Nsengimana R. Recognized as KEF’s 1,000th Graduate

We are thrilled to share that our 1,000th scholar is graduating! Nsengimana R. has officially completed his Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Bugema University in Uganda and will soon wear his graduation robes. 

Like the majority of our Scholars, Nsengimana is no stranger to adversity. A refugee from Rwanda living in Uganda, Nsengimana supported himself through trade jobs such as plumbing, electrical engineering, welding, and other roles that require a sharp mind and strong attention to detail. He did this to support his true passion: receiving a degree in social work. But without support from parents or relatives because of their own displacement and economic hardships, Nsengimana found himself in a tough position and couldn't pay for his final year of university.

That’s when he found KEF, and we learned about the kind and driven student seeking our support. In his personal statement, Nsengimana shared the following:

“I am studying Social Work and Social Administration in order to gain the professional knowledge and practical skills needed to address social problems such as poverty, trauma, limited access to education, and social exclusion within refugee settlements. Through this education, I aim to become a trained social worker who can design, implement, and support community-based programs that promote self-reliance, psychosocial well-being, child protection, and access to education for refugees and host communities. My long-term goal is to work with humanitarian and development organizations to contribute to sustainable community development.”

Nsengimana’s ability to articulate his goals and how his profession can create lasting change in his own community has always stuck with us. It’s clear he is passionate about his role in ‘Paying it Forward,’ and feels strongly about his ability to help others.

After all, the issues he addresses are truly pervasive across refugee settlements in Uganda, issues Nsengimana had to fight to overcome himself. From overcrowded classrooms and inaccessible education to language barriers and mental health challenges caused by displacement and trauma, Uganda’s government and local nonprofits have been slowly implementing new policies that sustainably address these challenges—but there is still a way to go.

Nsengimana is an incredible example of what perseverance and a dedication to cultivating a better world look like. We are very proud of the professional—and man—he’s become, and we look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next!

As for KEF, the graduation of our 1,000th Scholar reminds us how far we’ve come. As a community of people who dream of a world with no barriers to education, each and every one of us should feel a sense of pride. No donation is too small, and no like on social media is too insignificant. Every action has brought us to where we are today, and we look forward to celebrating again at the graduation of our 2,000th Scholar.

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