Contents :
1. Global challenges and related solutions1. Street children2. Climate change3. Unemployment and dependence on government jobs4. Drug and alcohol abuse among young people2. Rwanda’s challenges and related solutions1. The quality of school meals2. Placing pupils in distant schools3. Deforestation in Rwanda4. Gender imbalance in certain professions3. If Bonette were President of the World4. Bonette’s dream world in 2050
François Régis, 22, lives in Kigali, Rwanda. Born and raised on the outskirts of the capital, he has spent much of his life in an urban environment. François is studying transport engineering at university.
Bonette hails from the Nyabihu district in western Rwanda, where she was born and raised before moving to Kigali at the age of 10. She appreciates life in the capital, not least for the opportunities the city offers, such as access to quality education. She completed her secondary education at Action College, where she specialised in languages, particularly German, and aspires to continue her studies in Information Technology (IT) at university, focusing on software development. Bonette is inspired by her uncle, also in the IT field.
When she talks about her time in Germany as part of a school programme, she expresses her admiration for the simplicity of life there, the free universities and the social support. She has made friends with a local family, who are encouraging her to return for her studies. “I really love Europe,” she confides, while emphasising her attachment to her native Rwanda.
1. Global challenges and related solutions
1. Street children
Bonette identifies the problem of street children as a global emergency. She points out that these children, often aged between 2 and 12, are numerous in every country and are forced to beg in order to survive. She describes their situation as profoundly unfair: “They also have the right to study, to develop their skills and to receive basic care. In her view, inaction on this issue is not only hampering their future, but also that of societies.
Solutions :To solve this problem, Bonette proposes active government policies. She suggests that governments take charge of these children by integrating them into foster homes or special schools where they can receive education and care. “It would be good if governments built boarding schools for them, where they could be fed, educated and supervised. She also calls for financial support for vulnerable families to prevent this phenomenon at source. “If parents are helped, there will be fewer children on the streets.
2. Climate change
Bonette sees climate change as a major global challenge. She points to deforestation and industrial emissions as the main causes. She deplores effects such as increased drought and disruption of ecosystems.
Solutions:She recommends a combination of strict regulations and education. “Governments should punish those who cut down trees without permission and encourage tree planting. With regard to polluting industries, she suggests that the authorities impose alternative production methods to reduce harmful emissions. Finally, she calls for communities to be made aware of the importance of protecting the environment.
3. Unemployment and dependence on government jobs
Bonette notes that many people are waiting for jobs to be created by governments, which is adding to global unemployment. “Many people finish their studies but don’t have the entrepreneurial spirit. They wait for the state to find them work. She sees this as a consequence of a lack of training and incentives for innovation.
Solutions:She proposes education campaigns to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. “Governments should teach people how to create their own businesses and generate ideas. She also suggests funding business incubators and simplifying administrative procedures to encourage local initiatives. “People need to have confidence in themselves and be motivated to take risks in order to succeed”.
4. Drug and alcohol abuse among young people
For Bonette, drug and alcohol abuse is a pervasive problem, particularly among young people. “Drugs and alcohol are destroying young people’s futures. Many fall into it because of family problems or depression”. She is concerned about the long-term impact of these destructive behaviours on individuals and societies.
Solutions:She proposes awareness campaigns in schools to educate young people about the dangers of substances. “Schools should show students the consequences of drugs and alcohol. She also insists on the role of parents in supervising children and on strict punishments for recalcitrant users.
2. Rwanda’s challenges and related solutions
1. The quality of school meals
Bonette is critical of the poor diet in public schools in Rwanda. “We always ate the same meals, like manioc. It wasn’t good for our health. She also points to the lack of drinking water in schools, which exacerbates the living conditions of pupils. “The children drink dirty water, and that’s not good for their growth.
Solutions:She is proposing government intervention to subsidise state schools and improve the quality of meals. “The government should provide financial assistance to schools to offer varied and nutritious meals. She also suggests setting up programmes to provide drinking water for pupils. “If schools had clean water and balanced meals, children would be healthier and perform better.
2. Placing pupils in distant schools
Bonette believes that the remoteness of state schools creates health and logistical problems for families. “Children are sent to schools a long way from home, which complicates everything, especially in an emergency. She points out that this creates stress for the children and additional costs for the parents.
