Category: Uncategorized

After careful thought, I’ve realized what I admire most in all my favorite people is their grit. I love people with grit—actual grit—the drive to push harder for what they believe in. I crave that kind of optimization, a journey that transforms me into my favorite version of myself.

Waking up and going to work everyday, spending an hour at night watching reels, playing cute little games on my phone, reading cute little stories, and consuming cute little movies is fun. I won’t deny it—I love it. It makes life more bearable. But is it really? Now, I spend half of my life consuming information and earning money, and this feels like it could be my life forever.

But this isn’t who I thought I would be when I was a child, I wanted to be a hero, I wanted to live my life to the fullest, I was curious and enthusiastic about everything. The world was very much my oyster. It made sense then—I was a child, untouched by society’s expectations. I was my original self, or as Robin Sharma says, I still had my genius.

'Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” — Steve Jobs

For a long time, I’ve been coddling my potential. We all know we’re capable of greatness, yet we play it safe. We choose the less risky option. We spend time focusing on things that can get us a job in two months, and when we get the job, we get too busy being busy.

We forget who we wanted to be in the first place. But the money is good, we get a promotion, and the next thing we know, we’re comfortable. We lose our grit. We become a mediocre version of ourselves. And when people ask us to do better, we tell ourselves, 'I’m doing my best.'

I’ve never done my 'best.' I’ve always done what was easier, what I could manage at the moment, what felt possible from my perspective. I think it all started the last year of secondary school when I gave up on chemistry because it got hard. Then I gave up on finishing my book when my characters became too complicated. I gave up on a lot of things. You could say I’ve been a quitter.

My best could probably have built a spaceship by now, my best is such a great version of the person I am if I didn’t have doubt, laziness and greed. My best would save the world. Now imagine if we all did our best? Like our absolute best?

In my society, we often cringe at people who are trying too hard. Anytime someone calls themselves a history maker, an empire builder, or an entrepreneur, we roll our eyes. It’s as if the idea that someone might want to create something great is unfathomable.

But now I get it. The only person stopping me from becoming myself is me. So how do I go back? Where’s the step-by-step guide?

'Push yourself to do more and to experience more. Harness your energy to start expanding your dreams. Yes, expand your dreams. Don’t accept a life of mediocrity when you hold such infinite potential within the fortress of your mind. Dare to tap into your greatness.' —Robin Sharma, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

Sounds simple enough, right?

But here’s the thing about grit—they never really teach us how to maintain it. We can get motivated in seconds, but keeping the grit for something you want is hard. And there’s no cheat code for it because it’s all in your head. You either have it or you don’t.

One day, you want something badly; the next month, not having it doesn’t seem so bad. And so we end up with failed ‘piped’ dreams and forgotten projects because the passion we once had fades.

Like Robin Sharma said, 'You’ll never take the world to a place higher than you’ve visited internally.'
Since starting my periodic publications, I realize I sound like a motivator. So, I figured its time to start becoming the person I write about in these articles.

I believe it begins by building a deep intimacy with my own mortality. Spoiler alert: eventually, I will turn to dust and be forgotten. So, why make life about ego, the nice car, the big house, or the powerful demeanor? Who do I really want to be in this brief life of mine?

I want to be seen as a curious person, deeply interested in life, someone with genuine experiences and meaningful connections. I want to be skilled at my craft so I can focus less on being likable and more on loving the people in my life. At the end of the day, success is tied to matters of the heart.

It’s never just about mindset—it’s also about heartset, healthset, and soulset. Wanting that big office in a successful company doesn’t come from a safe space. It often comes from a mind that’s insecure, self-loathing, and in need of something external to fill an internal void.

'Great lives, great art, great businesses—great anything—don’t come from your mind; they come from your heart.' —Robin Sharma

Revolutionizing your existence means showing up more as yourself every day—waking up with grit and passion, existing boldly, and doing things that help you reconnect with your higher self.

Whether it’s waking up an hour earlier to do those assisted pushups, meditating, journaling, or decluttering—it will be done. It’s about committing to these actions because we need to cultivate resilience for our dreams. Mastery over our minds, hearts, health, and souls empowers us to achieve what our inner genius have always wanted.

There is more to who you are than even the people who raised you or the friends who know you best can see. Only you can truly sit down and discover what’s worth living for—something bigger than yourself.

For Mother Teresa, it was helping people; for Nelson Mandela, it was fighting for his people; for Malala Yousafzai, it was advocating for girls’ education; for Martin Luther King Jr., it was seeking justice and equality; for Rosa Parks, it was standing up for civil rights.

