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? Stephen said: “For me this means endlessly developing your mindset… knowing that the past is only there to draw lessons from, and not to dwell on it.”
• September 8, 2022 – Stephen said the biggest change in his life since the end of the COVID restrictions has been “resuming school.”
• September 13, 2021 – Stephen shared his favorite song and what it means to him: “My favorite song is called “Better Must Come” by the Jamaican singer, Delroy Wilson: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UhoWYMJR0jk. I don’t know how many times I have played this song. It gives me hope for the future. It tells me that, no matter what, if you don’t quit, better will eventually come. ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ve been trying a long, long time. Still I didn’t make it. Everything I try to do seems to go wrong. It seems I have done something wrong. But they’re trying to keep me down. Who God bless, no one curse. Thank God I’m not the worst. Better must come one day. Better must come. They can’t conquer me. Better must come, yeah!'”
• July 16, 2021 – Stephen shared what resilience means to him: “Resilience is bouncing back from adversity so that you’re even stronger than before.”
• March 1, 2021 – Stephen said his biggest lesson from 2020 was: “Learning to take advice from those who have been where we are headed. For instance, the nations which took heed from China’s experience as far as handling the virus was concerned were not hit so hard by the pandemic compared to those which downplayed the pandemic.”
• December 1, 2020 – I am studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Rwanda. My dream from a young age has been to become a medical doctor and be in a position to prevent, treat, and cure illnesses!
• July 1, 2020 – We asked our students what makes them proud of their culture, and Stephen said: “The culture of cattle ownership. It is still around and beneficial to the Rwandans and it makes people rich and alleviates poverty in our country. I am really proud of it.”
• March 30, 2020 – Stephen is fluent in: English, Kinyarwanda, Luganda, and Runyankole. And he is learning Kiswahili.
• March 30, 2020 – Stephen said his favorite drink is non pasteurised milk that has just been milked with foam still on it (inshushu ikiriho ifuro).
• September 1, 2019 – When asked about his summer Stephen said “As usual, I read as many books to retain as much knowledge as I can and did all I could to help out at home.”
• May 18, 2019 – This semester I learned that it takes meticulous saving of money to accumulate capital in order to invest for the future and be rich.
• February 9, 2019 – When asked to define servant leadership, how that applies to his life now, and his future career, Stephen said: “Servant leadership means serving others first and considering each and every one as important. Emulating Jesus Christ as our role model and the best example of a servant leader. It’s serving by example, being a role model to others you serve. I plan to implement servant leadership in my career by prioritizing those that I serve, especially my patients, by serving them to the best of my ability.”
• November 19, 2018 – Stephen wants to be known as someone who served humanity – a doctor who did his best for his patients! He is looking forward to his internship this semester and all he will learn through that experience!
• May 12, 2018 – The two things Stephen values the most are education and his parents, because through education people’s lives are transformed for the better, and his parents because they are always there for him to help when he needs.
• March 25, 2018 – When Stephen was younger, he dreamt of being a doctor and would imagine the joy he could bring by helping people who were sick! In five years, he hopes to fulfill his dream and be a medical specialist doctor!
• February 27, 2018 – Stephen said he is always inspired by people who have done well in business and don’t have any debt!
• January 25, 2018 – An impactful book that Stephen read was The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Vincent Norman. Stephen said that it reminded him to believe in himself and not to feel defeated.
• December 15, 2017 – Stephen says his traditional Christmas in Rwanda is hanging out with family and sharing a meal together. The men wear suits, the women wear traditional Rwandan attire, called Mishanana, and they dance! He says his friends would describe him as an avid reader because he loves books!
• November 11, 2017 – Stephen is very thankful for the reopening of his university, and the upgrades they made! He is also thankful for God’s protection, and the support of These Numbers Have Face’s donors. He loves being able to reunite with his family.
• October 8, 2017 – You will never find Stephen without a book in his hand. He spent his Summer Holiday reading books and learning! Stephen is excited to go back to school and continue studying to become a doctor.
• May 25, 2017 – Something Stephen wishes more people knew about Rwanda is that the country is working towards self-reliance.
• March 27, 2017 – When asked about the 3 things he values most, Stephen said knowledge, financial security and love!
• February 13, 2017 – The two things that make Stephen feel most empowered are education and a loving family.
• January 17, 2017 – Life isn’t without challenges. In moments of struggle, Stephen clings to these words: “We must not lose hope in anything, for God is with us.”
• November 20, 2016 – When asked about what he’s thankful for, Stephen said the opportunity to be living out his dream — studying medicine!
• June 30, 2016 – This summer Stephen is completing a medical internship! When he has free time, he looks forward to reading and visiting family in Uganda.
• April 20, 2016 – When Stephen thinks of role model leaders, he pictures Abraham Lincoln. Stephen admires how Lincoln was committed to emancipating slaves in America, and his advocation for individual liberties!
• March 4, 2016 – It’s normal to be nervous about the things we most hope to succeed in. For Stephen, he said he’s anxious about his upcoming internship. But we know he’ll do a fantastic job! We’re excited to hear about what he learns!
• February 1, 2016 – Stephen recently read “Dream From My Father,” by President Barack Obama! Stephen especially enjoyed reading about the lessons Obama learned from his childhood and family background.
• January 21, 2016 – Stephen’s Community Impact Project is helping lab technicians to process specimens and tests from patients at a local hospital! We’re so thankful he is volunteering his time to do such important work in his community.
• December 17, 2015 – What was Stephen’s happiest moment from the last semester? When his professor commented that Stephen’s presentation was like that of a senior doctor’s! What a compliment!
• October 15, 2015 – How many languages does Stephen speak? 4! English, Kinyarwanda, Swahili and French!
• April 28, 2015 – The happiest moment of Stephen’s life was when he received a phone call letting him know he was accepted into the medical program at his University!
• April 8, 2015 – Stephen said he was very pleased with the grades he received for his courses last semester! Way to go, Stephen!
• March 30, 2015 – For Stephen’s Community Impact Project, he will be working at a physicians office analyzing samples to help with prescribing treatments for medical problems.
• March 2, 2015 – For his holiday after exams, Stephen visited his sisters, instead of traveling all the way home. When he was with his sisters, they talked about their goals for the future. Awesome conversations!