New Light Junior Nursery, Rwanda
IMPACT STORIES
"We want to see more women pursuing their dreams and businesses"
Empowering Female Entrepreneurs in Rwanda
Jane Akimana’s passion to work with children took root at an early age.
“I lost both my parents by the time I was five,” she says. “I was fortunate because my uncle raised me and my three siblings. I always said to myself, ‘Let me do something with my life so that, one day, I can support as many children as I can to be happy and secure.’”
The importance of a good education was instilled in Jane by her uncle, brothers and sisters. After completing her degree in Rwanda, she was offered the opportunity to go to Tamil Nadu, India, to do further studies.
“My brother offered to pay for my scholarship, so I couldn’t refuse,” she smiles. “I took three degrees in India. The first was a bachelor’s in business administration with computer application at Sri Ganesh College. I also pursued a master’s degree in commerce with computer application at AVS College of Arts and Science, both affiliated with Periyar University. Then I got an MBA in banking and finance at Alagappa University.”
Her studies were eye-opening. “An education makes you broaden your horizons and think beyond what you are already doing,” she says.
Her attention was also taken by people’s attitude to work and commerce.
“I saw the way they did business with full hearts and were committed,” she says. “It made me determined to live life the same way.”
Jane returned to Rwanda in 2014 and began to save money to open a nursery.
“I was fully confident I could do this successfully,” she says. “My experiences in India made me believe I could do anything.”
Jane opened New Light Junior Nursery in the Gasabo district of Kigali in 2016, together with her husband, who owns 50 per cent of the business. Jane says she is fortunate to have a husband who supports her and helps with her business and the raising of their three children.
“I wanted to give children a good start in life,” she says. “Having lost my own parents, I knew how important it was for young people to feel loved. Children inspire me. This was my way of giving back.”