In the rolling hills of Ngororero District, Western Province, Nyirangirimana Leodie was once known as the quiet girl in class; the one who avoided eye contact, never raised her hand, and spoke so softly her voice was barely heard. Shyness and low self-esteem kept her from participating in lessons, and she often doubted whether her thoughts and answers were worth sharing.
“I used to feel invisible,” Leodie recalls. “Even when I knew the answer, I couldn’t raise my hand. I was afraid of being wrong, afraid that others would laugh at me.”
Everything began to change when Leodie joined her school’s Health Club through the NDINDA NIGE (“Protect Me to Learn”) initiative under the LIFT Programme. Supported by the Ministry of Education, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and UNICEF Rwanda, these clubs are designed to give students the tools, confidence, and safe spaces they need to grow; not just academically, but personally.
Her club mentor, Jean Claude Izerimana, played a key role in supporting Leodie. Through group discussions, role-plays, and interactive activities, he encouraged her to share her thoughts and realize her own value.
In the club, Leodie found encouragement from peers who listened to her without judgment. Through group discussions, role-plays, and activities, she began to understand her own worth and ability. “The club taught me that my ideas matter,” she says. “I learned to speak up and to share my ideas with no fear of being wrong.”
Her teachers and club mentors quickly noticed the change. Once hesitant to participate, Leodie now answers questions in class, joins group work enthusiastically, and even volunteers to lead discussions. “Before the club, Leodie was quiet and distant,” says Jean Claude Izerimana. “Now she is confident, her voice is strong, and she has even become a club leader.”
Beyond the classroom, Leodie’s renewed confidence has improved her relationships with friends and family. She is no longer afraid to meet new people, and she encourages her peers to take part in club activities and focus on their studies.
For Leodie, the health club was more than an after-school activity; it was a turning point. “Before, I kept everything inside me. Now I know I can speak, I can share, and I can make my dream of being a teacher come true,” she says with a smile.
Her journey shows that when students are supported to build self-esteem and communication skills, their potential can shine through. From Ngororero to districts across Rwanda, the NDINDA NIGE initiative proved that every child’s voice matters and that with the right support, even the quietest student can become a confident leader.