For Mahatma Gandhi, it was leading through nonviolence; for Wangari Maathai, it was protecting the environment; for Eleanor Roosevelt, it was advocating for human rights; for Albert Einstein, it was unlocking the mysteries of the universe; for Marie Curie, it was advancing scientific discovery; for Harriet Tubman, it was liberating the oppressed.

What will it be for you?

The author is a Digital Strategist, Creative Entrepreneur and Passionate Mental Health Advocate

Laurie Ihirwe Sheja

Addressing the press in Kigali on Sunday, October 13, 2024, Dr. Brian Chirombo, the WHO Representative in Rwanda, saluted the health workers as the heroes of the outbreak, noting that specialist health workers were most affected at the onset.

'The health workers were actually affected while working hard to save lives. They have put their lives on the line, and some of them have succumbed. They are the heroes of this outbreak. Even after some of their colleagues died early on, many of these healthcare workers and experts continue to work tirelessly, risking their lives,' he stated.

'Of course, the government and ourselves are working to ensure that they are kept safe while working, but the risks are not zero. These healthcare workers continue to face danger every day to save lives,” he added.

Dr. Chirombo also commended the measures implemented by the Rwandan government to contain the outbreak. He criticized those imposing travel and trade restrictions on Rwanda, arguing that significant progress has been made to combat the Marburg virus.

'The measures taken by Rwanda and its partners are sufficient. The decision to halt travel is not helpful and only exacerbates the country’s economic situation. Such decisions negatively impact the economy and society. The available data shows progress, with more people recovering, which is proof that things are improving,” he stated in an apparent reference to a travel advisory issued by the United States government last week.

'When people recover, it shows that the infected are receiving proper care. It is a very dangerous outbreak. Rwanda is not the first country to face this, and it takes time and effort to fight it.'

Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana also emphasized that the measures in place are yielding positive results, with more people recovering than dying from Marburg.

'There are positive indicators showing that the efforts being made are paying off. In the past three days, we tested and found no new cases of the disease. This is good news, but we cannot afford to be complacent. We have seen that the number of recoveries continues to rise, now standing at 18, while 14 have died,' Dr. Nsanzimana said, adding that the vaccination of frontline health workers and high-risk individuals will continue.

Since the outbreak was confirmed on September 27, 2024, Rwanda has reported 61 cases and 14 deaths from more than 3,600 tests conducted.

The virus, which causes hemorrhagic fever, is believed to originate in fruit bats and spreads through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding.

To prevent infection, health experts recommend strict hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with personal items or bodily fluids of individuals showing symptoms of Marburg virus disease.

Dr. Brian Chirombo, the WHO Representative in Rwanda, saluted the health workers as the heroes of the outbreak, noting that specialist health workers were most affected at the onset.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The vaccines were delivered on Saturday, October 13, 2024, by the Sabin Vaccine Institute, which sent an initial shipment of 700 Marburg vaccine doses on October 5, nine days after Rwanda declared its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus.

The Ministry of Health rolled out vaccination efforts targeting frontline health workers on October 8.

The Sabin Vaccine Institute stated that the single-dose Marburg vaccine is being administered in accordance with clinical protocols reviewed and approved by Rwandan ethics and regulatory authorities.

The U.S.-based institution is currently conducting Phase 2 clinical trials for vaccines targeting both Marburg and Sudan ebolaviruses. As part of MARVAC, a WHO-coordinated consortium focused on developing vaccines for the Marburg virus, Sabin’s vaccine development is supported by BARDA, which has allocated $235 million to fund research and development for the filoviruses.

Rwanda has so far confirmed 61 cases of Marburg virus, 14 deaths, and 18 recoveries from more than 3,300 tests conducted.

The virus is believed to originate in fruit bats and spreads through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals.

Initial symptoms of Marburg virus disease include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue, followed by gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

To prevent infection, health experts recommend strict hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with personal items or bodily fluids of individuals showing symptoms of Marburg virus disease.

The Ministry of Health rolled out vaccination efforts targeting frontline health workers on October 8, 2024.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The outbreak entered its third week on Saturday, October 12, 2024, following the confirmation of the first-ever cases in several health facilities in the country on Friday, September 27, 2024.

So far, the country has recorded 61 cases, 14 deaths, and 18 recoveries from more than 3,300 tests conducted.

The Ministry of Health has been at the forefront of the response, implementing measures to contain the spread of this deadly hemorrhagic fever and protect public health.

