Claudine Uwamahoro
Class of 2016
In the area where I grew up, they wouldn’t treat all the children, girls and boys, the same. It hurt me, and I felt that this was unfair. They would say a baby girl was a curse on the family. They would value the baby boy, but they felt the girl would never give something back or be successful. I want to help change that stereotype about the baby girl. I want to grow, become a leader, and empower women.
Akilah has changed me. Right now, I can really talk to a person and look them straight in the eyes, and that’s a sign of confidence. If I’m at school, I don’t want to be just Claudine. Why not Claudine the smart one, the kind one, or the one taking initiative? I know that I have to work hard and put the greatest effort in everything that I am doing. If Akilah was not there, my English would still be mediocre. Before, I could speak English, and it was kind of good. Now I’m confident enough to say that it’s close to perfect. I like to listen to NPR, and I really understand everything. That is a big achievement. I’ve also done an interview with NPR. I thought, “This is wonderful — I am going to be on the radio, and everybody is going to hear my voice.” I hope to visit America one day. I want to learn as much English as I can and maybe become an interpreter because I also speak French.