Africa-Press – Rwanda. Bank of Kigali was officially announced as the official sponsor of “Our Stories Matter Initiative”, a project by local writer Barbara Umuhoza, the author of “Shaped”.
Umuhoza announced this during the launch of her book which took place at Kigali Convention Centre on the night of July 16.
The initiative aims to mobilize Rwandans to write, tell and publish their own stories; stories that talk about themselves, the history of Rwanda, what is happening in Rwanda today, among others, bearing in mind that they highly matter.
“Shaped” became the first book that was written through the initiative. It talks about Umuhoza’s life from her young age to becoming a woman she is today and sheds light on different things that never broke her but shaped her.
Speaking during the book launch, Umuhoza revealed that her initiative was sparked by her realization that apart from her, fellow Rwandans have great stories that can change lives as well as motivate and inspire a big number of people.
She added: “Our stories should be released but stories by Rwandans are not only based on the Genocide against the Tutsi. There are stories of Inkotanyi that need to be released, there are stories of children who were born in the exile like me we need to know about, there are stories of young Rwandans who were born in the peaceful Rwanda we need to read, there are stories of business persons on how they started their businesses and those can inspire different people. There are stories about survival, motivation as well as sorrow that needs to be written. Our stories have to be written and released.”
Highlighting how important “Our Stories Matter Initiative” is, Diane Karusisi, CEO of BK Group said: “Most of the time, our history is written by foreigners and they write it in their languages, and sometimes you read it and feel like they narrated it wrongly. That’s why as a Rwandan company, we feel like we should play a role in helping Rwandans, especially youth from the young generation who were shaped by the outstanding leadership our country has, to tell their stories. These stories should be known around the world.”
She added: “We share and enjoy what we have achieved as Rwandans but we shall also share that with our neighbours and across the whole Africa so that others can know that it’s possible.”
Karusisi also noted that those who write the story of Rwanda as it is are heroes because not everyone can do that.
She commended Umuhoza for her ‘great’ initiative and pledged continued support from BK.
During the book launch, Robert Masozera, Director General of Rwanda Cultural and Heritage Academy (RCHA) was the guest of honour representing the Minister of Youth and Culture.
He commended Umuhoza for realising her book as well as her initiative for he believes that it will help authors to thrive and boost the reading culture in Rwanda.
He also highlighted that she made a great contribution in the book industry by mobilizing many Rwandans, showing them that it’s possible to write and release their stories.
The copies of “Shaped” will soon be available in bookstores including Ikirezi, Caritas and Charisma at Rwf17,000.
Barbara Umuhoza and Bank of Kigali CEO, Diane Karusisi during the launch of Barbara’s book on July 16. Bank of Kigali was officially announced as the official sponsor of “Our Stories Matter Initiative”, a project by local writer Barbara Umuhoza, the author of “Shaped”.
Barbara Umuhoza speaks during the event. The founder of “Our Stories Matter Initiative” Barbara Umuhoza said that the initiative aims to mobilize Rwandans to write, tell and publish their own stories.
People go through the book during the official launch of ‘Shaped’. The book talks
about Umuhoza’s life from her young age to becoming a woman she is today and sheds light on different things that never broke her but shaped her.
Some attendees pose for a photo holding Barbara Umuhoza’s book entitled ‘Shaped’ during the launch on Saturday ,July 16. “Shaped” became the first book that was written through the initiative that is sponsored by Bank of Kigali.
The book was launched at Kigali Convention Center on Saturday, July 16,2022. According to the author Barbara Umuhoza, the copies of “Shaped” will soon be available in bookstores including Ikirezi, Caritas and Charisma at Rwf17,000.
For More News And Analysis About Rwanda Follow Africa-Press
Iki gitabo kirashimishije kandi Congratulation to Umuhoza.
Ibibazo nibaza:
1. Ese abanditsi b’ibitabo by’ikinyarwanda nabo bafashwa?
2. Niba iyi project ishobora gufasha abanditsi, umwanditsi yabariza hehe ngo afashwe?
Murakoze cyane