Seven children whose parents were killed during the Rwandan genocide in 1994 have been given the chance of a better future by NCC Education.

They five men and two women are embarking on a new chapter in their lives after receiving backing from the Manchester-based provider of British-style education programmes worldwide.

The Didsbury-based business is sponsoring them as they take an International Diploma in Computer Studies at the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, which is the first technology-focused institution of higher education to be created by the Rwandan government.

Last year, Marcelle du Rand, NCC Education’s business development manager, visited Rwanda and was dismayed to discover that every person she met had lost one or both  parents.

“At NCC we try our best to attend graduation services at institutions that use our services and it was during one of these services when I met so many students who had been orphaned following the genocide,” she said.

“I was in total shock when I started speaking to people, it was very hard. I kept asking students if they had lost their parents and they all replied 'yes'.

“Eventually, my hosts actually had to say to me that I shouldn’t keep asking, as it is a given that most young people in Rwanda have lost family members.

“It was just heartbreaking, and when the director of the centre, Jerome Gasana, told us that seven orphans would not be able to afford to study, we granted each a sponsorship. Now they are taking their first exams.”

The group, all aged 20 to 26, are determined to pave a better future for themselves.

One of the students, Thomas Ntakirutimana, 22, said: “My life here in Rwanda is very difficult.

“I have no-one who can support me to find the materials I need to study or other things, so it’s very difficult. But, thanks to this sponsorship I can study, and I hope to be able to help other children who are in need. The course is very interesting and I hope to look for a job in networking or software development.”

Marcella Mukamudenge, 24, said: “The life here is very hard and I couldn't find the money to study, including materials and transport.

“I really hope I can carry on with my studies because I am really enjoying it and I would love to have a job in hardware or web design in the future. I’m very grateful to NCC Education for the sponsorship and for giving me this amazing opportunity.”

Marcelle says she hopes to extend the sponsorship programme to other students.

“We are also speaking to large businesses which would also like to sponsor students who otherwise could not afford a decent education. This is our way of giving something back.”

During the Rwandan genocide mass killings were prompted by ethnic tensions between the minority Tutsi people, who had power for centuries, and the majority Hutu people.

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