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Rainbow Academy: From a Village Dream to a Living Legacy

I was born and raised in a small village in Western Rwanda, in an area now known for its breathtaking Lake Kivu and beautiful hotels, yet for many years marked by limited access to quality education. In my generation, very few children advanced beyond primary school. Most of my peers ended their studies at Senior Three, and many never joined high school at all.

This was not mainly because of school fees — public education was almost free — but because motivation, exposure, mentorship, and quality learning environments were missing. As many understand, public and private schools cannot easily be compared when it comes to learning standards, confidence building, and long-term outcomes.

A few students — Mark, Étienne, and Mutyuimana — stood out as role models. Mutyuimana completed high school and built a career in Kigali, never returning to the village. Then Mark reached Senior Six and became the pride of our community.

Despite family instability and many challenges, I continued my education through Rwanda’s Nine Years Basic Education program. Every day, I walked more than 15 kilometers to and from school while many of my childhood friends gradually dropped out. That experience became the foundation of my commitment to education.
 
Through perseverance, I completed high school, joined university, and earned:
•a Bachelor’s degree in International Hotel Management from Vatel University, one of the world’s leading hospitality institutions, and
•a Master of Science in Tourism Management from Mount Kigali University.
 
Education later enabled me to sponsor my brothers, who are now bachelor degree holders, bringing pride to our family and the entire village. To this day, fewer than five people in the village hold a university degree.

As my career in hospitality and tourism grew, one question remained constant:
Why should the next generation struggle the same way my generation did?

The school began as a small kindergarten and became the second private school in the Rubona Cell. From the start, the vision was clear:
to offer quality education that builds motivation, confidence, and global skills — while remaining accessible to local families.
 
Today, Rainbow Academy serves:
•311 children in Nursery and Primary School
•Supported by 15 dedicated teachers
 
The school has grown from nursery to Primary Six, and our first candidates sat for national examinations with a 100% pass rate, successfully joining Senior One.
 
Importantly, Rainbow Academy follows a sustainable and dignified model:
•40 students receive fully free education, prioritizing vulnerable families
•Other students pay affordable fees, making quality education accessible while ensuring the school’s long-term stability
 
For many parents, this is the first time they have seen such quality education in their lives — an environment that nurtures confidence, discipline, and ambition.

Rainbow Academy’s success is built on leadership and teamwork.

Mr. Tubanambazi Theonest the school’s headmaster, played a decisive role in turning the vision into reality. During periods when I could not be present daily, he took full leadership — guiding implementation, mentoring teachers, and maintaining high academic standards. His commitment and experience have been central to the school’s success.

YVES Bernardin one of our professional guides at Huza Gateway, plays a key role in connecting education, community, and tourism. He coordinates volunteers and accompanies visitors who wish to visit Rainbow Academy, ensuring that guests experience the school’s impact in a respectful and meaningful way.

Voices from the Community

“It was once a dream to imagine a child from this village speaking English at such a young age. In our time, we learned English very late. Being part of this school is my pride.”

Musoni, a parent, explains:

“At first, we did not believe the school would reach this level. But after seeing how confident the students were, I transferred all my three children here. Their English is even better than mine.”

Console, a grandmother, says:

“My children study here at no cost. When they come home speaking English, I don’t understand the language — I speak Kinyarwanda and Swahili — but I cry tears of joy.”

Rainbow Academy is growing — and so is the need.
 
Our next goals include:
•Purchasing more land
•Building additional classrooms
•Increasing the number of teachers
•Expanding student capacity
•Reaching more vulnerable children while maintaining quality standards
 
This growth will allow Rainbow Academy to serve a broader community without compromising excellence.

Many guests who book tours with Huza Gateway become direct contributors to Rainbow Academy’s impact.
Every journey booked helps us give back to the community — supporting education, teacher development, and free schooling for children who need it most.

Choosing to travel with Huza Gateway is not only a luxury experience —
it is a conscious decision to invest in people, education, and future leaders.

Rainbow Academy is more than a school.
It is a response to inequality, a source of motivation, and a long-term investment in the future of our community.

We are deeply grateful to all who have supported, volunteered, and believed in this journey — and we warmly welcome those who wish to walk with us in shaping the next generation through education and responsible tourism.