Internships: Aegis Trust  
Location: Kigali, Rwanda 
Program: Summer Social Impact Internship (SSII) Fund
Major: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Hometown: Kigali, Rwanda

Why did you choose your internship? 

I chose to intern at Aegis Trust because of their dedication for preventing genocide and fostering peace. Founded in response to the horrors of the Rwandan Genocide, Aegis Trust works tirelessly to promote human dignity and prevent mass atrocities worldwide. Within this broader mission, their impactful work on gender equality and positive masculinities caught my attention. I was drawn to the idea of being part of an organization that addresses deeply rooted gender norms and advocates for inclusivity and social justice. This internship provided a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful change in my community while gaining invaluable experience in gender research and advocacy.

What skills did you develop?

Throughout this internship, I have developed several valuable skills, including:

• Research and Data Analysis: I’ve delved into comprehensive assessments and analyzed data related to gender norms and societal attitudes, sharpening my ability to draw meaningful insights from complex information.
• Communication and Collaboration: Working closely with diverse stakeholders, including local leaders, civil society organizations, and community members, has enhanced my interpersonal skills and taught me the importance of effective communication.
• Project Management: Coordinating and managing various project activities has given me hands-on experience in ensuring the timely and effective implementation of initiatives.
• Advocacy and Public Speaking: Engaging in public campaigns and dialogues to promote gender equality and positive masculinities has built my confidence in speaking out and advocating for crucial social issues.

How do you think this opportunity will impact your career path, future goals and/or academic path at Princeton? 

This internship has been transformative, reinforcing my commitment to using my engineering background to tackle social issues and advocate for gender equality. It has provided me with a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding gender norms and the significance of community-driven initiatives. 

Moving forward, I plan to integrate these insights into my academic work at Princeton, pursuing opportunities that allow me to leverage my technical skills for social impact. This experience has also inspired me to explore further research and career paths that intersect engineering, social justice, and public policy.

What has been most memorable for you? 

One of my most memorable internship moments was participating in the Ubumwe Sports Initiative, aimed at promoting positive masculinities and fostering mutual respect and equality between boys and girls.

We organized a basketball game where boys and girls played together, a powerful way to break down barriers and encourage them to see and accept each other as equals. Witnessing the initial hesitations dissolve and observing the camaraderie and mutual respect that developed on the court was incredibly inspiring.

My favorite moment was when a young girl scored a basket and the boys cheered just as loudly as the girls, showing that they had started to view each other as true equals. This experience reinforced the power of sports as a tool for social change and highlighted the importance of creating inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive.