Scholarship / My country Rwanda has seen huge progress in various sectors these past couple of peaceful years... [3]

Highlight what you believe to be the most important issue facing your country today (for example, economic, education, healthcare, social or public policy) and articulate how achieving a Bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto, through the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, will empower you to tackle this issue and related challenges, in your home country.

My country Rwanda has seen huge progress in various sectors these past couple of peaceful years after Genocide against tutsi in 1994.However big issues are still facing Rwanda today.

In particular, Rwanda's economy has a poverty circle with a big number of population,low income levels, low investment that leads to low levels of productivity. About 65% of the total population live below poverty line because the majority of the total population are poor subsistence farmers who grow crops and rear animals just to feed themselves and their families in rural areas.

Furthermore, Rwanda's Youth statistical indicator states that unemployment in the country is highly increasing since 2000 and 42% of whose age is between 14 and 35 years are either unemployed or working or working on seasonal small scare agriculture.

Since July 2000, Vision 2020 is the official long-term vision of our government and September 2009,the government launched the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy,which is a mid term framework building upon the development aspirations of vision 2020 and the Millennium Goals (MGDs).

To get there,Rwanda must transform from a subsistence agriculture to a knowledge based society. Considering that the Rwandan youth remains the main resource of the country, Rwanda will never be able to achieve its economic visions if a large number of its youth is not highly educated.

Winning this scholarships will be of help to me and my country as well. I strongly believe that obtaining a Bachelor's degree of commerce at a highly reputable university like U of T which has professors who are some of the World's top researchers and most accomplished business professionals will contribute greatly to my country. I'll be equipped with world class entrepreneurial knowledge and connections to navigate business challenges and take advantage of new and emerging opportunities in my country.

I want to be a social entrepreneur who uses digital technology especially in education moreover,i'm planning to work hand in hand with the government to ensure that the youth develop the critical thinking capabilities that can be translated into entrepreneurial ideas for employment creation in the country.

That will power Rwanda to prosperity and create millions of jobs for youth to improve society and impact future generations.

Consequently,High levels of savings and private investment will also reduce country's dependence on external aid.