Since the first COVID-19 case was reported in Rwanda, I have been working as a contact tracer. I always refer to contact tracing as,“ The starting point of the journey of identifying and treating COVID-19 cases.” Along with my team, we do a daily follow up on contacts of COVID-19 confirmed cases through phone calls, identify symptomatic cases and refer them to the epidemic response team for evacuation; We as well sensitize our contacts to test for COVID-19 and advise them on self-isolation for 14 days, we follow-up to know if they are doing it well and not putting their families at risk. We also produce a daily report to facilitate the data scientists to keep up with the status of COVID-19 in the country; this helps policymakers to create informed decisions.

I am indebted to this life experience for making me part of a multidisciplinary team and giving me the opportunity to serve my country. I am certain that with appropriate contact tracing, Rwanda will be able to win the battle against COVID-19.

I have been working as a Blood Donor Mobilizer and Selector for the past ten years. I constantly tell donors over and over "You have the precious gift of life, you are bringing someone, somewhere, back to life. There is no substitute for what you are giving and there is no price tag that can apply to it".

I like to personalize the importance of their donation to open their minds more to what happens with the blood after they donate. For instance, I will tell them the story of a mother who received life saving blood from a donation during childbirth.

I have developed strong relationships donors, many of which I know their names. For new donors, I make sure I take the time to read their card and learn their name. Simple details like smiles and conversation with them as they are in the midst of giving blood have made them feel appreciated and valued.

I graduated in Medical Imaging at the National University of Rwanda and later I received a 6-month training on how to operate radiotherapy machines. As one of the Radiotherapy Technician’s at Rwanda Cancer Centre, there are different types of cancer that we treat, for example cervical, brain tumors, breast, prostate, rectum, and more. I am grateful that this is an opportunity to serve Rwandans and I am also happy that my knowledge about cancer improved greatly.

I have been living with diabetes for the last 26 years. I was diagnosed before diabetes care was accessible to all in Rwanda. Diabetes has been my worst enemy, but I figured out that the right attitude for me was to make my diagnosis my best friend. With improved access to healthcare services, I believe that there is a greater chance for not only surviving but thriving with the disease.

In 1998, I donated blood for the first time. I was curious to know my blood group, and they told me its O negative, which is really rare. After responding to a radio spot asking people to donate a few years later, I started to donate regularly. Now I have donated 105 times. That is my contribution to the nation. Blood is not a gift that you can buy. Knowing that I have a rare blood type that can help people in need motivates me to stay healthy. For me, donating blood is a noble calling.