The Ministry attributes its success in keeping cases and fatalities low to the establishment of a National Response Workforce. This multisectoral team is tasked with executing strategic objectives to manage and control the outbreak, minimizing transmissions and fatalities while protecting the health and dignity of communities across Rwanda.

According to the Ministry of Health, the National Response Workforce is organized into clusters, including communication, diagnostics, surveillance, evacuation, procurement, case management, strategic information, psychology, resource mobilization, operations, a call center, mobile vaccination clinics, and treatment facilities.

Currently, the response team is engaged in decontaminating infected areas, providing treatment to patients in designated centers, and addressing public concerns through the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) emergency number 114. Additionally, psychological experts on the team are tasked with offering counseling and psychosocial support to survivors and their families, aiding in rapid reintegration and combating stigma.

Currently, the response team is, among other activities, engaged in decontaminating infected areas.

During a visit to Rwanda on October 8, 2024, the Director General of the Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, commended the country’s rapid and effective response to the Marburg outbreak. Dr. Kaseya lauded Rwanda’s efforts to contain the virus after touring the Marburg Command Post and meeting with Rwanda’s Health Minister, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana.

'Impressed by Rwanda’s swift, proactive response. The Africa CDC stands firmly with Rwanda, committed to safeguarding lives and stopping the spread,' Dr. Kaseya stated.

Following his visit to Kigali, Dr. Kaseya also condemned the decision by the United States government to issue a travel advisory against Rwanda over the Marburg virus outbreak, terming it unfair.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a national public health agency of the United States, issued a Level 3 travel advisory on Monday, October 7, 2024, urging its citizens to reconsider nonessential travel to Rwanda due to the outbreak.

Dr. Kaseya criticized the advisory, insisting that decisions during the ongoing outbreak must be guided by scientific facts to avoid spreading panic.

'The decision taken by the U.S. government was not fair, and we believe this is not the treatment that Rwanda and Africa deserve,' he stated, reiterating that Rwanda had implemented satisfactory measures to contain the spread of the disease and that the risk of spreading the virus to another country was 'nearly zero.'

Some of the initial steps taken by the government at the onset of the outbreak included heightened contact tracing, suspending hospital visits, banning wakes and home vigils (locally known as Ikiriyo) for Marburg-related deaths, and limiting burials for Marburg deaths to a maximum of 50 people.

Additionally, all healthcare facilities were directed to implement a protocol for receiving and providing services to clients exhibiting symptoms of Marburg virus disease, with strict adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.

In recent days, the government has also rolled out other measures to reduce the risk of exporting cases to other countries, including mandatory symptom screening of all passengers departing from Kigali. Furthermore, the government has initiated the vaccination of public health workers and other high-risk groups.

The Ministry attributes its success in keeping cases and fatalities low to the establishment of a multi-sectoral National Response Workforce.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

By planting 100 trees, club members and other members of the local community on October 13, 2024 concluded the second phase of his ambitious tree-planting project.
This was organized at Groupe Scholaire du Mont Kigali popularly known as APACE in Munanira cell, Nyakabanda sector in Nyarugenge district.

This initiative, aimed at both nourishing the community and preserving the environment, saw enthusiastic participation from school children who were invited to take part in the exercise and learn about the benefits of tree planting.

Rotary Club of Kigali-Karasimbi members were joined by colleagues from sister clubs across the country

Addressing the young participants, the current president of the Rotary Club of Kigali Karasimbi, Satish Kumar, explained the vision behind the project;
'We started thinking about a project to have a plantation of 500 fruit trees and then founded a committee to identify a suitable location in Kigali where the local population can benefit while also supporting the environment,” he said.

Kumar highlighted that the club ultimately chose Nyakabanda as the ideal locations, confident that these efforts would contribute to both the health of the community and environmental preservation.
The tree-planting initiative extends beyond providing nutritious fruits like mangoes, oranges, and avocados. It also plays a significant role in supporting environmental sustainability.

'By planting more trees, we are not only providing oxygen but also future products like timber when the trees are ready for harvest. Additionally, deep-rooted trees help control soil erosion, particularly during heavy rains, by retaining the topsoil essential for agriculture,' Kumar noted.

Club members were joined by the public

The overall goal of the Rotary Club’s initiative is to plant 500 fruit trees in phases. This recent event follows the first phase, which took place on March 23, 2024, when 106 trees were planted in public spaces within primary and secondary schools.

