning preps for 1hour and
a half then we were all supposed to attend Mass at the Catholic Church outside school. It
was like a 15min walk from school. Such kind of strictness at Maranyundo gave me room
to grow and learn how to use my time effectively. I cherish my experience there that
made me grow into a more responsible and time conscious young lady.
N.B I'm not quite sure about the time I indicated, it's been a long time since I left
Maranyundo.
11. What was your attendance record like? I always attended class
a. When you didnt come to school what were the reasons? I missed class only if I was very sick
and I rarely got sick.
b. Did you go to school while menstruating? Yes
12. Did you like your uniform? Not really, the skirts were really long and slightly uncomfortable.
But, I liked the shirts and school sweater.

13. Did your caretakers get to choose which school you would attend? No, it has been always my
choice and my mom would be supportive of what I want as long as it would serve me favorably
in the future.
a. Yes: How did they decide?
b. Yes: Did you have input in this decision?
14. Would you say your textbooks were in good condition? Yes
15. Do you feel that attending this school has shaped your future? How so?
Definitely yes, my experience at Maranyundo built a strong Foundation for my life. Maranyundo
had a big influence on the growth I have attained so far. Though I wasnt a fan of Nuns
strictness at Maranyundo, it is the reason to why I grew up well. Im successful today because I
got an extraordinary opportunity to study at Maranyundo, which opened my doors to join
Gashora Girls Academy of science and Technology (GGAST) for my high school studies and
later on Duke University. Actually, I joined GGAST knowing what I wanted and how to get it.
My experience at Maranyundo opened my eyes and my mind to think big and see how far I can
get.
Though it did open my eyes, it didnt build the self-esteem I have to date. At Maranyundo
students tended to be shy and less confident due to the strictness of nuns. They were responsible,
hard working, goal-oriented, time conscious learners and all good things, but not students who
would speak out their mind in public. A very few at Maranyundo in our class were outspoken
speakers, but it was due to their previous educational experiences.
Since I left Maranyundo knowing what I wanted and the person I wanted to be in future, I
grabbed lots of opportunities at GGAST. At GGAST, I met students who were more confident
than me. I had always been an excellent student in class and on the basketball court, but I had
never been more than that: I was a good student in a grade book, but suddenly I faced
exceptional students who were extremely confident and outspoken speakers. They were
everything I wanted to be and everything I was not. I cherish my experience at GGAST, which
strengthened me into the person I am today.
While preparing for our school (GGAST) dedication ceremony, the administration wanted a
student to give a speech. When I heard about it, I thought not for me. Surprisingly, I found a
note on my bed from my friend, Joyce, saying how a good writer and speaker I am. She saw a
fabulous Martine who, I didnt know. All night long, I thought about the note, but I still thought
that I was not close to being as good as others. But, I wanted to be the Martine she was seeing.
So, I started drafting a speech; then, I submitted it. I knew I was not going to make it; its just
that I wanted to give it a try.

Incredibly, my speech was selected from a pool of 10 well written speeches. I couldnt believe
that my speech was picked; the other aspiring students were much better than I was. Joyce
applauded me. I felt proud and now just a bit confident. On the eve of the ceremony, a delegation
from the President of Rwandas office came to school and wanted to hear me make the speech.
Despite all the rehearsals I went through, my lips and voice were trembling. Each time I opened
my mouth to read just the first sentence; my voice couldnt let me speak. I didnt understand why
everything was going wrong. Unexpectedly, they told me that I was going to be fine.
Then, the stressful day arrived, and I was called upon to address more than 600 people. I stood
there in front of the First Lady of Rwanda and all I wanted was to go back to my seat and forget I
had ever signed up for such an idea. I was not a speaker; I was just a good student. However,
when I got to the podium, I looked at everyone smiling at me and I saw the confidence they had
in me. I saw the person they saw in me, the person I had never seen: a confident young woman
with opinions that mattered. I opened my mouth and addressed the guests confidently. After the
ceremony, I realized that what was missing in my life was having confidence. I straightened my
shoulders, looked up, smiled and knew I would be that woman from then on.
Four years have passed now and I cannot believe how much I have changed. I'm proud of the
person I have become, the qualities I have gained, all those things that make me an interesting
person just not a good grade on paper. At our schools first graduation, I was recognized with the
Academic Achievement Award as the student with the highest cumulative GPA in the graduating
class. However, the award I am most proud of is the award for the outstanding student in General
Paper, a writing class. That award made me feel that I was more than a grade, but a person with
insightful ideas that I could express well. I graduated with my dream realized. I am a
Maranyundo- G.G.A.S.T - Duke young woman with high self-esteem and as our school says
destined for greatness." Here I am at Duke, I have been successful at Duke and been learning a
lot. I was accepted into the Howard Hughes Research Fellows program, an 8-week intensive
summer research experience and I look forward to it.
I cant end this without saying that the Maranyundo girls that joined GGAST after us the first
graduating class are way much more confident. Im very proud of the Maranyundo girls. They
rock!!!!!!!! Go MGS.Go GGAST..Go Duke
16. What do you want to be when youre older? I want to be a physician particularly a pediatrician,
and a scientist focused on global health issues specifically infectious diseases.
a. Why?
I am a pre-med student and I intend to double major in global health and environmental science.
Since the death of my father in 2006, my passion for health has grown stronger day after day. He
was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis, and died 3 days after. His death was so sudden

