Rays of Hope School in Karongi District has launched a Russian language course aimed at equipping Rwandan citizens with language skills, cultural knowledge, and new opportunities for academic, professional, and international cooperation.
The official launch ceremony was presided over by the Vice Mayor of Karongi District in charge of Social Affairs, Mrs. Umuhoza Pascasie, and brought together representatives from the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Rwanda, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Kibuye Hospital, Rwanda National Police, Rwanda Polytechnic Karongi College, the National Identification and Security Service (NISS), local authorities, and the leadership of Rays of Hope School.
The course is designed for beginners with no prior knowledge of the Russian language. It aims to develop students’ language, communication, and socio-cultural competencies by introducing them to the basics of the Russian language, helping them overcome communication barriers, and enabling them to understand Russian culture, history, and way of life.
The programme is organised by the Academy of Labour and Social Relations (Moscow), funded by the Russkiy Mir Foundation of Russia, and supported by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Rwanda. It is implemented under the broader initiative “From Kigali to Moscow: Learning Russian”, which provides Russian language learning opportunities in Kigali and Karongi.
In Karongi, the programme is being implemented in partnership with Rays of Hope School, which supports the organisation and hosting of the activities.
Speaking during the launch, Rev. Ndayishima Jan Berkmans, one of the initiators of the programme, said the idea was inspired by his experience living and studying in Russia.
“I lived in Russia and had the opportunity to learn the Russian language. I realised that Rwandans can also benefit from learning this language, considering that it is spoken by millions of people around the world,” he said.
He added that the programme will help learners communicate effectively in Russian while creating opportunities to understand Russian culture and strengthen cooperation between Rwanda and the Russian Federation.
The Vice Mayor of Karongi District in charge of Social Affairs, Mrs. Umuhoza Pascasie, commended the initiative, describing it as an important opportunity for Karongi and Rwanda as a whole.
“Learning a new language is a valuable opportunity. Students will not only learn how to speak Russian but will also be able to use this knowledge in business, education, and other income-generating activities. Knowing a foreign language increases opportunities to interact, exchange ideas, and compete in the global market,” she said.
Representing the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Rwanda, Consul Alexander Sizov said the programme reflects the strong cooperation between institutions from Rwanda and Russia. He noted that the initiative was established through collaboration between the Academy of Labour and Social Relations in Moscow, the Russkiy Mir Foundation, and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Rwanda.
Students who joined the course expressed optimism about the opportunities it will create.
Ihirwe Rodrigue, a student at RP Karongi, said learning Russian will help students improve their ability to communicate internationally and prepare them for future academic and professional opportunities.
“After completing our studies, knowing Russian will help us interact with people from different countries, especially when we travel abroad. It will also strengthen our competitiveness in the international labour market,” he said.
Mukeshimana Jeremie, another student at RP Karongi, said the language will also help students understand technical materials and equipment produced in Russia.
“Some machines we use are manufactured in Russia, and their catalogues are written in Russian. Learning this language will help us understand and use such equipment more effectively,” he said.
The course will be conducted over five months, with classes held three times a week. Students who successfully complete the final assessment will receive an official certificate from the Academy of Labour and Social Relations.
The initiative is expected to contribute to strengthening educational, cultural, scientific, and business cooperation between Rwanda and the Russian Federation while creating new opportunities for Rwandan learners.
Gashonga Jean Claude