The project is also supported by the Ministry of Environment, the High Commission of India, and external initiatives championed by Indian Prime Minister Modi.
'This is a good project, and we are also promoting a cultural tradition where individuals are encouraged to plant a tree in honor of their mothers, an idea further supported by the Prime Minister,' Kumar said.

Beyond local support, the project aligns with Rotary International’s broader mission of promoting community service and sustainability.
'We collect contributions from our members, some of which go to Rotary International, and use others through the Rotary Foundation to support worldwide initiatives. In projects like these, we also receive donations and services from sponsors, in addition to periodic annual contributions from our members,' Kumar added.

Founded on March 23, 2022, Rotary Club Karasimbi operates closely with its parent club, Rotary Club Virunga, and other associated clubs such as Rotary Club of Kigali Cosmopolitan, Rotary Club of Butare, and Rotary Club of Musanze, among others.

School Going Children participated in the tree planting exercise

During the event, Shaffy Kubwimana, a representative from Nyakabanda Sector, spoke about the importance of partnerships between non-governmental organizations and local authorities.
'The collaboration between NGOs and local authorities provides crucial support to various social welfare programs. By complementing the government’s budget, these collaborations help fast-track the execution of programs that uplift the well-being of our citizens,' he said.

With two phases now complete and more trees to be planted, the Rotary Club of Kigali Karasimbi continues to lead the way in creating a healthier, greener, and more sustainable future for the communities of Nyakabanda and Kimisagara.

Rotary Club of Kigali Karasimbi, Satish Kumar explained the vision behind the project.

Sam K Nkurunziza

The accident occurred around 10 PM, as the minibuses were returning from a wedding at Sainte Famille and heading towards Muhanga.

Confirming the accident, SP Kayigi Emmanuel, a spokesperson for the Traffic Police, said the rear minibus collided with a front minibus, causing the latter to veer off the road and crash into barriers.

The officer attributed the crash to excessive speeding by the driver of the rear minibus, particularly as they approached a downhill area.

At the time of the incident, both vehicles were carrying around 40 passengers. While three passengers were killed instantly, 37 others sustained injuries, with six reported to be in serious condition.

The injured were taken to various hospitals, with some sent to facilities in Kigali and others to Kabgayi Hospital. The bodies of the deceased were moved to the Kacyiru Hospital mortuary.

Following the tragedy, SP Kayigi urged drivers to exercise caution on the roads and emphasized the importance of passengers speaking up when drivers make unsafe choices. He expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and reassured the public that the injured were receiving the necessary medical care.

The accident claimed the lives of three people.

IGIHE

Mboweni passed away on Saturday, October 13, 2024, at the age of 65, after a short illness, according to a statement from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government.

In his message of condolences on Sunday, Kagame praised Mboweni’s contributions to reforming the African Union (AU), stating that his legacy will transcend generations.

'Tito Mboweni was a giant voice for Africa and a champion of continental integration. His counsel was invaluable in the effort to reform the African Union, and in recent years, he dedicated his energy to implementing those reforms as chair of the AU Peace Fund. His legacy will live on for generations to come,' Kagame said in his message to Mboweni’s family, friends, and the people of South Africa.

Mboweni served as South Africa’s Minister of Finance under Ramaphosa from 2018 to 2021. He was an anti-apartheid activist in his youth and served as Minister of Labour from 1994 to 1999 under President Nelson Mandela.

Mboweni also made history as the first Black Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, serving from 1999 to 2009.

A frequent visitor to Kigali and an early member of the team tasked with reforming the African Union, Mboweni was a close ally of Rwanda. His work on the AU Reforms Steering Committee, led by President Kagame, focused on addressing the urgent need for institutional reforms to better position the AU for achieving its Agenda 2063 vision of inclusive economic growth and development across Africa.

Mboweni’s role extended to serving on the Board of Trustees for the African Union Peace Fund, which was key to financing peace support operations, mediation, and preventive diplomacy efforts. His involvement was instrumental in ensuring strategic governance of the Peace Fund, enhancing the AU’s capacity to manage conflicts and promote peace on the continent.

Ramaphosa earlier expressed shock over Mboweni’s passing, noting that he distinguished himself in strategic roles and was a flag bearer for South Africa’s economy on the global stage.

'We have lost a leader and compatriot who has served our nation as an activist, economic policy innovator, and champion of labor rights,' Ramaphosa said, emphasizing Mboweni’s significant role in shaping South Africa’s future, particularly during the final days of apartheid.

A frequent visitor to Kigali and an early member of the team tasked with reforming the African Union, Mboweni was a close ally of Rwanda.

Wycliffe Nyamasege