that I hardly accepted it. Ever since I was a little kid, I engaged in conversations about health and
was always eager to learn how my body fights against diseases. I grew up reading
science/biology related books and watching science fiction movies was my hobbies and dreamt
of becoming a physician. Right after my fathers death, I discovered another passion that was
hidden in me. I kept on doing research on causes of the infection, how he developed the disease,
disease progression and several other factors involved like delayed yet inadequate medical care.
My mother didnt disclose any information to me about my fathers death cause because I was
young. And she thought that at the age 12, I couldnt understand it anyway so she told me he died
of a serious headache. But she was wrong; being naturally curious drove me to look for answers
until most of my questions were addressed.
I finally learnt that he would have survived meningitis at the risk of possible serious
complications like deafness, brain damage, and neurological problems if skilled medical
personnel promptly gave him sufficient medical care. I remember very well that he was
prescribed with painkillers for 2 days while he was admitted at the hospital and the night before
he died thats when he received antibiotics for the infection after the only doctor with adequate
skills returned from his vacation. It was too late to save him and his death left me with a big
empty space in my heart that can only be filled with my impact on helping others with infectious
diseases to protect the rest of Rwandan society and the rest of the world in going through a
devastating experience I went through as a teenager.
Growing up in a country with a high poverty rate and poor health facilities helped me to
strengthen my compassion for others. Everyday since then, I learn something new about
meningitis and infectious diseases in general. His death led me to strengthen my passion in
scientific research particularly research on infectious/ epidemic diseases such as Ebola and
HIV/AIDS which are associated with several environmental factors.
With a Duke degree, and by that I mean equipped with adequate skills, I will be able to learn
and fully understand how the natural environment directly or indirectly increases the emergence
and spread of infectious diseases. And will return home with new interventions to save lives in
my home country.
After I receive my college degree, I intend to go to medical school, but I'm also interested in
research in immunology. My long-term goal is to pursue Ph.D. degree program in infectious
diseases and Immunity with a research focus on host-pathogen-environmental interactions and
become among the brilliant female physicians leading research on the African continent.
17. What will you be doing now that you graduated?
18. How are you making this decision?
i.
Are you going to consult anyone else while making this decision?
1. Yes: Who?

19. Do you feel prepared for the future? Yes, I do, I feel equipped with basic knowledge, but I still
have room for improvement to be fully prepared for my great future. I should add that I'm
already living my future at Duke university and once I graduate I will be a super skilled global
engaged citizen ready to impact the African continent and the world at large.
20. How would you say you choose your friends? What do you and your friends have in common?
My friends and I have a lot of things in common. We both are in the same line of vision.
They are girls and boys who are passionate about bringing a positive change in Rwanda, Africa
and the world at large. They have big dreams as me. As a matter of fact, all my close friends
from Rwanda won full scholarships to study in the US and Canada. Here at Duke, my close
friends are just like that; they are African and American boys and girls with a vision to impact the
world. I'm also part of the Duke Cardea Fellows, 4-year program for dedicated pre-health Duke
students that serves as a strong supportive family to me.
Most of the times, conversing/chatting is what takes our fun time together. We enjoy sharing
ideas and debating about different social, economical and political issues concerning this rapid
developing world we live in. We watch movies together, listen to music and dance!!!!!!! My
friends and I love partying.
With that said, playing basketball is one of the most memorable moments I have had with my
friends. And, a few weeks ago, I realized my dream of becoming a Duke Cameroon Crazie fan
when I cheered for Duke men's basketball / Blue devils against UNC-Chapel/ Tar Heels. I'm a
big fun of basketball.
21. What would you say makes you unique? This is a pretty challenging question, but I would say
that what makes me unique is my personality and spirit to serve others. My friends come first
and I come last, my community/Rwanda/ Africa comes first and I come last. Whatever I dream
of doing, and of becoming is mainly in the best interest of my family, my country, any
community I live in from time to time and Africa at large.
a. How do you think you have the freedom to express who you are? Everything I have achieved so
far is because I have freedom to express myself. I have been using it effectively to become the
best person I can possibly be.
22. What does success mean to you? Success to me means learning especially by experience and
achieving my goals.

a. According to that definition, are you successful, or will you be? I consider myself successful ad

will be very successful in the future.