When Ezra Kubwimana grew up, he was doubtful about the opportunities he would have in life. A birth defect left him with one leg that was short and non-functional due to phocomelia syndrome, a condition that causes the malformation of limbs.
He was diagnosed only at the age of seven, and the doctors his family consulted advised the family to have the young boy’s leg amputated.
Despite his family’s support, Kubwimana experienced discrimination, leaving him with little hope that he would have a life like other children. “As a child, other kids would call me names and treat me differently,” he recalls, adding: “I was treated differently.”
However, his parents were determined to provide him with opportunities, and their quest in 2007 led them to HVP Gatagara, a centre based in Rwanda’s Western Province’s Nyanza district, dedicated to the care, education and reintegration of people with disabilities in Rwanda.
Kubwimana’s education
Parental support, coupled with the centre’s encouragement, helped Kubwimana to feel confident that acquiring an education was possible – despite his disability.
At the centre, he got a prosthetic leg and it has allowed him to lead an active life, almost similar to that of his peers who live without any disabilities. Kubwimana’s family also contacted a foundation which, at the time, collaborated with HVP Gatagara.
This was the Liliane Fonds, a Dutch NGO that was created in 1980 as a special fund for children and young people with disabilities in developing countries.
“It is the foundation that covered my medical expenses, including the costs for my amputation surgery and prosthesis, and also paid for my school fees, from primary to secondary,” Kubwimana said. He completed his primary schooling in 2015 and his O-levels at HVP Gatagara in Nyanza district in 2018 before he enrolled in HVP Gatagara in the Huye district in the Southern Province, where he completed his A-levels in 2022.
Whereas Kubwimana could benefit from formal education, informally, the time Kubwimana spent at HVP Gatagara restored his hope in the future. It was not until then that he realised that joining a university was also possible.
University life
Throughout his journey, Kubwimana’s academic achievements were exceptional. With the support of the foundation and his unwavering determination, he successfully completed his schooling.
Today, Kubwimana is a proud university student. He is in his second year at the University of Rwanda’s College of Arts and Social Sciences where he is studying towards a degree in accounting and corporate finance.
“Being in an environment with my disabled peers made me feel at ease and supported. After succeeding in my studies, I earned a scholarship to the University of Rwanda on merit and I am studying without any hindrances associated with my disability,” he explains.
Discovering sports
Kubwimana’s passion for sports began at a young age. Initially, at primary school, he was drawn to amputee football, at which he quickly excelled, demonstrating a natural talent.
His skills in amputee football opened doors to even greater opportunities and, soon, he found himself playing sitting volleyball. He is currently playing for Rwanda’s national sitting volleyball team – a significant milestone after years of training.
“I signed a professional contract with the national sitting volleyball team, [in 2023],” he says, stressing that his commitment to improving his abilities both on and off the field has made him a key player, representing his country with pride.
“Playing on the national team has been a huge achievement for me. I’ve worked hard to get here, and it’s a testament to my perseverance,” he adds.
Balancing academics and athletics
Balancing university studies with a demanding sports career is no easy feat, but he manages it through discipline and time management.
“As a student-athlete, it’s a constant juggling act. I work hard to catch up on the time I miss when I’m training or competing. I often ask my classmates to update me on what I missed, and I dedicate extra time to studying on my own,” he explains.
He credits the University of Rwanda for its support of students with disabilities.
“The university provides us with necessary accommodation, such as accessible facilities and connects students with opportunities to join sports teams. This support has been invaluable in allowing me to succeed, both in the classroom and on the volleyball court.”
The impact of sport on his life
Sports have not only shaped Kubwimana’s physical and mental strength, but have also helped him financially. His athletic career, he says, has allowed him to cover the costs of his prosthesis, which can be expensive to replace.
“The cost of a new prosthesis ranges between US$300 and US$600, and it needs to be replaced regularly,” he notes. “Playing sports has enabled me to pay for this on my own, and it has also helped me cover my living expenses. Without the extra income, surviving on just US$30 of scholarship per month would be difficult.”
Moreover, Kubwimana’s sports career has allowed him to support his family. “Through my achievements, I’ve been able to contribute to building a decent house for my parents. I also have a chicken farming project that my parents manage, which helps us generate additional income,” he explains.
Achievement and recognition
Kubwimana’s sports career has been marked by numerous accolades. In 2021, while playing for the Huye District amputee football team, he helped lead the team to victory in the Championship Cup. Later, as a member of the national sitting volleyball team, he contributed to winning a bronze medal at the African Volleyball Championship.
But the true value of his athletic journey, according to Kubwimana, lies in the personal growth and self-reliance it has fostered. “Sports have given me more than just medals. They have helped me achieve independence and contribute to my family’s well-being,” he notes.
“Besides, sport is like a medicine, especially for persons with a disability. It helps me get busy, feel relaxed and boosts my mental and physical mood, which makes studying easy. So I would say sport helps me achieve academically,” he adds.
Kubwimana is also an advocate for people with disabilities in Rwanda as his life story serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that, with resilience, determination and support, it is possible to overcome even the most significant challenges.
Eugene Twagirimana, the advocacy coordinator of the National Union of Disability Organisations of Rwanda, emphasised the importance of policies that support people with disabilities in education, sports, and employment.
“What is being done for people with disabilities is not a favour,” he says, “it is their right. Their success, as seen in individuals like Kubwimana, shows the potential people with disabilities have to succeed and contribute meaningfully to society.”
Kubwimana’s journey is one of resilience, hard work and triumph. From overcoming the challenges of a disability to excelling in both academics and sports, he has proved that, as he puts it in his own words, “limitations are only barriers if we allow them to be. I know there is a lot we can do to encourage young children with disability to overcome stigma and pursue their dreams.”
By
The Editor
