Reflections on Rwanda Convention Dallas TX 2025

This year’ Rwanda Convention was held in my home state Texas, only 4-hour drive from my home town Houston, I was meant to partake in it.  

Texas, also known as the Lone Star, is the second largest state in the USA, with a population of 31 million and 26 times larger than Rwanda. Size doesn’t matter, impact does, Rwanda shines big! Over 2,000 attended this event, mainly Rwandan Diaspora, friends of Rwanda from all over the globe including government officials and business representatives from Rwanda.

I met a friend who never misses this kind of gathering and I asked her: “What holds us together when the world feels uncertain, divided and fast moving?” She paused and then looked me in the eye, “we Rwandans are people with shared Ubuntu- humanity, Ubumwe -

Unity and Umurage - heritage” She went on to say, as Rwandan diaspora, we are scattered all over, but we are connected by purpose. Being here these few days reaffirms we belong, we are connected and we are determined to shape the future we want for Rwanda, our country.” Right away I knew this was going to be a major life-changing experience and it was.

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The event was excellently organized under the auspices of the Rwanda Embassy to the USA, that encouraged all Rwandans to uphold and live within our cultural principles, gleaning on our history. The closing of Kwibohora (after 100 days) was marked with celebration through dance, song, speeches and drama, reflecting on the incredible 31 years of resilience.

The following day, the Convention opened with a powerful and unifying panel discussion titled “Reaffirming Rwandan Values: Staying Connected to Deliver the Future We Want.” The panel consisted of:

Olivier Ndahungirahe: Rwanda, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Philbert Haragirimana: Community Elder

Sheba Rugege: Community Leader

Philippa Kibugu Decuir: Founder, CEO Advocate Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa (BCIEA) Inc. Yours truly.

The conversation revolved around the importance of preserving and protecting Rwanda’s identity, promoting investment, and engaging in national development. Being part of this panel was a significant milestone for me. As someone who has dedicated the last 17 years to advocating for breast health, awareness, and support, I felt truly honored to sit on this opening panel alongside such esteemed voices.

You can Watch the full panel here

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The discussion highlighted how Rwanda’s post-genocide revival is rooted in three core values: Ubuntu (compassion), Ubumwe (unity), and Umurage (heritage). This resonated with what my friend had shared with me upon my arrival. These values serve as both symbolic and practical tools for healing, progress, and continuity, precious lessons I can pass on to my family as we navigate a rapidly evolving geopolitical and cultural landscape. Rwanda has so much to teach the world.

The panelists delved into how misinformation and distorted narratives, especially in digital spaces, pose a threat to our hard-won peace and shared identity. This underscored the vital role of the diaspora as truth-tellers, culture bearers, and agents of change. It was emphasized that the youth carry this responsibility and must be empowered to take action.

I felt immense joy and pride when I had the opportunity to highlight one of the most celebrated moments of the panel: the Rwandan government’s announcement of free treatment for all cancer patients under the Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme. As a 30-year Patient Advocate, this achievement deeply moved me. It not only reflects Rwanda’s political will but also its commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable through systems that prioritize equity and access to care.

This is the kind of policy progress that many countries only dream about—and Rwanda has truly made it happen. I was so inspired that I decided to teach the audience the BCIEA slogan: IKUNDE, IMENYE, ISUZUMISHE, and it was met with great enthusiasm. Another proud moment came when we discussed Michael Fairbanks’s work at Akagera Medicines and their current clinical trial for a breast cancer vaccine in Senegal. As the only majority African company in this field, Akagera Medicines showcases the growing confidence and capability of African-led biotech in global health, proudly owned by Rwanda.

A recurring theme in our discussions was the need for the diaspora to engage more deeply and intentionally—not just by sending money home or building houses, but by actively participating in nation-building.

The panel stressed that the diaspora should:

- Mentor and empower the next generation

- Defend the truth about Rwanda’s history and progress

- Invest in community-driven solutions

- Use their lived experiences to shape inclusive policies, health initiatives, equity, and innovation.

Lived experiences, like survivorship, can significantly influence governance and policymaking. As a 31-year breast cancer survivor who witnessed my sister's struggle due to a lack of awareness and access to healthcare, I felt compelled to create BCIEA, not just as a project, but as a beacon of hope for my community. Securing a seat at the table is a significant achievement for patient advocacy.

We had a chance to exhibit our work, programs and tools at a our booth during the convention and had the honor to share our space with one of our partners ISONO Health, who have developed a transformative, first of its kind Ultrasound Breast Screening device (ATUSA) powered by AI, which we were able to showcase and were joined by their CEO Neda Ravazi and clinical application specialist Brittany Kimble.

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Overall, I felt incredibly honored to represent civil society as a patient advocate and to contribute to the social movement we’re nurturing through BCIEA. Standing alongside policymakers and respected elders, and being invited by Mathilde Mukantabana, Rwanda’s first female Ambassador to the U.S., to speak on such a platform, was a powerful affirmation of Rwanda's gender policy and what it means to truly belong and be heard. I shared how 1994 marked the beginning of my own survival journey. The connections between personal healing and national restoration are striking and certainly not coincidental.  Resilience isn’t about avoiding pain; it’s about finding purpose in the midst of it.

I can’t help but share the incredible work we’re doing at our Pink Wellness House in Kigali. We’ve welcomed countless women from rural areas seeking cancer treatment, many of whom would otherwise have to sleep on hospital porches. We provide free, locally made knitted breast prostheses and have recently introduced AI-powered screening tools along with youth-designed comic books to bust myths and encourage early detection. These grassroots efforts truly embody Rwanda’s broader development approach: community-driven, values-based, and forward-thinking. We have impacted over 45,000 Rwandans and counting!

It really does take a village. The energy and applause we received were not just for us, but for all the supporters, survivors, advocates, volunteers, and those quiet champions who remind us that we’re never alone and that we can always make a difference, no matter how far from home we are. Teamwork is essential.

As we continue to build bridges across continents, let’s remember that the future we envision will be shaped by how boldly we uphold our values today. “Let’s not wait for the perfect moment to start. Let our values guide us home. Let our connections be our compass.”

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