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United by Unique

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Dec 15, 2024 on Karisimbi Volcano with other 4 volcanoes in the background! Photo by Khris Educates It was around 2 PM on a Saturday in 2022. We were attending the wedding of an old brother from our neighborhood, someone who had been a pillar of our childhood adventures. He had always been our leader, our protector. Four years ahead of me in school, I remember how, as a first grader, I would get into fights during break time and run to him in fourth grade for safety. No one dared to touch me when he was around. He also was the one who led us into the forest to collect firewood, the one who took us swimming in nature's pool! Inzenga! Those were the golden days, and this wedding was a reunion of all those cherished memories.  While catching up with childhood memories, someone brought up their cousin who had also grown up in our neighborhood. I had spoken about this cousin before when I shared why I chose to advocate for cancer patients . The conversation, though set in a joyful atmos...
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An Open Letter to Dearest Cancer Patients

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Breast Cancer Awarness Month 500KM Bike Ride Day 3 -Photo: @IAmMugenzi Dear Cancer Patients,  It's me again! I have been refining my mission statement toward journeying with you since 2022. You may call me Mugenzi . I walk, hike, bike and capture a #1000Hills of Rwanda, and I am on a mission to create a physically active community that is engaged in cancer awareness, advocacy, research and social support! My heart is still with you, and I can repeat what I said at the World Cancer Day 2022 ! I hope you thrive, with your family and support system, as you fight that battle because you are not alone. Thanks to the oncology nurses, doctors, and social workers who have been fighting with you, and on this healing journey! I also remain thankful for all those generous donors, funders, passionate policymakers, advocates, and fellow researchers who have been doing all possible work, in their capacities and expertise, to ensure that there is an improvement in the health systems toward cance...
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Why I Choose to Advocate for Cancer Patients

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  Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence - Photo by Aimable Uwimana It was not too long ago when our home's best civil engineer died of stomach cancer. He had no formal education but he demonstrated a level of integrity I have cherished for years. I came to know him at the age of 6 when he was, with other local engineers, building our home's fence. It has been 19 years and the fence is standing strong. While it has had to undergo usual maintenance, I can attest that he did not pilfer nails, bags of cement, paints or sand like some other individuals do; an unfortunate reality contributing to infrastructure challenges in Africa. This inadvertently affects Universal Health Coverage, given that there is limited healthcare facility development, and existing facilities are hard to reach due to a lack of infrastructure. I am glad, from his experience, I learned about integrity! Shortly before the COVID19 pandemic, his daughter reached out to me to ask if I would support her dad in getting...
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Nature Photography - Therapy Amidst the Episodes of Pandemic Lockdowns and Curfews

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  It was at the start of Covid lockdowns in March 2020 that I realised I remained with mother nature as the only friend within reach whereas family and colleagues were distanced from by the pandemic. I needed therapy for anxiety, stress & pressure caused by the pandemic alongside the research challenges for my Master’s thesis [ presented at the (AORTIC) International Conference and published at the Journal of Clinical Oncology ], and the uncertainties of getting back into the business world while applying and networking. It’s through walking, hiking and biking I was able to take care of myself and use the most feasible therapy at the time - photography. In the process, I  was able to embrace the beauty of nature and could capture moments, which I didn’t keep for myself; but ended up sharing to the family, friends, and colleagues I was distanced from and the world on social platforms like WhatsApp, Twitter, and Instagram. You might have missed a healthy timeline :)! I love...
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World Stoke Day 2019 #DontBeTheOne

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Wake up and #DontBeTheOne Son, go and get your passion with discipline, courage, and determination. That time in a relaxed morning, with a smile on your face, when you take a shower and get ready to go to work—school, job, meeting, conference, among others—after being obedient to the inner boss (inner voice). Not forgetting a healthy work environment and scenery of Rwanda Volcanoes from a window view.  Courtesy: World in Data With the same experience some week ago, I was facing the giant as usual and got time to go through some sources—Thanks to the internet. Scrolling the page, the usual thing to do, I paused minutes on the picture above to extend my understanding of the global burden of disease. If you cannot believe it, I will let you know that according to the World in Data , in 1993, the total burden ratio of communicable disease (communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) was 1:1, meaning 1.16 billion a...
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