Shadadi is Rwandese but was born and raised partially in Uganda after her family moved due to the 1994 genocide. As a child, Shadadi lived at her grandmother’s farm on weekends and holidays and developed a passion for agriculture while learning how to grow crops. She later attended the Gashora Girls Academy of Technology and Science, where as captain of the Debate Club she helped lead her school’s team to win the East African Debate League, presenting to more than 1,000 students from Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. She explains, “Debate is not arguing, it’s discussing matters. It builds a person’s confidence and critical thinking. I like seeing girls being brave, I’m a feminist and I like to see women who can stand up and speak in front of a thousand people.”
Shadadi heard about EARTH University through a counselor at her school and decided to apply because “EARTH is one of the best agricultural universities in the world, and I know that I will gain skills that I can bring back to Rwanda and improve development in my country. We need good food that can be brought to world markets and that can only be accomplished with a strong agricultural base. I want to see Rwanda become a leader in coffee exportation.”
