
Anathole

PROGRESS

OUR GOAL: A CIRCLE OF SUPPORTERS GIVING $350/MONTH OR $4200 FOR THE YEAR

Rwanda
University of Rwanda

General medicine
CAREER: Doctor
GRAD DATE: 2024
JOURNEY
- March 1, 2023 – In a recent Leadership Development Workshop, we explored the question, “How can you make sure the pain of your past doesn’t determine your future?” What stood out and meant the most to you in this workshop? Anathole said: “I have learned that no matter how painful or bad my past has been, I’ve got to break the bond with that history because I can’t change my past. However, I have learned from my past experiences and apply what I’ve learned to the present in order to live the life I deserve and not ruin my present by worrying about the future. Moreover, I must not think of the past as defining my future, since I have known that my today’s actions, plans, goals, thoughts and attitudes will ultimately define my destiny. Furthermore, the Lord himself declared that he knows the plans he has for me, plans for me to prosper, and plans to give me a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11, CEB). Again, the Lord said unto me “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, NIV). These promises also strengthen my bones.”
- September 8, 2022 – Anathole discusses the biggest changes in his life since the end of the COVID restrictions: “When COVID-19 was killing people in the beginning of 2020, I was so terrified that I might be the next one to die from it. With restrictions established all over the world and in my own country, I had lost hope in the future because I left school and I had no hope to resume, no free movement and no unmasked face, no hugging of your loved ones. I was immensely depressed. However, gone are the days. To conclude, since the end of all the COVID restrictions, I have seen the dawn and my hope returned with the greatest intensity like never before. I’m no longer depressed and don’t worry about the future. I’m happier than ever before and living a hopeful life, for the sun shall never set again.”
- September 13, 2021 – Anathole shared his favorite song and what it means to him: “When I am down, I love to listen to the song “My Tomorrow Must Be Greater Than Today” by David Ekene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPM_WK1EotE. I love to listen to this beautiful song when I’m depressed by problems. When confused, I take myself to many years back and see how the Lord has always been with me in my life struggles — from nine years basic education, to twelve years basic education, to boarding school and to the university. This song strengthens me. I hope that my problems will one day end and I will have a better life free of responsibilities greater than my capacity. Obviously, my tomorrow must be greater than today because I don’t feel alone. I’m loved and blessed to be an important man to my country and the entire world. For everybody, his /her tomorrow must be greater than today as well. Thank you!”
- July 16, 2021 – Anathole shared what resilience means to him: “To me resilience can be defined as a process of good adaptation developed by someone when facing difficulties like extreme poverty, family problems, failures, financial hardships and tragedies which impede them from progressing forward, and throughout the challenge you remain healthy and happy. Simply put, to be resilient is never to give up in difficult situations.”
- March 1, 2021 – Anathole said his biggest lessons from 2020 were: “Since we have entered the COVID-19 pandemic period this year, including lockdown, extreme hungry and poverty, even when the schools resumed, many students dropped out because they lacked school fees and materials. The biggest lessons I’ve gotten are to save and to be willing to support others in their difficulties. Those who saved, saved the lives of many people who weren’t able to get food and in addition, their children resumed studies. Therefore, I’ve got another reason to be ready for any change that may come unintentionally and have an effect on everything.”
Anathole’S CIRCLE
- T. & K. West – Portland, OR
BIO
Anathole was born and grew up in Rwanda in a family of five kids. He started primary studies, but because of poverty, and life struggle, he dropped out for a year before being able to resume his studies. Anathole couldn’t go to the boarding schools where he had been admitted until he received a scholarship from the district as the best student in Ordinary level National examinations of 2014. Anathole is studying General Medicine and Surgery at University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences. He sees studying medicine as a way of expressing During his spare time, Anathole enjoys reading the bible, religious books, health related journals, listening to news from his country, and overseas. He likes doing sports as well as listening to slow music. Currently, he is Secretary General for Medical Students’ Association of Rwanda Supervising Council, Elder and the advisory board member to the University Seventh-Day Adventist church where he sometimes leads divine sermons along with leading the church.
From 2016 to 2017, Anathole was given an IMBUTO Foundation scholarship by Her Excellency Jeannette Kagame, the First Lady of Rwanda as the brilliant poor student. He won many competitions in high schools. He received best student award of the academic year 2017 National Examinations. Anathole was President of National Children council in his community for 6 years. He was the leader of science club in high school. He has also been a deacon, general secretary of his high school Seventh Day Adventist church.
his gratitude to the doctors and nurses who saved his life when he was a child. Anathole also chose to study medicine so that no more people will die because of lack of accessibility to quality medical care due to poverty. He wants to make it possible to get advanced medical treatments, not only at referral hospitals but also at district hospitals, at an affordable cost. He also hopes to establish more health centers with full-day attending nurses and midwives in the country and train health professionals to increase research based medicine.
He has been certified to attend courses developed by the World Health Organization and his University during the COVID-19 periods. Anathole is a hard worker, responsible, organized, team worker and accountable man.