Fandira came to the Burke family in Hudson, Ohio, from Rwamagana, Rwanda. Since his arrival in the United States three years ago, he has touched the hearts of everyone he meets. Now 18 years old and a senior at Walsh Jesuit High School, Fandira has been voted vice president of the National Honor Society and was chosen to be a leader on the Kairos and Freshman Retreats.

Fandira’s extracurricular activities include working part-time as a server in the dining rooms at the Laurel Lake Retirement Community. He loves playing sports, especially soccer and basketball. Additionally, Fandira loves having fun with friends, going out to movies and watching Netflix. Moreover, Fandira loves attending St. Mary’s Life Teen events as a senior leader. Also, Fandira enjoys singing and listening to music.

“Coming to the United States has been more than a dream come true. Since my arrival, it’s been a roller coaster of gifts and opportunities. I have been presented with opportunities such as an outstanding education and promising future. I have also been presented with gifts such as a loving community of my family and friends. Most of all, I now have parents who love me dearly and not only sacrifice a lot for me but also teach me and support me every second of the day.”

School and year: Walsh University, Class of 2019

Major: Business Communications

Extracurricular: Business Club; on-campus work in the Deville School of Business

Other facts: I have been in the US for six years. I grew up in Fr. Jean’s home, alongside Hyacinthe and Pacifique. I graduated from Our Lady of the Elms High School and now I love being at Walsh University. I love being a member of the Silvestro family and I have gotten to go to so many amazing places.

Nickname: Pine – These are the middle letters of the word happiness. That’s what I tried to spread.

Interests: All music, bicycling, cooking, my faith, and nurturing and helping others

Random “likes”: Being part of a family, walking everywhere, going to the park, washing machines and modern conveniences, St. Mary and Life Teen

Hyacinthe grew up in the orphanage that Fr. Jean Bosco established at his family’s home in Bistibo, Rwanda, after the 1994 genocide that took Fr. Jean’s, Hyacinthe’s, and many others’ family members.

With the help of Fr. Jean she came to Hudson, OH in 2011 to become part of a family and continue her education. She received her high school diploma from Our Lady of Elms and then went on to graduate from Walsh University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing. She earned her RN license and took a job as a Pediatric RN at Akron Children’s Hospital. She loves working with infants and toddlers in particular.

She loves to describe the beauty of Rwanda and the Rwandan people. “Rwanda is very lush, mountainous, and green. It is a comfortable temperature with little humidity. Wild animals roam the national parks, but monkeys run wild. Rwanda is called the Land of a Thousand Hills, and it is the home of many gorillas.”
“We are very friendly, communal, and personal. We call everyone by their first name. So it is very unfortunate that we had such a violent, sad, and life altering time in our history. But Rwanda is rebuilding through reconciliation, hard work, unification, and economic advances.”

“Not all Rwandan children have the opportunity for an education. It isn’t like here in the U.S. where it is the right of every child to receive an education. With this school that we’re raising money for, there are children who will now have the opportunity for education where there was little hope. It will change this district in dramatic ways. This school will bring opportunity and growth. We are hardworking people, even as students. This will be a great benefit to our country.”

“Rwandans are moving past the hurt, especially the youth who make up a large part of our population. We learn from our mistakes. We won’t allow the past to define our future.”
-Hyacinthe Mutuyubutatu-

Pacifique is a Christian name which means “peacemaker” and Pacifique is a Rwandan name which means “God is almighty.” I was born and grew up in Rwanda. I came to the United States in 2011 when I first met my wonderful parents, Mike and Jill Burke.

When I first came to the US, I went to Walsh Jesuit High School as a junior to learn English and prepare for college. After two years, I embarked on my undergraduate studies at Walsh University, where I earned my degree with two majors, International Relations and Professional Education. I am currently in a master’s program at Kent State University in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in internationalization. I enjoy getting involved in extracurricular and charitable activities. I have done this since I was in high school. I am presently an Assistant Hall Director at Kent State University. My purpose is to empower young people through Higher Education Administration.

Outside school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and reading books for pleasure. I am so thankful to be surrounded by wonderful people. That being said, the most wonderful gift a child can ever ask for is a family. I am blessed to have a mom and dad who comfort me with unconditional love and continue to invest in me to make me the person I am today. I am blessed to call the US and Rwanda both my homes. In addition, the most powerful instrument to change the world is love. I am grateful for Friends of Rwandan Education, who spread love around the world by investing in my home country.

Major: Biology

Extracurricular: Arrupe Scholar – A program for students interested in learning about and getting involved in social justice issues. I also work as an office assistant in the financial aid office of John Carroll University.

Other facts: I have been in the US for almost three years. I am from Kigali, Rwanda, and now live in Hudson, Ohio. Coming to the US has been more than a blessing. I have been presented with very many opportunities, some as big as the gift of an education and a variety of other opportunities that come with it, and some small as learning how to use a washing machine, learning how to drive and going to the gym, to mention but a few. Best of all, I have an amazing American family and community that care about me. I can’t be grateful enough.

Interests: Dancing, hanging out with friends, working out, art (drawing and designing)

Random “likes”: Coffee, fragrances, lipstick, clothes, hair stuff

I have lived in Aurora, Ohio, with my host family for three years. I graduated from Walsh Jesuit High School in 2016, and I now attend Cuyahoga Community College and recently completed the English as a Second Language Certification.

My plan is to study nursing, because I like to help others who cannot fend for themselves — also because nurses can work anywhere, which means I can work in the United States or back in my country. Overall, the education I have received in the US has been very beneficial and I have learned new skills that I never knew I had.

My hobbies include dance, playing basketball and singing.