Ambassadorial Scholarships –
Another Opportunity provided by
The Rotary Foundation
Rwandan scholar blazes a new trail
By Dan Nixon
Rotary International News
Photo courtesy of Alexandre Ngamije
Alexandre Ngamije broke new ground for himself and Rotarians alike when he arrived in Rockford, Illinois, USA, as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar from Rwanda in August 2006.
"When I came to the U.S., I had my own culture," says Ngamije, age 31, who is in a two-year master's program in business administration at Rockford College. "Then I gained a new culture. In Africa, we don't have development as it is here. [In the U.S.] I see many paved roads, tall buildings, and how people behave in a different culture."
Ngamije's first time outside Africa also marked a first for his host District 6420.
"We are excited to receive our first Ambassadorial Scholar in 15 years and the first one from an underdeveloped country," says Elise Cadigan, of the Rotary Club of Rockford. "Alex arrived with two small suitcases, little cash, and incredible determination to work hard, [and] better himself and his family."
"Rockford Rotarians have come together to provide him with everything else he needs," says District 6420 public relations chair Brian Adams. "Rotarians helped him obtain clothing, a computer, and other personal items."
Ngamije was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and moved to Rwanda, his parents' homeland, in 1994 after the genocide had ended. While working there for a nongovernmental organization, he served as an interpreter for Bob Cerwin, of the Rotary Club of Asheville, North Carolina, USA. Cerwin told him about the Ambassadorial Scholarship program.
"My dream was to continue my education but I did not have the means," says Ngamije, whose wife and 16-month-old son live in Rwanda. "I was extremely happy when my scholarship was approved. The Rotary scholarship is very good, because wherever you go you are a member of the Rotary family.
Ngamije, who was raised speaking French, has also been intensively studying English. "When I came to the U.S., English was my fourth language," he says. "Now it is the first one I speak."
Once Ngamije felt comfortable enough with English, he began making presentations to Rotary clubs. In January and February alone, he spoke to seven clubs.
Ngamije has discovered, however, that people generally have a one-dimensional view of his homeland.
"Unfortunately, many people don't know Rwanda for good things, only for genocide," he says. "But they want to know the real situation and I am happy to tell them. Rwanda erected a genocide memorial, so it could teach others to avoid that kind of evil in Rwanda and throughout the world. Also, Rwanda is a good country to visit for tourism."
After he returns to his country, Ngamije would like to start his own business, perhaps in the transportation field. But he also has other ambitions.
"I am studying as an Ambassadorial Scholar and want to be connected with Rotary International wherever I will be. To be an ambassador of goodwill, I must be an ambassador everywhere that I am."
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