She proposes bringing schools closer to local communities to reduce travel and facilitate access to education. “If schools were close to people’s homes, it would be easier for everyone. She also recommends strengthening school infrastructure to provide on-site health services: “Schools should have clinics so that sick pupils can be treated without having to go home.
3. Deforestation in Rwanda
Bonette notes that cutting down trees for firewood and charcoal is threatening Rwanda’s ecosystems.
Solutions:She advocates strict penalties for illegal clearing and educating communities about the importance of preserving forests. “The government should punish those who cut down trees without permission and encourage planting. She also suggests promoting alternatives to coal, such as renewable energies.
4. Gender imbalance in certain professions
Bonette notes an imbalance in professional opportunities for women, such as the lack of female motorbike taxis. “I’ve never seen a woman driving a motorbike here. That shows a real imbalance.”
Solutions:She is proposing programmes to encourage women to enter professions considered to be male-dominated. “Women should be supported so that they can enter all professions, without restrictions”. She also recommends campaigns to raise awareness of gender equality: “Women and men should be on an equal footing in all areas”.
3. If Bonette were President of the World…
If Bonette were to become President of the World, she would implement the following series of measures as a matter of priority:
- Taking care of street children: Protecting street children would be Bonette’s top priority. It would put in place comprehensive policies to take in these children, provide them with shelter and access to education.
- Reforming education and simplifying access to grants: Bonette would like to ensure that all children have the opportunity to pursue higher education, whatever their background. She would create scholarships accessible to all those who need them. “Many young people dream of going to university, but are blocked by administrative or financial complications. I want to simplify the process so that any deserving student can get a scholarship easily.”
- Strengthening global security and promoting peace: Bonette believes that peace and security are essential conditions for a prosperous future. “I want to ensure that every country and every citizen feels safe and secure. She would establish a global network of well-trained police forces to monitor and prevent conflict. She also stresses the importance of dialogue between leaders and citizens: “To convince people to live in peace, presidents must have honest conversations with their citizens about harmony and peacemaking.”
- Supporting poor communities: Bonette wants to ensure that no-one is left behind, particularly in remote villages. “There are so many poor families who don’t even have enough to eat or who can’t send their children to school.” It would allocate funds to provide direct assistance to these communities, ensuring that all children have access to free education and that families receive financial support to meet their basic needs.
4. Bonette’s dream world in 2050
In 2050, the streets of major cities are no longer filled with children left to fend for themselves; every child now has a loving home and access to education. Governments around the world have built educational centres where young people receive not only knowledge, but also training to develop their talents.
The world has managed to stem the climate crisis. Forests have been replanted thanks to global reforestation campaigns, and polluting industries have adopted innovative green technologies. Renewable energy is powering cities everywhere, and urban areas are dotted with green spaces.
In this world, young people are no longer forced to depend on public employment. Governments have launched vast programmes to promote entrepreneurship and innovation that have transformed societies, making each individual more responsible for his or her own destiny.
Education, a pillar of development, has also undergone a revolution. In every country, public schools offer balanced meals and drinking water. Children no longer spend hours travelling to distant schools; modern schools, equipped with medical services, are available close to every home. Gender equality has also progressed, with a significant proportion of women in all categories of employment.
Bonette, now 45, leads a fulfilling life in this transformed world. She lives in Kigali, in a five-storey house surrounded by greenery. Her home is immaculately white, with contemporary furniture and carefully selected works of art. A large garden with a swimming pool and a well-stocked library are her favourite places. In the morning, she wakes to the sound of birds and opens the curtains to admire the view: a green valley dotted with modern houses and tall trees.
Bonette lives with her husband and their three children. Her family is her greatest joy. She ensures that they are well educated and protected from the dangers of the world, while instilling in them the importance of work.
Professionally, Bonette is an accomplished software engineer specialising in software development. She runs a development company based in Kigali. After driving her children to school in her big pink and white car, she heads for her office. On the road, she enjoys the quiet of the city and is amused by the scenes of life she comes across: smiling, enthusiastic schoolchildren in uniform, or passers-by laughing at a shared joke.
Holidays are a special time for Bonette and her family. Every year, they travel together to a ‘paradise’ destination. This year, they want to go to Ibiza in Spain, where they can enjoy the beaches, swim in crystal-clear waters and share moments of joy as a family.